Publish date: 29 February 2024
International nurses celebrate 20 years at North East NHS trust
A group of international nurses recently celebrated their 20th anniversary of working for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
This cohort of nurses were recruited in 2004, many of which were working in hospitals in Singapore and the Philippines.
This milestone anniversary prompted them to have an evening of celebration to look back over the years and reflect on the achievements they’ve made in both their professional careers and personal lives.
On arrival to the UK, the trust supported them by organising accommodation and helping them to get settled into life in the North East.
For their first six months working at the trust, they were each assigned to one of our hospitals across the region and worked under a mentor so they could create a portfolio of clinical practice. After their six-month sign-off, they then became fully qualified and many were joined by their families from overseas to build their lives here.
Their original mentors were invited to join them in the celebrations as they played a fundamental role is the beginning of their careers at Northumbria Healthcare.
Ruthie Cuaycong, nurse practitioner, is one of the nurses who was recruited 20 years ago.
Talking about the celebration, she said: “It was a really successful evening, and we had a lot of fun. It felt so great listening to everyone’s stories, and it was heart-warming having the opportunity to catch up.
“We do all keep in touch with each other and two of my closest friends today are those who I shared accommodation with when I first came to the region.”
Also in attendance at the celebration was Birju Bartoli, Chief Executive, and Marion Dickson, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, and Executive Director for Surgery and Community Services.
Marion Dickson said: “I was delighted to receive the invite to take part in their celebrations. To see first-hand the bonds that they have formed with one another over the last 20 years is something special. I have no doubt this will reflect in the relationships they have built with other colleagues and patients.
“Our international staff have moved across the world to work for our trust and care for our patients which shows their commitment to providing high quality care.
“I am proud that our trust celebrates a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the society we live in today.”
In 2023, the trust restarted the international nurses scheme and has welcomed nurses from India, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
Louise Alexander, social media and digital assistant
louise.alexander@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk or 0191 203 1662