Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has recently welcomed three overseas nurses to the team who have completed the Adaptation programme to become Band 5 Registered Nurses.
The Health Board runs the Adaptation programme to support nurses from overseas in gaining their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) pin which means they can practice as a registered nurse in the UK.
Having successfully completed the programme Christine John, Maureen Burrows and Sonia Elias are now working as nurses across the Health Board.
Christine started the Adaptation Programme in October 2018 and completed it in six months while working as a Healthcare Support Worker. She said: “You feel really well supported on the course and they help you every step of the way to get through it.
“While I was a HCSW I worked on A1 which is a Medical Decision Unit and as a busy ward it really helped me to gain the skills and experience I needed while I worked towards NMC registration. I am still working there as a qualified nurse and have enjoyed my experience there.
“I would definitely recommend the Adaptation course to other overseas nurses that are working towards their NMC pin. You get support while working within the Health Board and as much as it can be tough it’s very rewarding to complete it.”
The Adaptation programme is split into three parts and educates and supports participants through the process. Part One is a Fundamental Skills programme covering areas such as Infection Prevention and Control, Nutrition and Mental Capacity. Participants also work closely with tutors from Cardiff and Vale College on English preparation, with workshops held to practice the English language in clinical based scenarios before an Occupational English Test.
Parts Two and Three test the NMC competencies and include a computer based test on the theory of nursing followed by the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), a practical test with four stations following the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation, and two skills stations.
When Maureen came to the UK in 2009 she felt that she didn’t have the confidence to undertake nursing straight away. She started as a Healthcare Support Worker to learn more about the health sector which she says boosted her confidence.
Maureen found the Adaptation programme good, and said: “They taught us the skills that we need like how we do the paperwork and that is helpful because when I started the course I kind of knew what to do already. It helped me to understand what the nurses do and the teams. I felt really supported during the course, they are understanding and encouraging and tell you that you can do it. I would recommend the programme and have told people to keep an eye on the website to look out for the open days that the Health Board have.”
Sonia Elias joined the Adaptation programme to complete her OSCE as she had already completed the first two parts. She said: “I joined the course in January for the OSCE training and then started training in Llandough to learn my skills. I managed to get so much extra training as there were only a few of us until the day I went for my exam which was really helpful. I was working in B6 at the time and I am still there and really enjoy it. I would definitely recommend the Adaptation programme to others as you get the support and help to learn and develop.”
Liz Vaughan, Clinical Facilitator at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “We are very proud of our nurses that have completed the Adaptation programme and are now valued members of our nursing team. Three have now passed and there are a further five students taking their OSCE in June, and another four at the very early stages of preparation who we are hoping will be sitting OSCE in the summer.
“They have done the course, including a lengthy NMC application process, whilst working hard on the wards as Healthcare Support Workers to develop their skills and expertise, which is a testament to their passion and commitment to becoming registered nurses in the UK.”
All participants are supported with a five week preparation course by Cardiff University with further support from the Health Board’s clinical facilitators in the Learning, Education and Development team.
Once all elements are successfully completed, individuals can register with the NMC and gain employment with Cardiff and Vale UHB as a registered Band 5 Nurse. Nurses continue to receive support at ward level with a five week supernumerary period and preceptorship for the first 12-18 months to continue their development.
For further information on the Adaptation Programme contact [email protected]
