Published on: 11th May 2020

Starting a career in nursing during a global pandemic seems daunting for anyone, but that’s exactly what eleven of our trainee nursing associates have done.

Despite being new to the profession, the nursing recruits have excelled and have provided valuable support to our busy wards; including support for patients with coronavirus.

Emily Curran, one of our latest recruits from Ashton, wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she left school, other than follow her passion for photography.

Emily Curran, trainee nursing associateBut when Emily started as a bank worker within our employment services team, she eventually moved to the management offices at Buckton Building (Tameside General Hospital), where she was inspired by colleagues on the frontline.

After seeing the amazing job they were doing every day, Emily knew she wanted to pursue a career as a nurse.


Emily said: “I was already thinking of applying for the course, at some point, but working with the team here has made me want to apply and do it now.

“I’m really enjoying my new role as a healthcare support worker on Summers Ward. I’m currently deployed here to support during Covid-19 and will start my course when it resumes in September.

“I love working with the patients and being able to support them during this confusing time, when their families aren’t allowed to visit.

I’ve been lucky to be placed on such a welcoming and lovely ward. I’m hoping that this temporary role will give me invaluable experience to be able to take into my trainee nurse associate course.

Managers, Pauline Holden from Summers Ward in Tameside and Sharon Fitton, from Cedars ward in Oldham, said that the work ethic of our new trainees has been exceptional and they are an asset to their teams.

Similarly, other ward managers have commented that they are a credit to the apprenticeship programme they are part of. There are a further eight trainee nursing associates already eagerly waiting to join them.

For more information on apprenticeships with us, please visit: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/apprenticeships