First International Nurses arrive in Hornsea for training

We are thrilled to announce that we have recently welcomed our first cohort of internationally recruited Nurses, who are training locally within Hornsea Cottage Hospital for a period of 4 weeks.

To make this possible, we have changed the use of the vacant ground floor space at Hornsea Cottage Hospital, which is currently funded by the East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The space has been transformed over recent weeks into a dedicated and fit for purpose NMC Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) training facility.

Within this project, we have also developed a unique educational programme and pastoral support hub. This is a website that was designed specifically to support international recruits when joining our Trust to train as a Nurse in the UK.

As well as professional support around the programme and training itself, the website also provides details about our Trust, the local areas, the language, and useful information about living in the UK.

We are proud to say that our website has been recognised and celebrated at regional and national level.

Hilary Gledhill, Executive Director of Nursing, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The Nurses are a fantastic addition to our Trust, with many years of nursing experience which will greatly enhance our services. I look forward to watching them grow and develop their careers with us and welcome the diversity they bring to our workforce.”

Our International Nurse Recruitment project is part of a wider programme within which we work with 5 other Trusts – Tees Esk and Wear valley, South West Yorkshire Foundation Trust, Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber and Bradford District Care Trust – to collaboratively recruit International Nurses.

The International Nurses joining in this cohort are qualified with many years’ experience working within their home country.

We feel lucky to be able to support them, to make the transition in working as a Registered Nurse in the UK.

Christabel, Trainee Nurse, said:

“I am very grateful for the opportunity offered by the Trust and to the International Recruitment team who made it a smooth path, from interview to arrival in the UK. The team are so welcoming and, above all, kind-hearted, which made the stay very comfortable. The places here are very fascinating, especially the sea view. I am very happy to be a part of this team.”

Nontokozo, Trainee Nurse, said:

“I am happy to be part of a caring team who put patients needs at the centre of everything, who let you grow as a person and get the chance to pursue a career by furthering my studies.”

Following the programme, the Nurses will take their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) exam and, if successful, will be added to the NMC register.

Once registered with the NMC, the first cohort of Nurses will go on to work in our services in Hornsea and Malton.

This is fantastic news given the shortage of nurses on a national level, bringing diversity and talent to the area, and repurposing a space previously unused.