More support for newly qualified, local mental health nurses (Wakefield)

South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield has introduced a new programme to provide more support for newly qualified nurses, helping them adjust to their new role.

The programme, known as preceptorship, is a requirement of the nursing and midwifery council (NMC) and lasts at least 6 months. It is delivered in conjunction with a staff induction and provides a period of practical training under the direction or supervision of a more experienced colleague.

The benefits of the Trust’s preceptorship programme are that it reduces the stress a newly qualified practitioner, ensures responsibilities are not delegated too soon or inappropriately, helps nurses adapt to their new role and work environment and helps them become safe and confident practitioners. It also ensures the Trust continues to maintain the highest possible standard of care for people who use services.

Newly qualified nurse Beverley Wright who works at Fieldhead in Wakefield said, "It is very daunting when you leave the security of being a student nurse behind to become the qualified nurse helping to run a busy ward. I have found the nursing preceptorship package to be a useful tool as it is easy to follow and has cleared up a lot of the confusion I faced when I first started my new role."

Knowledge and skills framework manager Liz Sutcliffe said, "The transition from student nurse to qualified nurse can often be a stressful and intense learning curve. There are new tasks to learn, responsibilities to consider and the need to integrate into a team. The preceptorship programme enables newly qualified staff to orientate themselves to their new role in a supportive environment."