OK... It all sounds basically fine. I've tinkered with it a bit below. The things I've changed are in bold, so you can see where they are. Not sure what you want to say at the end, because I'm not entirely sure what exactly you're writing it for... See if this helps at all, anyway.
Since qualifying from the University of the West of England in Bristol a little over 3 years ago, I have had a good variety of experience. As a newly qualified nurse, I worked in the Bristol Royal Infirmary on Ward 15, an upper GI surgical ward, a job I very much enjoyed and which I was very sad to leave. I particularly valued the fact that the job offered such a broad spectrum of patients of different dependencies and a real variety of nursing challenges. I also gained valuable experience in helping to run the ward. Just prior to my [otherwise it could sound as if it was the manager who was leaving!] leaving, my line manager was keen for me to undertake my E grade perceptership.
However, due to personal circumstances, a year after starting on ward 15 I moved to London and was fortunate enough to be offered a job on the intensive care unit in St Thomas' Hospital.
In this position I was given the opportunity to undertake a 'Transition' course which serves as an introduction to the intensive care environment, enabling competence in many of the different aspects of intensive care.
During the time I have spent on the unit I feel I have become a competent and a experienced practitioner in many of the aspects of intensive care, including endotracheal tube care, tracheotomies, suctioning, ventilation and weaning, heamofiltration, sedation and inotropes. I am also very keen to maintain my standards of good basic patient care, which all too often can be lost in the technological environment of intensive care. Simple measures can prevent a whole host of complications for the patient and also help to ensure their comfort, which should always be paramount.
Likewise, my skills in patient assessment have become much more advanced during my time in this post. I feel that using a variety of auscultation and palpation skills I am better equipped to ascertain and identify aspects of the patient's condition, and that I have an improved ability to note deteriation in patients.
I also feel that this type of environment is conducive to team working, working closely with radiographers [not clear why Radiographers had a capital letter but physiotherapists didn't], physiotherapists and medical teams, which I feel has greatly improved my multidisciplinary communication skills. Similarly, visitors often require a much higher level [?? higher level is a bit unclear to me... It could sound like the opposite of what I think you mean. I think you mean that communication is particularly important in these circs, that sensitivity and clarity are paramount. Is that right? But 'higher level' could imply using a lot of technical terms and incomprehensible medical vocab... But I'm not an expert, so only change it if you think it needs it] of communication and information when their loved one is in hospital. The issue of confidentiality often has to be addressed, which can be very difficult at times. However, as a nurse I always have to act as the patient's advocate. I feel this has given me a very good grounding in [or understanding of] this area.
Also, as communication with patients in intensive care, who may be under some degree of sedation or ventilated, can be so hard on both parts, my skills have been required to try to find methods of communicating with them. This can include pen and paper, alphabet boards, computer 'speaking' equipment, and to a degree, when all else fails, lip reading.
Unfortunately I have not yet been able to undertake my mentorship course, which is very much something I would like to achieve. This I feel [I'd delete 'I feel' personally. This is more of a fact than a matter of opinion.] is mainly due to a period of maternity leave up until July this year. I had the opportunity to begin the course prior to leaving Bristol, and would have the opportunity to do so in London in the new year. If I were successful in this application I would be very keen to ensure I gain this important qualification.
I have had some good experience of working alongside students both on the ward and on the [in?] intensive care. I find I get good feedback from students I work with and they are often keen to work with me again, which is a lovely compliment. I am very keen not to patronise or intimidate my students. I can remember times where I felt this way during my training and it was not conducive to good moral and learning. [I agree with paolosgirl about this bit. Perhaps change to 'Thinking back to my own training, I try to draw on the positive examples provided to me by more experienced nurses, in order to offer my own students an experience which is positive in terms of both morale and learning' (perhaps a bit wordy... summarise a bit?).
In recent months I have been carrying out some shifts on the wards with the hospital's nurse bank. This is mainly due to my wish to return to the wards, where I feel I would like to progress with my career. I enjoy being able to communicate fully with my patients, which I do feel adds more to the nurse-patient relationship, making the job more fulfilling.
Hope this helps a bit. Sorry if I've been over-critical (this is what I do for a living, more-or-less). It goes without saying that most of my suggestions are just suggestions. In the end, only you know what you want to say, so adapt or reject my changes as you see fit.
Oh, and good luck. I'd give you a job on the basis of this any day!