NHS staff are welcoming the first group of internationally-trained nurses, who will join the team after the first-ever targeted recruitment programme for Gateshead.
Four nurses from both India and the Philippines arrived in the North East this week to start work at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Before starting their new jobs, the nurses will receive assistance from a dedicated support team at the Trust, the international recruitment team, who are helping them integrate into living and working in a new country.
They are also receiving help from nurse educators, who are guiding them through the necessary education programmes to achieve Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration. Once they complete their bespoke induction they will join their colleagues on various wards including theatres, the surgery centre and gastro-enterology wards.
Talking about what they’re most looking forward to in their new roles:
Shajeela Haleema Beevi: “a bright career with a secure life”
Vanessa Albania: “new opportunities and experiences”
Jinu Jose: “exploring new things”
Nayana Srinivas: “to get registered as a nurse in the UK”
They will be joined by a further 12 internationally-trained nurses, who are due to arrive in Gateshead during 2022.
Gill Findley, chief nurse at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re thrilled and proud to welcome our first cohort of internationally-trained nurses to the Gateshead team. Every single new nurse that is successfully recruited to Gateshead makes a massive difference to our services and helps us continue to deliver the outstanding care we are known for.
We know our new recruits will make a huge difference with their wealth of experience and knowledge in nursing, and great expertise in patient care.
“Our work with internationally-trained nurses is part of our Trust’s commitment to bring in as many newly qualified and experienced nurses as we can to offset the local effects of national shortages. The difference they will make to our patients, as well as our colleagues across our wards and other services is immeasurable and we’re proud that they’ve chosen Gateshead.”
Anthony Harland, senior nurse for international recruitment, added: “We are delighted to welcome these new nurses to Gateshead. The international recruitment team that I work for, as well as all of our colleagues across the Trust, will be doing everything we can to make them feel at home over the coming weeks and months.
“The nurses will undergo a full, bespoke induction programme as well as ongoing support to help them settle well into their new jobs and lives in the North East.”
The aim of the international recruitment team is to facilitate the arrival of internationally-trained nurses to the UK, ensure that they are housed and have everything they need to begin their work in the Trust.