Seven Sheffielders have graduated from a trailblazing nursing course after years of testing training and pandemic disruption.

Alice Harrand, Jessica Brown, Amy Bennett, Kirby Lamb, Louis Sinyard, Oliver Bandinelli and Hannah Sanderson completed the Trainee Nursing Associate course with Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC).

The role of a nursing associate is new in the NHS, with this only the second cohort to have graduated with SHSC.

It was introduced in 2017 to bridge the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses to support the nursing workforce in delivering high-quality, hands-on, person-centred care.

Tracey Wear, placement quality facilitator at SHSC, said: “Our second cohort of trainee nurse associates started back in October 2019 and what a journey it has been!

“The group was so determined to become registered nurse associates and then the unexpected happened, COVID-19 hit and they had an unprecedented time ahead of them.

“Hard going though it was, the group continued onwards, adapting to virtual learning and working through the pandemic. This even included working with our partners in acute hospitals with high rates of the virus.

“Their commitment to the programme and to SHSC was outstanding and they have now received their well-deserved graduation day. An enormous congratulations from all at SHSC!”

Six of the graduates have taken on roles at SHSC wards since completing their training, while one has moved on into a GP practice.