Baptism of fire for new nurses

Newly-qualified nurses are facing a baptism of fire as they prepare to plunge head first into the battle against coronavirus.

From this week, up to 40 whotrainedthroughattheUniversity of Sunderland will take up frontline roles at hospitals across the North East.

It will see them join ward teams for the first time since completing their training as the NHS faces an ‘unprecedented need for more healthcare workers’ in the struggle to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“Everyoneofournurseshas nowbeenemployedbythehospitaltrusttheyhavebeentraining with,” said Gill Maw, team leader and principal lecturer for undergraduate Nursing and Paramedic Science.

“They officially started their new roles on Tuesday, March 24 and we are very proud of them at this particularly challenging time.”

The latest group to pass through the course at Sunderland is only the second ever cohort to graduate from the university’s School of Nursing.

Their ages range from 2141, includes two males nurses, and their training included study alongside the university’s trainee pharmacists, paramedics and biomedical scientists, as well as student medics from the new medical school.

As well as the Sunderland Royal Hospital and South TynesideDistrictHospital,the recruits will also be heading to Newcastle’s RVI and Freeman Hospital, as well as facilities in Northumberland,CountyDurham and Teesside.

Sue Brent, head of the university’sSchoolofNursingand HealthSciences,said:“Wecongratulate all of our April 2017 nurses who have completed their studies, and will now be entering the NHS workforce.”