University Hospitals Plymouth and Livewell Southwest are celebrating as the first group of trainee nursing associates from both organisations registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
A celebration event was held in the Derriford Centre for Health and Wellbeing which saw the nursing associates from University Hospitals Plymouth and Livewell presented with their certificates as they joined the NMC register.
The event was opened by Jackie Williams, matron for Resuscitation & Clinical Education at University Hospitals Plymouth and Gill Miller, director of People and Professionalism at Livewell Southwest.
“…they have seized the opportunity with determination and real commitment.”
Following two years of training, nursing associates will work with health care assistants and registered nurses to deliver care to patients. The role is intended to address a skills gap between health care assistants and registered nurses, opening a new entry point into a fully registered nursing career. Nursing associates are trained to work with people of all ages in a variety of settings in health and social care.
The newly qualified nursing associates were presented with their certificates by chief nurse at University Hospitals Plymouth, Greg Dix, and deputy chief executive at Livewell Southwest, Dan O’Toole.
“You’ve all done amazingly,” said Greg. “You’ve all worked so hard to get here today and I’m so proud of each and every one of you.”
Dan O’Toole, said:
“Today’s event celebrated the achievement of a group of people who can truly be described as at the forefront of improving patient care.
“Through their dedication and hard work, Livewell Southwest are proud to be one of the first organisations in England who will benefit from the skills and experience that the Nursing Associate programme has enabled. I think they should be proud of themselves and I am excited and looking forward to the working with them in the future.”
Dawn Slater, director of Clinical Practice and Development, Livewell Southwest said:
“The trainee nursing associate pilot has been an exciting and innovative introduction to a new nursing role within Livewell Southwest.
“It’s been amazing to see our trainees develop and flourish, and they have seized the opportunity with determination and real commitment. They’ve been incredible advocates for the role and we’re hugely proud of them.
“Our trainee nursing associates have developed their knowledge and skills and this coupled with their compassion have produced a professional and dynamic addition to our nursing workforce.”
