South East Care Group Takes On Cohort Of Nurses From Its Indian Training Centre With 100% Pass Rate

A South East care group has welcomed a cohort of 24 registered nurses from its Indian training centre to work across its homes after passing their Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE).

Nellsar, a family-run group of 13 care homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex, recently took on the nurses from its overseas training centre in Kerala, India – with the programme achieving a 100% pass rate since its set-up last year.

Driven by a shortage of nurses in the UK, the highly successful programme was formulated in late 2020 to enable carers from overseas to gain their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration to work in the UK.

After passing two exams in India, the nurses took part in OSCE training at Nellsar’s Princess Christian Care Centre, in Surrey, and Hengist Field Care Centre, in Kent, under the stewardship of Paula Persaud, Registered Nurse Development Manager at Nellsar.

Paula said: “We invested in our own training programme to emulate the high quality and high standards championed across all our homes. Our support system provides high-quality training that prepares students for a prosperous and successful career as a qualified nurse.

“The OSCE nurses are supported in passing their exams with the NMC, before continuing their registered nurse induction with us. It’s a practice that incorporates more futuristic development and support to recruitment in the social care sector.”

The OSCE is used in nurse education to assess clinical skill proficiency at pre-registration and postgraduate level. The exam is made up of six separate stations using simulated patients in a clinical setting.

To ensure candidates are given adequate time to prepare, they are granted 12 weeks from the start date on their certificate of sponsorship to complete the exam. Nellsar supported the nurses through the process by providing isolation housing, training, guidance, and transportation.

Jinu Jose, Recruitment and Resources Manager at Nellsar, said: “We’re very proud of our OSCE training for yielding a 100% success-rate. At Nellsar, we’re delighted to have such a diverse group of qualified nurses who have all performed an integral role throughout the pandemic. They are now crucial team members in their respective homes and that’s testament to their commitment to care, as well as our trainers who have supported them throughout their journey with us.”

Paula added: “The training programme will help to strengthen the nursing pool in the UK. The nurses coming through our training centre have proven to be a vital resource and we look forward to welcoming more in the near future.”