Aspiring Trainee Nurse Associate for leading care home group chosen as Ambassador for Health Education England

Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG) is celebrating the success of Clinical Quality Team member and Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA), Jo Stokes, who has been selected to become an ambassador for Health Education England (HEE).

Jo will be working amongst other trainee and qualified nursing associates to support HEE, to promote and grow the role.

The Nursing Associate role is a registered role with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and came of out the Shape of Caring Review in 2015 which recommended a bridging role between Support Workers & Registered Nurses. The role which is delivered as an apprenticeship offers a career development and progression opportunity for support workers and whilst a role within its own right offers opportunities to progress on to registered nurse training allowing organisations to grow their own registered nurse workforce.

Jo Stokes commented on her new role:

“As far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a nurse. I had never wanted to be anything else. As an HEE ambassador, I will have the chance to contribute to the future of this great profession and offer my support to others who are looking to fulfil their career ambitions as I have.”

Michelle Henderson Workforce Lead for Nursing and Midwifery NorthEast and Yorkshire Health Education England commented:

“We are delighted to have Jo on board as one our ambassadors for the nursing associate role. Ambassadors play an important part in championing the role as well as supporting us to understand the issues or barriers in practice so we can share and learn.

Jo’s enthusiasm about the role as well as her passion for working in social care shines through.”

She has already supported with some webinars with local authorities in raising the profile of the role.  We are pleased to have Jo representing the social care sector and look forward to working with her more in the future.”

Jo will shortly be completing her TNA programme to become a fully qualified Nursing Associate and after this will also become a TNA Advisor, supporting new TNAs at MMCG in addition to her ambassador role.

Jo's new role provides a wealth of opportunities for her, including representing the interests of Nursing Associates at national or local events, meetings, and conferences, as well as promoting the Nursing Associate role in schools and colleges to engage the younger generation with the health and social care sector.

Chief Nursing Officer at MMCG, Anna Masheter commented:

“I am delighted for Jo on accomplishing her new role, as are the rest of the team here at MMCG. Her success is a real testament to her achievements in the Clinical Quality Team as well as her commitment to furthering her career in nursing through the TNA programme. We’re proud to have Jo represent the business and her profession as an HEE Ambassador and I look forward to supporting her in this key role.”

MMCG offers excellent training and progression opportunities to all staff, and Jo’s story is just one example of what can be achieved through hard-work, dedication, and a supportive work environment. MMCG's comprehensive learning and development programmes have enabled individuals like Jo to further their careers in the care home sector and reach their full potential.