Nurse education team thanked for “phenomenal” support

More than 90 nurses from across the globe have now been successfully employed at UHNM. The new recruits have a wealth of experience and are supported by the Trust’s nurse education team to become registered nurses. The team also provide invaluable pastoral support, helping staff settle into a new of life at UHNM and in a personal setting.

Helen Inwood, assistant director of education and workforce, said: “A national shortfall in the availability of qualified staff to work in clinical roles has been increasingly problematic over a period of over 20 years. Trusts have had to look at innovative and alternative pathways for recruitment into nursing, looking at alternative roles, training in-house and international recruitment.

“The nurse education team has been fundamental in the recruitment, training and integration of international nurses since 2021. Our lead nurse for international nurses and lead preceptors have not only given support from an educational perspective, they have also provided phenomenal pastoral support.  This has been during a time of increased restrictions and ever changing guidance related to Covid.”

A major part of the programme involves achieving a pass mark for the national OSCE (objective standard clinical examination). The last of the Trust’s 2021 intake have now completed this and are eligible for their NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) pin number.  

The team have been given the Chief Executive’s Award in recognition of their work.

Carol Lloyd-Bennett, senior nurse for education and workforce, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the team and a key indicator of the success of the programme is that the team have now employed two of the nurses from the 2021 programme as clinical practice facilitators within the team, against very tough competition. They will be helping to support and train our 2022 intake of 130 international nurses, alongside six displaced nurses from Lebanon.”