Trainee nurses benefit from experienced mentors at Essex hospitals
'Having more nurses with years of experience passing their knowledge on will help our trainees develop essential skills a lot quicker.'
Nila Chauhan is a legacy nurse helping to train the next generation of staff at hospitals in Essex
Submitted by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee nurses at Essex hospitals are enjoying the benefits of having an experienced mentor.
A new project at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has seen experienced staff members mentor 60 trainee nurses to improve care for patients.
Known as legacy nurses, they are former or current nurses who are drawing on their years of experience to help the next generation of nursing staff.
Nila Chauhan, a legacy nurse at Southend Hospital, said: “We are handing our wealth of knowledge to the nurses of the future.
"Having more nurses with years of experience passing their knowledge on will help our trainees develop essential skills a lot quicker, making patient care better.
"I remember being a student and how busy the ward can get, so would have loved this support of a dedicated mentor when I first started. This is my chance to give back to the NHS for the skills I have learnt over the past 37 years.”
The legacy nurses will keep in touch with trainees throughout their placements by visiting them on wards, and help guide trainees to become registered nursing associates after their two-year nursing degree.
The legacy nurses have already been introduced in hospitals in Southend-on-Sea and Broomfield in Essex, with one at each site.
There are also plans to have one at a hospital in Basildon, Essex as well.
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