Trainee nurses add to Shopshire and Telford hospitals
More than 20 ward assistants working at Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin's main hospitals have enrolled on a trainee nursing programme.
Twenty one healthcare assistants have made a career move to join the two-year programme run in partnership with Staffordshire University as part of efforts to train and recruit more nurses.
The trainee nursing associates will work alongside support workers and qualified registered nurses to deliver hands-on patient care.
They will study at the university one day a week while also undertaking full time service at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford.
Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital Trust's lead nurse for education and quality Helen Coleman said: “We are delighted to have recruited from our existing healthcare assistants workforce, this shows the depth of talent we have in the Trust. This is the third cohort of trainee nursing associates and they join the existing 18 trainees already doing the programme.
“The role has the potential not only to transform the lives of those in need of health care, but also to provide a very clear career progression for those undertaking the programme.
“Successful completion of the course will see the students graduate with a foundation degree and a professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.”
The Nursing Associate Programme was created in order to support the shortfall in nurses and to combat the difficulties in recruiting to qualified nursing posts.
The trust has also launched its 'Golden Ticket' scheme in bid to increase recruitment which has resulted in more than 30 student nurses being offered such tickets, meaning they are guaranteed a job following graduation on condition that they pass.
SATH's director of nursing Helen Jenkinson, said: “The recruitment of nurses is one of the biggest challenges that faces SaTH, along with hospital trusts across the country. It is, therefore, important that we look at innovative new ways of attracting nurses to our trust.
“Nursing is a wonderful vocation, and we value the contribution that our students make very highly indeed. Through the Nursing Associate Programme and by developing the ‘Golden Ticket’ we hope to grow more of our own nursing workforce to further enhance the care that we give for the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.”
More than 100 staff nurses have joined the trust since the beginning of the year.
