Letterkenny-based nurse Manjumol Thomas has been recognised for her leadership, knowledge and patience in the Saolta Preceptor Recognition Awards.
Ms Thomas, a staff nurse in the Short Stay Unit at Letterkenny University Hospital, was nominated for the award by her preceptee Pardon Chimyoka.
The Saolta Preceptor Recognition Awards is an initiative to publicly acknowledge and thank the nurses who make such a huge impact on new recruits.
Preceptorship is the term given to a structured, supported period of learning where experienced nurses take on the role of mentoring newly appointed nurses and helping them to adapt to their new positions.
Eight-eight overseas nurses and midwives took up roles in LUH since the beginning of last year where they were supported with an adaptation and preceptorship programme.
Manjumol was presented with a voucher, a certificate and their award by Saolta Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery at a recent awards ceremony.
Speaking about her colleague, Nurse Chimyoka said: “I nominated Manjumol for this award because she always showed a high level of maturity and patience throughout my six weeks of mentorship. She has demonstrated everything I needed to know be it theory or practical. Knowledge and patience are her trademarks and she is a natural leader. She was by my side on many occasions and she would let me lead and demonstrate to her what I was doing. I was given feedback during and after every shift and she has helped me immensely.”
Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) is celebrating International Day of the Nurse today and recognising the contribution of all nursing mentors in supporting new colleagues.
Paul Hooton, Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery said; “On International Day of the Nurse I want to personally take this opportunity to thank all our nurses and student nurses across the Saolta group for everything you do to help others each and every day. I am incredibly proud of all our nurses and what the Preceptor Recognition Awards has proven is that we are a diverse community of talented, caring professionals who lift up our colleagues and help each other thrive. Congratulations to Manjumol for being selected for this award and thank you for the support and mentoring you have provided to our international nurses in Letterkenny University Hospital.
Anne Drake, Director of Nursing at LUH added: ”We know that adjusting to a new country, a new workplace and a new clinical environment can be challenging and it is crucial to have the right supports in place to help our new colleagues adapt. Mentorship is a great way to accelerate performance and productivity. Not just that, mentorship comes with the benefits of gaining different perspectives, improving self-confidence and increasing job satisfaction. On behalf of everyone in LUH I want to congratulate Manjumol for being such outstanding role model, she embodies the values of leadership and compassion. I’m very proud of all our mentors and our new nursing colleagues who have engaged wholeheartedly with the programme.”
Since 2022 over 550 new overseas nurses and midwives joined the Saolta group and benefited from an adaptation and preceptorship programme.
