July 31, 2026
The Northern Trust has thanked Charitable Trust Funds donors whose generosity has helped support newly qualified nurses as they begin their professional careers.
All newly registered nurses undertake a period of preceptorship following registration. This structured programme provides support, guidance and professional development as nurses make the transition from education into clinical practice. It is designed to help build confidence, develop clinical skills and enable nurses to deliver safe, high-quality person-centred care.
Each newly qualified nurse is paired with a trained Preceptor Registered Nurse who provides day-to-day support and mentorship for a minimum of six months. Providing this support can be particularly challenging in busy clinical environments such as Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units and acute wards.
Recognising these challenges, the Northern Trust used Charitable Trust Funds to establish a two-year programme dedicated to strengthening preceptorship support across Medicine and Emergency Medicine (MEM) services.
The initiative was led by Practice Education Facilitators Nerell Browne and Emily Morgan, whose work has recently been recognised at the Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards.
Integral to the programme, Nerell and Emily have helped foster a positive culture around preceptorship, creating a supportive and psychologically safe environment where newly qualified nurses feel enabled to raise concerns, seek advice and build confidence in their new roles.
Importantly, the programme has also contributed to more newly qualified nurses remaining in post beyond their first six months of practice. Most nurses now complete their preceptorship within this period, while those requiring additional support are given the time and guidance needed to succeed.
Nerell Browne said: “We have seen a real positive shift in attitudes towards preceptorship through this programme, which is incredibly encouraging. The early experiences as a registered nurse can be challenging, it is a vulnerable time when some nurses may choose to take a break or leave the profession. While this is a challenge across all health services, we have seen a steady improvement in retention rates among the nurses we have supported.”
Emily Morgan added: “Creating a supportive and psychologically safe environment has been at the heart of our approach. We want newly qualified nurses to feel comfortable speaking openly about their experiences, asking questions and seeking help whenever they need it. Knowing that support is available can make a huge difference during those early months of practice.”
Interim Executive Director of Nursing, Gill Murphy, said: “The transition from student to registered nurse is one of the most important milestones in a nursing career. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports our Charitable Trust Funds. Their generosity enabled us to establish this programme and create two dedicated educator roles, providing invaluable support for our newly qualified nurses as they begin their professional journey.
“Our newly qualified nurses are the workforce of the future, and it is essential that they feel supported, valued and empowered to develop rewarding and successful careers within the Trust.
“The feedback we have received from managers, preceptees and preceptors has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the significant difference Nerell and Emily have made.”
Professor Elizabeth Graham, Assistant Director of Nursing, noted: “This programme would simply not have been possible without the kindness and generosity of our Charitable Trust Funds donors, and I would like to sincerely thank every person who has contributed.”