Nurses at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust were recognised for their efforts in supporting student nurses last week, at an event to celebrate one of this year’s cohort of nurses who completed the Learning Mentor Apprenticeship.
The programme, which was set up in 2019 following feedback from students and new employees for effective support, aims to develop the necessary skills and knowledge that staff require to provide the best support to student nurses and junior employees, helping them to make the most out of their clinical experiences and have a positive impact on patient care.
The event, which was held at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, saw over 20 nurses from across the Trust come together to celebrate their achievements on completion of the apprenticeship, awarding them with the recognition of an Accredited Mentor, following an assessment process. The celebratory event included a short presentation recognising their achievements followed by an award giving ceremony and refreshments.
Sarah Cullen, Chief Nurse at the Trust, expressed her pride in the achievements of the apprentices and their growth under the guidance of experienced mentors. She said: “I am incredibly proud of our apprentices and their achievements. Through the apprenticeship programme, our Trust is able to provide a platform for individuals to pursue their career aspirations, and it's inspiring to see how they have taken advantage of the opportunities presented to them. It's evident that our apprentices are motivated and enthusiastic, and their achievements are a testament to their dedication and hard work. As a nurse, it is fantastic to see the positive impact that our apprentices are having on patient care and their colleagues they work alongside, and I'm excited to see how they will continue to contribute to the nursing profession in the future.”
"I am incredibly proud of our apprentices and their achievements."
Currently, the Trust has 185 officially accredited mentors, out of which 65 have been promoted from the apprenticeship programme. The cohort has achieved the highest scores in the country, with two apprentices, Chloe Bullen, and Wendy Weaver, scoring 100% in their end-point assessments.
Jackie Higham, Head of Apprenticeships and Widening Participation at the Trust, added: “The achievements of the learning mentor apprentices are remarkable and are a clear indication of the success of the Trust’s apprenticeship programme. The success of this year’s cohort has set a benchmark for future apprenticeships and their contribution to the nursing profession, and I am extremely proud of all their dedicated hard work.”
The next cohort of apprentices is set to start on the 3 May, 2023. The apprenticeship has been growing in popularity, and colleagues across the Trust are dedicated to making sure the apprenticeship is tailored to meet the needs of the organisation, its staff and students by welcoming feedback. This supports continuous improvement to enable us to be effective and engaging whilst enhancing patient care.
