Last year’s group of newly-qualified staff at Livewell Southwest celebrated their completion of their Preceptorship this week with a presentation and special lunch.
The group of nurses and occupational therapists have spent the last 12 months since gaining their degrees working as preceptees in their chosen field, such as mental health, community or hospital setting. Preceptees are newly-qualified healthcare professionals who work and transition from student to Registered Professional under the supervision and guidance of an experienced colleague.
Dawn Slater, Livewell’s director of clinical practice and development, told the graduates: “Many congratulations to you all on this achievement – I am really proud of all of you. I loved being a nurse myself, and I love the way Livewell Southwest values the difference you as nurses and therapists make when we are looking after people at their most vulnerable.
“I’m proud that as an organisation we offer a scholarship programme for nurses, and that we have embraced the trainee nursing associates programme with 50 people employed on that now.
“Our commitment to education and continued professional development, alongside our culture of valuing what our staff bring as individuals, helps us achieve a 1% vacancy rate in nursing – a fantastic figure when you look at the national issues with recruitment.
“You now know what it means to be a registered nurse, and if you look at our amazing managers, you will see some fabulous role models who are great examples of where your career can take you.”
Attending on the day were:
Gemma Stacey, Tavistock DN team, Charlotte Northmore, North CMHT, Claire Wellfair, AOS, Amy Meade and Jessica Adams, Tavistock Hospital, Zoe Mathison, East DN team, Olivia Lawes and Frankie Lopez, Glenbourne, Natasha Bearcroft, North DN team, Jessica Box, Plymbridge.
Unable to attend were:
Abigail Matthews and Lucy Watson, occupational therapists with Community Recovery team, Lucy MacKenzie-Black and Marie-Claire Nsana, Plymbridge, Gemma Ruston-Ley, West CMHT, Kayleigh Smith and Michelle Connolly, Syrena, Naomi Berridge, Greenfields, Elizabeth Poundall, Edgcumbe, Jody Brooks, Glenbourne, Emma Tibbetts, Lee Mill and Clarrie Shuter, treatment clinic.
Natasha Bearcroft works in the North District Nurse team, and came to the profession as a mature student. “I’d worked in a nursing home and then with special needs children and just reached the point where I wanted to develop a career. My jobs had always involved caring for people, so nursing seemed a natural choice.”
Natasha joined Livewell after completing an access course and degree. “I chose community nursing as I feel you can get to know the people you care for and can give that really personal, holistic support. It’s been a great year – it’s flown by and I’ve had fantastic support from the team.”
Olivia Lawes graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in mental health nursing, and loved the placement she did at the Glenbourne unit. “I always wanted to work in healthcare, and particularly in mental health, so I’m really loving my work on Harford ward. Marie Rossington, my preceptor, and everyone at the unit has been really supportive – it’s great to have completed the training though!”
Jessica Adams, who is now registered nurse at Tavistock Hospital, did various jobs, including caring for a lady with disabilities, and travelled before deciding to study nursing at university.
Jessica knew she wanted to be ward-based, and said: “Working in a community hospital is a really great experience. You get to know the patients well and support them as people, not simply patients.
“I feel that Livewell has the structures in place to enable me to learn and be the best nurse I can be, and I feel really supported.”
Joining the celebrations were Coral Styles, Queen’s Nurse and Professional Lead, and Helen Sykes, Placement Development Manager.
