Rowcroft invests in training nurses in partnership with Plymouth and Exeter Universities

Rowcroft Hospice’s nursing sponsorship programme is helping the charity to
increase its staffing capacity amid a widespread nursing shortage in the UK.
Rowcroft is sponsoring students who are studying for their nursing degrees;
students will be offered permanent roles at the hospice when qualified.

This innovative scheme is helping Rowcroft to address the current challenges in clinical recruitment. Nursing students considering a career in palliative nursing are encouraged to visit: www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/student to find out about sponsorship.

Joe Priestley is one of Rowcroft’s sponsored student nurses studying with
the University of Plymouth. Currently in the second year of his course, Joe is
also working part time in Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit in Torquay as a healthcare assistant. He said: “I feel honoured to have gained a sponsorship from Rowcroft Hospice to finish my degree and join them once I graduate as a nurse in 2024. I have a passion for palliative and end-of-life care and have felt like this from the beginning of my training.

“This sponsorship is an amazing opportunity for me. Rowcroft is well-known across South Devon for the excellent care it provides for patients with terminal illness and the support of those close to the patients.”

Rowcroft’s Head of People and Organisational Development Claire Booth said: “We are proud of this sponsorship scheme that is responding to the clinical recruitment challenges by growing our own nurses. This initiative is just one many ways in which we are working to ensure Rowcroft can achieve our future strategic objective of enhancing and expanding care to support more patients and their loved ones across South Devon.”

Caroline Jamison, Associate Head of School Teaching and Learning/Apprenticeship Lead at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the
University of Plymouth, said: “The School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Plymouth are pleased to be working collaboratively with Rowcroft Hospice in enhancing and expanding learning opportunities for nursing students and making nursing programmes more accessible across the South West. Rowcroft Hospice are providing an excellent route into nursing, providing sponsorship whilst students undertake their nursing studies therefore proactively increasing their workforce to benefit the local community which we are delighted to be a part of.”

There are many different pathways into nursing. For further information
please see pre-registration nursing programmes at:
www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/school-of-nursing-and-midwifery and for
nursing apprenticeships: www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/apprenticeships

“It takes a specialist team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals
to provide care for our patients and their families,” added Rowcroft’s Claire
Booth.

“Rowcroft is a dynamic, professional and inclusive organisation. We offer an enriching and supportive environment with plenty of options for career development.”

Each year, Rowcroft cares for over 2000 patients with life-limiting illnesses
across South Devon with 80 per cent of patients cared for in their own homes and care homes. Rowcroft also offers complex care to patients in its Inpatient Unit in Torquay.

To find out more about Rowcroft’s nurses sponsorship scheme, please visit
www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/student

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