Instead of the usual induction to nursing, eight apprentices, who successfully graduated from the scheme earlier this month, are putting their skills to good use on the frontline of Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
The graduates will join different wards throughout Newcastle Hospitals, including Critical Care, Cardiothoracic and Endoscopy wards, with many of them being redeployed to help in the COVID-19 response.
Wendy Parry, Critical Care Nurse at Newcastle Hospitals, was among those who have qualified.
“It’s quite nerve-racking to start at such an unprecedented time, but I am so proud to be able to do my bit in the fight against Coronavirus.
“I’ve always dreamt of being a Nurse and it’s been a long time coming for me, after stepping away from my Nurse Training six years ago to start a family.
“The degree apprenticeship scheme is a great opportunity to use your background experience and skills to improve and develop your nursing career further,” she said.
The government Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship scheme was announced in 2016, enabling people to train to become a graduate registered nurse through an apprenticeship route for the very first time.
Working in collaboration with Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria University was approved by the Nursing and Midwifery council to deliver the UK’s first 18-month nursing degree apprenticeship, which began in September 2018.
Mauyra Cushlow, Executive Chief Nurse at Newcastle Hospitals said: “Our nursing graduate apprentices will be directly involved in hands on clinical with patients from day one and they should be highly commended for entering the profession at this challenging time.
“They will be fully supported in their roles by our nursing teams and their peers and we are incredibly proud of them.
She added: “As well as empowering and supporting our talented Healthcare Assistants to develop and qualify as registered nurses, this 18-month apprenticeship gives us the perfect opportunity to grow our own workforce.”
“I wish every success to the apprentices and I’m sure they will make a huge impact in their roles during this challenging time.”
