Charity-funded programme helping Northern Trust retain more newly qualified nurses

Nerell Browne and Emily Morgan

A charity-funded support programme is helping the Northern Health and Social Care Trust retain more newly qualified nurses as they make the often-challenging transition into frontline healthcare roles.

Funded through the Trust’s Charitable Trust Funds, the initiative has improved support for newly registered nurses working across Medicine and Emergency Medicine services, with the Trust reporting better retention rates and increased confidence among those starting their careers.

The programme comes at a time when retaining nursing staff remains a significant challenge across health services, making early support an important factor in helping newly qualified nurses remain in the profession.

Supporting nurses through their first months

Every newly registered nurse completes a structured preceptorship programme after qualifying. During this period, each nurse is paired with an experienced registered nurse who provides day-to-day guidance, mentorship and professional support for a minimum of six months.

The programme is designed to help newly qualified nurses build confidence, strengthen their clinical skills and safely transition from education into clinical practice while delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

Providing this level of support can be particularly challenging in busy hospital environments such as Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units and acute wards.

Charitable funding creates dedicated educator roles

Recognising those pressures, the Northern Trust used Charitable Trust Funds to establish a two-year programme dedicated to strengthening preceptorship support across Medicine and Emergency Medicine services.

The initiative has been led by Practice Education Facilitators Nerell Browne and Emily Morgan, whose work was recently recognised at the Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards.

As part of the programme, they have helped foster a supportive and psychologically safe environment where newly qualified nurses feel comfortable asking questions, raising concerns and seeking advice as they settle into their new roles.

Improving confidence and retention

The Trust says the programme has contributed to more newly qualified nurses remaining in post beyond their first six months of practice.

Most nurses now complete their preceptorship within that period, while those who require additional support are given extra time and guidance to help them succeed.

Nerell Browne said:

“We have seen a real positive shift in attitudes towards preceptorship through this programme, which is incredibly encouraging. The early experiences as a registered nurse can be challenging, it is a vulnerable time when some nurses may choose to take a break or leave the profession. While this is a challenge across all health services, we have seen a steady improvement in retention rates among the nurses we have supported.”

Emily Morgan added:

“Creating a supportive and psychologically safe environment has been at the heart of our approach. We want newly qualified nurses to feel comfortable speaking openly about their experiences, asking questions and seeking help whenever they need it. Knowing that support is available can make a huge difference during those early months of practice.”

Donors recognised for their impact

Interim Executive Director of Nursing Gill Murphy thanked everyone who contributes to the Trust’s Charitable Trust Funds, saying their generosity had made the programme possible.

She said:

“The transition from student to registered nurse is one of the most important milestones in a nursing career. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports our Charitable Trust Funds. Their generosity enabled us to establish this programme and create two dedicated educator roles, providing invaluable support for our newly qualified nurses as they begin their professional journey.

“Our newly qualified nurses are the workforce of the future, and it is essential that they feel supported, valued and empowered to develop rewarding and successful careers within the Trust.

“The feedback we have received from managers, preceptees and preceptors has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the significant difference Nerell and Emily have made.”

Professor Elizabeth Graham, Assistant Director of Nursing, also acknowledged the role of donors in making the initiative possible.

She said:

“This programme would simply not have been possible without the kindness and generosity of our Charitable Trust Funds donors, and I would like to sincerely thank every person who has contributed.”

By helping newly qualified nurses develop confidence and remain in frontline roles, the Trust believes the programme is strengthening its future nursing workforce while demonstrating how charitable donations can deliver lasting benefits for patients and staff alike.