We are celebrating the vital contributions made by internationally educated nurses (IENs) to our patients.
The Trust recently held an event at Crossgate Church in Preston to thank nursing colleagues from abroad, who make up one-fifth of our inpatient nursing workforce.
Interim Chief Nurse and Quality Officer, Julie Anne Murray, opened the event by thanking the nurses for their contribution to patient care and also congratulated the newly appointed Chief Nurse, Oliver Soriano, who has made history by becoming the first person from the Philippines to be recruited as an executive nurse director in the NHS. He will officially begin in the role early next year.
Oliver, who attended the event, said:
“We have always recognised just how important each and every one of our nursing staff are, but it is right to acknowledge and show gratitude to the life-changing decisions that our internationally educated nurses have made to be with us here at LSCft
As an international nurse myself, I empathise with the sacrifice that these colleagues have made, potentially leaving friends, family and loved ones behind to start a new chapter overseas in search in search of a career and new opportunities."
Oliver added:
“This event was to show our internationally educated nurses how much we really value their commitment, say thank you on behalf of our patients and colleagues and to celebrate the outstanding achievements they have already accomplished.”
The event held celebrations for over 100 nurses who have successfully completed their Mental Health Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) training and received their Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) pins to become registered nurses.
Our workforce currently consists of nurses originally from an array of countries including from Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, India, Iran, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
You can find more information on recruitment opportunities for international nurses on our website.
