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New project aims improve retention of nursing students and newly qualified nurses

City, University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust are planning to work in partnership to improve nurse retention.
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A project aimed at improving the retention of nursing students and nurses early in their careers is to be launched by university researchers and an NHS trust.


The Royal London Hospital, part of the Barts Health NHS Trust. Picture: Alamy

The three-year project, due to start in September this year, will involve a research team from City, University of London, who will be assessing nurse retention at Barts Health NHS Trust.

The team plans to identify new and early career nurses at risk of leaving the profession, and work with them to co-produce appropriate interventions.

The project, which is supported by a grant from the Burdett Trust for Nursing, also aims to empower students and nurses to help build professional networks and 'embed their sense of connectedness to their employing organisation'.

Above average turnover

Barts Health NHS Trust provides care across five hospitals in east London, and the area has an above average annual turnover of 15.9% for nursing and midwifery staff.

The trust also supports 378 City, University of London nursing students in 945 placements each year, many of whom go on to work in the organisation. The trust has taken initial steps to curb turnover, including a buddying scheme between students and qualified nurses.

Project lead and deputy dean of the school of health sciences at City, University of London, Debra Salmon said: 'This project draws on strong partnerships in education and nurse leadership between Barts Health and City, University of London and will develop interventions that may be transferrable to wider settings throughout nursing.'


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