Care home workers named 'magnificent seven' as they complete their nursing associate training

Seven care workers from Colten Care are set to become registered nursing associates after completing a two-year foundation degree course.

Vicky Acott celebrating her achievement. Credit: Colten Care

Colten Care, partnered with Southampton Solent University offers the training to care workers keen to progress into professional nursing.

There was a distinction for Vicky Acott, care coordinator at Colten’s Poole home, Bourne View.

Ms Acott was one of only three trainees from the overall 70-strong year group to achieve more than 70 per cent in her assessments.

Ms Acott said: “It’s been full-on and an amazing opportunity for all of us. You have to balance work, study and home life but we’ve had a big support network and lots of resources. We’re privileged that Colten Care has funded us to do this. It’s all about gaining more skills to do nursing.”

In addition to qualifying, Verena Thomas, senior care lead at Colten’s Chichester home Wellington Grange, was shortlisted for Solent University’s health apprentice of the year award.

The mother-of-three said: “I would definitely advise anyone who is pursuing a career in healthcare to go for it if they have the opportunity.

“It has been tough, especially in the last year with my children in lockdown and having to rejig our placements so that instead of going to community nursing we have done them within Colten Care.

“It has also been difficult to have our university tuition done on Zoom rather than face to face, but it has been a brilliant course and the two years have gone by so quickly.”

Ligia Dragoi, Kim Gritt and Michael Von Bruggenberg Rothschild from other Colten Care homes achieved merit awards, reflecting grades of 60 per cent or above.

'Our first cohort of trainees have proved both inspirational and trailblazing'

Elaine Farrer, Colten Care’s operations director and a registered nurse herself, said: “Our first cohort of trainees have proved both inspirational and trailblazing - they truly are our magnificent seven.

“Supporting our team’s career development is at the very heart of our approach to care.

“It’s an essential factor in all 21 of our homes being registered for nursing care and seven of them being rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.”

A second group of Colten care workers are set to complete their first year on the course and a further eight have just begun.

Among them is Charlotte Hurford, senior care lead at Court Lodge in Lymington. Ms Hurford joined Colten Care as a healthcare assistant ten years ago and was promoted to her current role after completing level 2 and 3 healthcare qualifications.

Ms Hurford said: “I’m keen to get stuck in and learn new skills so I can progress further. I‘m looking forward to the clinical side and would love to become an RGN.”

Kerrie Cox, senior care lead at The Aldbury in Poole, a dedicated dementia care home, said: “I’m really excited about starting something new. I’ve been mentally preparing for juggling everything in my life and learning as I go.”

Jan Parker, Solent University’s head of nursing and social care, said: “In collaboration with Colten Care, we are supporting the nursing workforce by providing a real-world curriculum and working with a clear vision of health and care needs in our society today.

“Colten Care has invested in their staff by supporting them on the nursing associate programme.

“Together we are dedicated to continuing to deliver excellent teaching and practice experiences to promote expertise of knowledge and care, supporting the individuals and communities we serve.”

Nursing associate is a nationally recognised role designed to bridge the gap between care workers and registered nurses and leading to formal enrolment with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

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