Celebrating globally educated nurse promotions!
We are celebrating 4 of our globally educated nurses who have received band 6 roles. They have achieved their promotion within 2 years of joining the Trust.
Meenakshi, Roy Jr Rafael, Remya Rajan and William Mizira are now band 6 nurses. Band 6 nurses hold roles like junior sister, charge nurse, and senior staff nurse.
We have supported and employed 100 globally educated nurses since the NHS' international recruitment programme began in 2022.
This number is due to rise to 180 once the next round of sponsorship is complete.
The recruitment programme helps NHS organisations to increase and develop international employment.
Globally educated nurses bring a significant range of diverse skills and a new perspective on healthcare.
The Trust ensures that globally educated nurses receive support with high quality pastoral care. They have access to support and supervision. globally educated nurses also have guidance on promotions and how partners can secure employment.
Globally educated nurses join the Trust as a band 4 nurse. They work on the wards and within the community. They receive a promotion to band 5 once they receive their Nursing and Midwifery Council pin.
Nurses receive help and support to progress within the Trust. They can complete training courses and receive mentorship. They can apply for band 6 roles and beyond.
Jayne Couzens is the Trust's international recruitment manager. She says:
"The community is becoming more diverse. The NHS must follow.
"By recruiting globally educated nurses, we are diversifying our teams. We are learning new ways of doing things. Nurses can share valuable skills and experiences with one another. This had led to a positive impact for patients."
Our globally educated nurse recruitment and band 6 promotions are a good example of the NHS People Promise in action. We strive to ensure we work towards the People Promise core pledges every day, such as being a compassionate and inclusive employer, that is always learning and ensuring that our workforce is valued and rewarded.
Meenakshi
Meenakshi is a band 6 nurse at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital. She works on the community assessment and treatment unit. Meenakshi has been nursing for 4 years and completed a masters in mental health.
Meenakshi explains about her move to Cornwall and gaining her band 6 position:
"I graduated as a nurse in India and practiced in one of the biggest hospitals in India, in the trauma unit. I had always wanted to come to England to experience nursing in a different country and use my skills and knowledge.
"In India hospitals are dominated by the doctors. The nurses are more the labour workforce. Although we are very skilled in India and the education is very good, in England, nurses have more of a voice."
Upon arriving in Cornwall, Meenakshi was taken care of by Jayne Couzens. She says:
"We were supported by Jayne all the way through the process. Arriving in a new country with no friends or family could have been very scary. Jayne made sure we were looked after and arranged everything for us. We had housing, food, uniform and even were taken to the hospital to see our new workplace. Jayne even helped with travel and transport!"
Band 6 promotion
Meenakshi explains how she gained her band 6 promotion.
"When the same day treatment centre opened there became more opportunities for band 6 promotions. My manager asked if I would be interested in the promotion."
"My colleagues helped me to prepare for the interviews. I was so grateful that everyone was giving me lots of encouragement."
"I had the interview and was offered the band 6 role in December 2024. I am thankful to have the opportunity to progress and challenge myself."
Watch Meenakshi's interview: