Celebrating Internationally Educated Nurses
Friday 26th May 2023
Staff recently organised an event at the Royal Gwent Hospital to celebrate the work of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs). IENs bring a wealth of skills, expertise, and passion to roles within the NHS. They make an incredible contribution to the health board.
Nurses often leave families abroad for long durations to work. At Aneurin Bevan University Health Board there are approximately 500 Internationally Educated Nurses, with the majority from the Philippines and India. But with many also from Africa, Pakistan, Fiji Albania, and other EU countries. The first nurses were recruited over 20 years ago in 2001 and again in 2019.
Clinical Research Nurse Specialist, Regina Reyes said:
"The first ever Internationally Educated Nurses event is an initiative project spearheaded by Internationally Educated Nurse leaders across the health board who are passionate about delivering support, promoting awareness, and creating a safe space for our shared values, celebration of culture and tradition in a diverse working environment like us. We recognise that Internationally trained nurses play a vital role in sustaining a robust workforce in our health board through delivering our core services to our population."
"Here in our Health board, we are fortunate enough to be provided and supported with a structured training and intensive program with a positive learning environment that will guide us not just in passing our examinations but more importantly, equipping us with skills and knowledge in becoming a globally competitive, and efficient nurse to our patients."
"However, being an Internationally trained nurse is a tough journey for most of us. Choosing to stay and live here in Wales, would only mean that we have to leave our family behind for greater pasture and face the risk of the unknown. To face internal and external challenges, and emerging beyond the difficulties of work and personal life proved a strong link of resilience amongst the internationally trained nurses."
“With the success of our first-ever Internationally educated nurses event, we look forward to be making this an annual event in the future with the support of our Nurse leaders. With our heartfelt gratitude, we are thankful for all the nurses, healthcare professionals and nurse leaders who showed their support and celebrated with us everyday of our working lives."
Practice Educator and IEN, Maria Cruz also said:
"I had the first-hand experience of how it feels like living and working in a foreign country. Those experiences brought me in a unique position to look for the best way how to support IENs who chose to pursue their careers in the health board.”
“I have been training and preparing IENs for their OSCE since 2019. It is fulfilling that I can share my knowledge and experience with most of them and seeing them stay and progress in their own fields is such a rewarding experience. I have been well supported since I started in the health board and I will continue to impart and share this support not only for the IENs but for everyone who needs it. Hence, the IEN celebration event was to recognise and celebrate all IENs in the health board. "
Some photos from Pratheesh Prathapan.
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