Thanks to the generosity of our donor community, Southmead Hospital Charity has been able to transform the lives of aspiring nurses and improve patient care.
Addressing the shortfall in trained nurses is one of the NHS’s most urgent priorities. With the support of our donors, the North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) has launched a groundbreaking Nursing Apprenticeship scheme, which will see ten talented healthcare workers become Registered Nurses.
Traditionally, the path to becoming a Registered Nurse has had many challenges, often requiring individuals to leave their full-time jobs or face significant financial hardship.
Charitable donations have made it possible for these dedicated individuals to continue working while studying at university, removing financial burdens and enabling them to support their families and patients.
Jakub, a staff nurse at NBT and beneficiary of a charity-funded nursing apprenticeship, shares how the apprenticeship helped him find his feet as a nurse:
“The apprenticeship took huge pressure off my shoulders. It suited my learning style and helped me to naturally transition to a new role in my workplace.
“I don’t think I could have done a nursing degree if the apprenticeship wasn’t available. The idea of learning on the job seemed like an ideal pathway for me as full-time studies wasn’t something I could afford in my circumstances at the time.
“I wanted to become a nurse to provide better, more holistic and comprehensive care for my patients. The nursing degree gave me skills, knowledge and valuable experiences which means I can offer more to my patients and make a difference.
“This is what matters the most to me in nursing; the fact that it is more than just a job and we all do something important for patients. I’m proud to be a nurse and a part of an amazing team of kind and caring people.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to, and continue to support, nursing apprenticeships. You allow people like me to pursue their dreams despite age, previous experience and background.”
Charitable donations are not just an investment in individual careers but in the future of healthcare. By facilitating career progression, our donor community is helping NBT address workforce challenges and train and retain more qualified nurses, like Jakub, ensuring better care for patients.
