To ask any MN nurses their advice on working in NHS or private, and which is better?

[QueenOfTheKippax]

DD2 has just finished her nursing degree.

She's applying for loads of jobs and has applied to NHS and lots of private care homes.

What should my advice be about which one to take? Which area is it better to work in and what are the pros and cons of each?

It's so much harder to get jobs in nursing now than it was years ago when I qualified. Even then only the cream of any intake could hope for jobs in acute ward.
However, there is a shortage of nurses in London. If she is willing to go there it's likely she will get what she wants in the NHS. Wages are similar but promoted post come along a lot more often.
On the negative side conditions are often quite harsh due to staff shortages. Also, promotions gained quickly in London are often viewed
with suspicion in other parts of the country.
Personally, I did this and came back to my home city. I now work at a lower grade than I did but I am in my preferred field and location.

There is so much competition for jobs now. You have to be willing to travel. Does your DD drive? If not I would try to make that a priority (I appreciate not easy when not earning yet) as it will open up so many more opportunities. I would also encourage DD to go back to the placements where she has applied for jobs and not been successful and request feedback on her application. Maybe one of her former mentors would be willing to sit down with her over cofee and give her some suggestions for things to include in applications or interviews. I have been happy to do this for students myself in the past. Is she on the NHS bank? It's a great way to network and get your face known on all the various wards. It means she can then ask the ward managers for references and can write about her experience as a support worker on her applications.

where abouts in the uk will she be looking for work op ? i,m an RMN [ although not worked for a yr or so ] lots of oiur students were getting jobs in the private sector ie private secure units as there were just no jobs in my trust [north west of england]

Yes where are you OP?

I don't usually recommend it but it may be worth getting her to read the advice on this thread. There are lots of us with experience on here and you've got some great advice.