A group of Indian nurses who will start working at NCIC next month have arrived in the UK and have experienced snow for the first time.
The group arrived in early December and have been self isolating in Crewe.
Beth Woodhall, Onboarding and Pastoral Support Assistant at NCIC, explains what she does to welcome nurses from overseas to NCIC when they first arrive.
The first group of nine nurses arrived with our partner Trust - Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - based in Crewe on December 8 and started their self-isolation.
They also began their OSCE (nursing exams) training online and will arrive in Carlisle once they have passed their exams - which should be at the beginning of February. The rest of the group should be in Carlisle at the start of April.
Beth’s role is to support the nurses in their new starter process, get their uniforms ordered as well as ID badges and sort out their IT access.
Beth, who started in this role on December 7, is also involved in pastoral support for them helping find accommodation and ensuring that they integrate into their new wards and communities.
She said: “For the nurses that are arriving when they first land from India they are met by a colleague from WWL and taken to self-catering accommodation in Crewe to start their training for their OSCE.
“I arrange an introduction with our HR team, Matrons and Clinical Educators.
“All information about living and working in Cumbria is prepared and sent to the nurses as it is needed.
“The main part of my role at this point is liaising between the nurses and our HR and clinical teams to keep them up to date with what is happening and ensure everyone has the information they need. It is really important that the nurses know who I am and how I can help them with their relocation.”
Beth said the main things the nurses need help with is finding suitable accommodation.
She said: “The rental system is all new to them. I offer support in contacting letting agents, viewing properties and working through the lettings procedure. It’s important for the nurses to familiarise themselves with Carlisle and find out how to get about, where to buy food.”
“We ensure that when they first get to Carlisle they have a welcome package of essentials while they get used to the area and know where to shop.
“They arrive in the group that they have done their training in for two to three months and will be met by myself when they arrive so it’s a familiar face to get them settled into their accommodation.”