Nurse Cadets, Cohort 4, is a group Apprentices in Community Hospitals, Learning Disabilities North Team and Adult Mental Health Buckinghamshire – based across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Nurse Cadet programme offers 16-year-olds an apprenticeship within nursing.

The nomination 

Nurse Cadets, Cohort 4, was nominated by their colleague Clinical Vocational Lead for Nurse Cadets Claire Becker – for their determination, kindness and contribution to the teams they work in.

Claire commented:

“This cohort of eight Cadets have been working with the Trust for the past 20 months. They started when they were 16 years old and are now 18. Relying (due to their age) on public transport to get to workplaces and for study means they often leave their homes very early in the morning. They work similarly to Healthcare Assistants, giving compassionate care to our patients and service users. Frequently admired by patients and staff alike, they have added a young dynamism to the teams.

“The Nurse Cadet Apprenticeship can be challenging – managing work, study and being a teenager. However, this group have excelled, been mutually supportive and are indeed unique. Each has faced and overcome their own challenges, but have shown empathy to others, dedication, and resilience.

“Having witnessed each Cadet working in their clinical area, I am overwhelmed by their care and compassion. They acknowledge the limitations of their role, and they are frequently praised for being safe, ensuring they communicate concerns with patients, and highlighting if they are asked to do tasks outside their scope of practice. Undertaking the Level 3 Senior Health Care Support Worker Apprenticeship means they not only know what they are doing in the clinical areas but understand the rationale for the care provided.

“Each has instigated a service improvement project to make small improvements on the ward. For example, engaging service users in more daytime activities to improve wellbeing or reducing wastage of continence pads.

“They are enthusiastic, energetic and keen to learn. Patients often praise their compassionate and attentive care.”