Galway University Hospitals (GUH) celebrated International Day of the Nurse yesterday, recognising the contribution of nursing mentors in supporting new colleagues.
Over 250 overseas nurses and midwives took up roles in GUH since the beginning of last year, where they were supported with an adaptation and preceptorship programme.
The Saolta Preceptor Recognition Awards is an initiative to publicly acknowledge and thank the nurses who made such a huge impact on our new recruits.
Preceptorship is the term given to a structured, supported period of learning where experienced nurses take on the role of mentoring newly appointed nurses and helping them to adapt to their new positions.
Since 2022 over 550 new overseas nurses and midwives joined the Saolta group and benefited from an adaptation and preceptorship programme.
In GUH, nurses Therese Prendergast and Soumya Rajan were recently honoured with a preceptorship award at the hospital.
Therese Prendergast is a staff nurse in ED, she was nominated for the award by her preceptee Juben P. Baldeviso.
Soumya Rajan is a staff nurse in St Pat’s and was nominated by Dona Binoy and Athira Sukumaran.
Juben P said: “I started my adaptation program with a nervous heart yet with an open mind.
“My preceptor Therese Prendergast made me feel so much more. She made me feel welcome and that I belonged to the unit.
“She is very enthusiastic when it comes to work and keeps you involved in the process. I can say she is very skilled with her practice which is backed up by years of experience here and abroad. She has a lot of energy.
“I am humbled to be taught by her, she is compassionate in dealing with patients and I have witnessed it personally every time I am with her. She will always walk the extra mile to deliver the best possible nursing care to her patients.”
Dona Binoy said: “Soumya was incredibly supportive, and I want to thank her for helping me in my new career in GUH.
“She has excellent teaching skills and has been a great support, she really deserves this award.”
Marie Burns, Director of Nursing at GUH added: “Our nurses are our best asset, and I am grateful to work with such wonderful teams in Galway University Hospitals.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our nursing staff for all their dedication and commitment to their roles.”
Therese and Soumya were presented with a voucher, a certificate and their award by Saolta Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery at recent awards ceremony.
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