Two projects have been shortlisted in the Best International Recruitment Experience and the Best Workplace for Learning and Development Categories at the Nursing Times Workforce Summit Awards, which are to be held on the 22 November in London.
The Awards recognise the brightest talent in healthcare workforce planning in the NHS and healthcare sector. The first shortlisted project, which was part of a wider nurse recruitment programme, is an innovative international recruitment project in partnership with NHS Professionals International.
The programme resulted in over 100 nurses from overseas joining the Trust in November 2019 and this number has now grown to over 600 which has reduced the Trust’s nurse vacancy rate to less than 2%. The Trust also has one of the best first time OSCE nursing examination pass rates for overseas nurses in Yorkshire and the North East demonstrating the calibre of the nurses recruited and trained by the Trust.
The second shortlisted entry shines a spotlight on a bespoke education, training and development programme for newly qualified and aspiring nurse leaders within the Medicine and Pharmacy Services Department. The programme has created a pipeline for the appointment of future leaders. Elements of the programme are now being rolled out for wider use across the Trust.
Chief Nurse, Professor Christopher Morley, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised in this national nursing workforce award scheme. Both initiatives are exemplary projects and a testament to our innovative approach to investing in our nursing workforce now and in the future. Our international nurses are now a valued and respected part of the team here at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and have been invaluable in helping us to manage the impact of the pandemic and the demand we are now seeing as we try to catch up care which was paused during COVID-19. Well done to everyone involved in both projects.”
