Student Nurses take a step forward
Thursday 23 April 2020
From left to right: Siobhan Zagajewski, Charis Bower, Lauren Powell, Dannielle Dobb, Alexander Walker, Liliana Gabbiadini, Oliver Tull and Chris Daurge
Stepping forward to help the NHS frontline are six student nurses from Leeds Beckett University. The team has been recruited early from their studies to start working for Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust as Aspirant Nurses.
The role of Aspirant Nurse is open to student nurses in the final six months of their programme who opted into the nationally led Student Nurse Volunteer Programme. The programme was set up in response to calls from NHS England for up to 18,000 student nurses across the country to assist during the current coronavirus crisis.
The role allows student nurses who would have graduated this September to begin to use their knowledge and skills appropriately during the crisis, whilst progressing their nurse education training.
The Aspirant Nurses will be supported by a specialist team of experienced nurses from the Trust and will be working out and about in the community to support vulnerable patients, often in their own homes, to keep them safe and relieve pressure on the hospitals.
Siobhan Zagajewski, Clinical Education Lead said:
“We are really pleased to have our first wave of students, who all came from Leeds Beckett University, on board. I have been impressed by how committed and keen they are to come and support at this difficult time.
Our experienced nurses and the education team at LCH, in partnership with the university will be supporting them every step of the way, to make sure they are working at an appropriate level and that they feel competent and confident to undertake activities.”
Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor, said:
“Community nurses have a vital role to play as the country continues to adapt to lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.
Our six Aspirant Nurses who will be working with Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust are joining an inspirational team providing an invaluable public service in these incredibly challenging times.
For all those working with people affected by Covid-19, our thanks and gratitude go out to them all.”
