Trust celebrates Nursing Associate Trainees

On Friday 17 May 2019 the first group of Nursing Associate Trainees to complete their course at Oxford University Hospitals was brought together at an event to celebrate their achievements.

A Nursing Associate is a new type of professional care worker, with higher skills to assist, support and complement care given by registered nurses - a new role which we believe is fundamental to the nursing family.

Health and social care employers and higher education institutions have come together to support the development of the Nursing Associate role across the Thames Valley.

Thames Valley Nursing Associate Partnership offers Nursing Associate Trainees a two-year quality education and training programme, both in a university and a practice environment.

The programme is full-time, at academic levels 4 and 5, with one day each week at Oxford Brookes University and nine weeks' clinical placement each year, with clinical support and guidance via nominated supervisors.

At the event, in one of the Trust's lecture theatres, the Trainees listened to speeches from their colleagues, the Practice Development and Education Team, an inspiring talk from Jilly Heath, a supervisor of one the Nursing Associate Trainees in Trauma, and Raymond Atienza Hawkes, a Charge Nurse supporting one of the Trainees. Associate Chief Nurse Andrew Carter made the final closing remarks, wishing the Nursing Associates well in their future career.

There was recognition too for the mentors who have supported them on their journey, with Jaswinder Sami from Ward E, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, winning an award; and a special recognition award was presented to a Trainee who had made significant progress and overcome particular challenges whilst studying - Kimberley Embling from Sobell House.

After the presentations the close-knit group gathered in the Academic Centre's Foyer for tea and cake and a group photograph.

Find out more about the role of Nursing Associate Trainees here