September 14, 2017 3.00 pm This story is over 77 months old

Meet Lincolnshire’s 83 newly qualified hospital nurses

A welcome boost.

More than 80 newly qualified nurses are beginning work at hospitals across Lincolnshire this week.

The nurses, who have recently graduated from the University of Lincoln, will be posted at Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital in Boston and Grantham and District Hospital.

Lincoln nurses

The 83 new nurses will receive a preceptorship induction, before starting in their new roles in wards and departments.

Michelle Rhodes, director of nursing for United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted and excited to welcome this group of new nurses into the trust.

“We hope that they enjoy working in our wards and departments as they settle in to life in a busy hospital. We will provide them with a huge amount of support and guidance as they start their careers as nurses.

“This is also great news for our patients, as these new nurses will be increasing nurse staffing numbers in key areas.”

In total, 49 of the new recruits will be starting work at Lincoln hospital, with a further 28 heading to Pilgrim, five going to work at Grantham and one at Louth.

The intake will be a welcome boost in Lincolnshire hospitals, where there are currently 240 vacancies for registered nurses.

The University of Lincoln provides pre-registration degree courses in both adult and mental health nursing. Once qualified, graduates become Registered Nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Dr Sharon Black, director of nurse education at the University of Lincoln, added: “The start of these nursing roles within one of our local NHS trusts represents the culmination of three years’ hard work in the complex, demanding and rewarding area of adult nursing.

“We work very closely with our NHS partners to help shape the course content while they are at the University or on placements in hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes or community settings. This helps our newly-registered nurses to be able to jump straight into the field when they graduate.

“We are delighted that more than a third of our cohort are taking jobs with ULHT, and keeping vital skills in the local area.”