Eleanor Kenny, Clinical Sister, Avon Ward, South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

Eleanor joined South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) as a newly qualified nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although this meant she had to develop fast, she has always felt well-supported and has already taken advantage of new opportunities to progress her career.

“I opted for the more traditional route following gaining my A levels and was accepted to the University of Birmingham. My first newly qualified nursing role was on Mary Ward at SWFT where I developed quicker than anticipated due to the circumstances. Learning clinical skills but also developing my communication, confidence, and leadership abilities. Lots of opportunities were given to the team.

An opportunity for a secondment as a clinical sister opened in March 2023 - I applied and was successfully appointed. This was after 18 months qualified! I have since transferred wards to gain a different set of skills in Avon Ward remaining as a sister. My secondment finishes this coming March, and I am hoping to continue as a Band 6!”

As a newly qualified nurse, Eleanor valued being supported through the Trust’s preceptorship programme.

“Having an experienced preceptor allowed me to ask questions and to clarify numerous different queries I had when I was finding my feet as a newly qualified nurse. Having regular check- ins with my preceptor also gave me reassurance that I was being supported and if there was anything I wanted to discuss I had many opportunities to do so. There were many different training opportunities to improve my clinical skills which I was booked onto once I felt confident to do so. Having a booklet supplied by the learning and development team made it very easy to keep track of what I’d completed and what I wanted to do in the future.”