April 17, 2015 8.59 am This story is over 107 months old

Lincolnshire hospitals to take on 100 new nurses

Recruitment drive: Almost 100 newly-qualified nurses will be hired across the county as ULHT takes on the University of Lincoln’s first qualified cohort.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

As part of a recruitment drive by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT), almost 100 newly-qualified nurses will be introduced across the county.

Over two days, a team of senior nurses have welcomed final year nursing undergraduates from the University of Lincoln, who are due to begin working within the trust in September.

The students, who will complete their three-year degree courses at the university’s School of Health and Social Care this summer, were invited to discuss career steps, access support with applications and to take tours of different areas of the county’s hospitals.

The student nurses will be the first cohort to graduate since the university took over training for all Lincolnshire’s adult and mental health nurses in 2012.

They’re also taking part in a more comprehensive preceptorship induction programme which has included clinical skills workshops, portfolio development and medicines management.

Preceptorship is designed to support the transition from student nurse to registered practitioner, and to provide a structured programme of learning that includes classroom teaching, e-learning and supported work based learning.

The trust has recently been freed from its ‘special measures‘ status. But improvements in areas such as staffing are still required.

Linda Keddie, Acting Head of Nursing at ULHT, said: “All areas within Lincoln are eagerly awaiting the student nurses to qualify and to commence working within the wards and department areas in September.

“The transition from being a student nurse to a registered nurse working on the wards can be a significant step but we would like to reassure all newly qualified nurses of our full support and we look forward to the them commencing in post.

“Whilst this is a challenging time, it is also extremely rewarding after having trained for three years for this role.”

Dr Sharon Black, Director of Nurse Education at the University of Lincoln, added: “This summer represents a proud moment for nursing education in Lincolnshire. In partnership with Lincolnshire’s healthcare providers, the University of Lincoln is producing the next generation of caring and competent nurses who will perform vital roles in our hospitals and communities.

“Although all of the students have spent 50% of their degree programme working in practice, having the opportunity to meet those staff who will soon be their colleagues will really help them to feel part of the team and transition from being a student nurse to a registered nurse working in an organisation of which they can be proud.”