Drop-in session for nurse apprenticeship scheme at hospital

A new apprenticeship scheme is being launched to help the next generation of nurses achieve their dream career.

The West Norfolk Cohort aims to attract nursing students to work in the area along with helping health or social care assistants to train to become registered nurses.
King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) have joined forces on this scheme, which is hoped to increase the number of nurses working in West Norfolk.

Potential candidates will be able to learn more during a drop-in session at The Inspire Centre, which is close to the hospital’s roundabout, on Saturday (March 4, 10am-4pm).

Emma Hardwick, director of nursing at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: “Nursing is an incredibly rewarding career and West Norfolk offers a wealth of opportunities for people to progress and make a difference.
“The hospital is currently running a number of initiatives to increase the numbers of nurses in West Norfolk, including Grow Your Own. Four of our clinical coordinators are currently working on a honours degree in pre-registration degree. By investing in our existing staff we are helping to equip the workforce of the future.”

Nursing students are being encouraged to complete their training at the hospital or other health organisations in West Norfolk with the hopes of attracting them to work in the area after their qualification.

Debbie Beresford, deputy director of nursing, from NCH&C, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for nursing students to get experience of the world of work and to recognise the opportunities available to them.”

For more information on the drop-in session contact apprentice coordinator Amy Haynes on 01553 214620.