How Four Cornwall Nurses Reached Senior Status in Just Two Years

Four globally educated nurses working in Cornwall have achieved promotions to band 6 roles within just two years of joining the Trust.

Four Nurses Celebrated for Their Success

Meenakshi, Roy Jr Rafael, Remya Rajan and William Mizira are now band 6 nurses. Band 6 nurses hold senior positions such as junior sister, charge nurse and senior staff nurse.

The Trust has supported and employed 100 globally educated nurses since the NHS’ international recruitment programme began in 2022. This figure is set to increase to 180 once the next round of sponsorship is complete.

The recruitment programme helps NHS organisations to increase and develop globally educated nurse employment. These nurses bring a diverse range of skills and new perspectives on healthcare.

Supporting Globally Educated Nurses

The Trust ensures that all globally educated nurses receive high quality pastoral care, guidance on promotions, and support for their partners to secure employment.

Nurses typically join the Trust as a band 4 and work within wards or the community. After receiving their Nursing and Midwifery Council pin, they move to band 5 and are encouraged to progress further through training and mentorship.

Jayne Couzens, the Trust’s International Recruitment Manager, said:

“The community is becoming more diverse. The NHS must follow.

By recruiting globally educated nurses, we are diversifying our teams. We are learning new ways of doing things. Nurses can share valuable skills and experiences with one another. This had led to a positive impact for patients.”

The recruitment and promotion of globally educated nurses reflect the NHS People Promise, which pledges to be a compassionate and inclusive employer that values and rewards its workforce. The full NHS People Promise can be read here.

Meenakshi’s Journey to Band 6

Meenakshi, now a band 6 nurse at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital, works on the Community Assessment and Treatment Unit (CATU). She has been nursing for four years and holds a master’s degree in mental health.

She said:

“I graduated as a nurse in India and practiced in one of the biggest hospitals in India, in the trauma unit. I had always wanted to come to England to experience nursing in a different country and use my skills and knowledge.

In India hospitals are dominated by the doctors. The nurses are more the labour workforce. Although we are very skilled in India and the education is very good, in England, nurses have more of a voice.”

On arriving in Cornwall, Meenakshi said she received vital support from Jayne Couzens:

“We were supported by Jayne all the way through the process. Arriving in a new country with no friends or family could have been very scary. Jayne made sure we were looked after and arranged everything for us. We had housing, food, uniform and even were taken to the hospital to see our new workplace. Jayne even helped with travel and transport!”

Promotion and Progress

Meenakshi explained how she secured her band 6 promotion:

“When the Same Day Treatment Centre opened there became more opportunities for band 6 promotions. My manager asked if I would be interested in the promotion.

My colleagues helped me to prepare for the interviews. I was so grateful that everyone was giving me lots of encouragement.

I had the interview and was offered the band 6 role in December 2024. I am thankful to have the opportunity to progress and challenge myself.”

The Trust says this recognition of its globally educated nurses is a key step towards ensuring all staff feel valued and supported as part of the NHS People Promise.