Celebrating NHS Overseas Workers

Shubha, Mental Health Clinical Nurse

Today is NHS Overseas Workers Day, offering a chance to celebrate our international colleagues across the NHS. This year we took the opportunity to chat with a couple of our international nurses who joined us in May 2022 and see what their reflections are since joining the Sheffield Children’s family.

Shubha Antony is a Mental Health Clinical Nurse and works at the Becton Centre, and Anju Joy is a Clinical Nurse at our Western Bank hospital site.

Shubha said: “Being a nurse in the UK is a dream to many, and especially serving at such a lovely Trust is a blessing! When I wanted to pursue my career as a mental health nurse, I was going through so many Trusts, but then Sheffield Children’s caught my eye and I applied right away for the post of Clinical Nurse through my agency. I was overwhelmed when I cracked the interview and had my offer letter.

“Right from that moment I got in touch with the International Recruitment Team – particularly our Project Manager Georgina and my Nurse Educator Cynthia, individuals like them are a boon. Right from zero they guided me all the way throughout my journey from India to the UK, the OSCE exams and guiding me until now. I acknowledge them and other members of the International Recruitment Team.

Anju, Clinical Nurse

“My experience at the Becton centre has been fantastic. It feels like a second home. Individuals around me are warm and accepting. I never thought they would have made me feel so welcoming and included. I knew that I’ve chosen the perfect place to work. When I’m down with adjusting to the new place, they are there to guide me and help me sort out things. Words are not enough to thank them.”

“I thank all my managers, colleagues and my supervisor Karen for her love and support right from day 1, she even took the initiative to look for a daycare solution for my son and accompanied me, for which I will always be grateful. Sheffield Children’s is the perfect place for me, and I’m proud to be a part of such a wonderful organisation.”

Anju Joy shared: “When I started my new journey as an International Nurse, it was filled with lots of initial challenges like anyone else. It has been a wonderful journey with Sheffield Children’s overall.

“I was impressed with the international staff supportive team that was created by the Trust. They helped us from the beginning of the recruitment until now. I should thank each and everyone, especially Georgina, Lexie and Jana. They were with us throughout all of our difficulties and provided support for it all. Thank you everyone!”