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The graduate scheme is my first full time job and I was attracted by the caring nature of the NHS, the excellent reputation of the graduate scheme and its high rating in the Times Top 100. (HR is rated number one)

I am on the HR specialism of the scheme, so I am currently working as a HR Advisor for a large acute Trust. I have my own areas for which I am responsible and am also given lots of project work to develop my skills.

Since joining the NHS, one of my major achievements includes writing a policy from scratch. It was very daunting at first, as I hadn’t been in my placement for very long when I was asked to do it. However, I’m now very proud of the work I’ve done and pleased that I was given the opportunity to do it.

I’m also proud of the way that I’m now relatively comfortable in my day to day role. I had no prior experience of HR, meaning that I have had a lot to learn in a very short space of time. The challenge was exciting for me and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

In the next 5 years, I hope to have consolidated my knowledge of HR to a standard where I would be working as a HR manager.

I was completely new to the NHS, having previously working in finance for large private companies. Everyone says you’re looked after with the NHS and this has proved to be very true, from the help you get with studying to the helpful attitudes of people in the places of work. I was also attracted by the nature of the work, and the opportunities to see things that I never knew existed.

I’m in Financial Services, helping administer tax and carrying out year end tasks to support the annual accounts.

As the scheme is led by you, there’s honestly no normal day - unless you want it! So today I’ve been reviewing next year’s capital development with one of the directorate accountants. Previously I’ve been responsible for compiling board reports (monthly) on the amount the Trust spends on agency, overtime and bank staff and monitoring the trusts current account. I’ve also improved the reporting on Trust vehicles, providing a clear view of all the relevant information. And I’ve raised the profile of the charities trust fund and hopefully got people in hospitals to make an effort to spend a hugely under utilised fund, for the benefit of staff and patients.

I aim to be an accountant in a position where I can make a difference – which is entirely achievable here. So firstly I need to pass my exams and gain the necessary experience essential to a higher level post. I’m also interested in seeing different aspects of the NHS, so I’d like to have gained experience across the range of services offered.