Community nurse Ngoza Mwimba admits she was daunted by the thought of moving from Zambia – having never travelled outside of southern Africa before – to a new life in the UK more than 7,600 miles away.
However, she was determined to develop her career in ways not possible in her home country and to give her children a chance to experience another way of life. She made up her mind to join a growing band of international nurses working for the NHS and after securing a post with CPFT as part of its international recruitment drive, and with the help of the Trust, arranged a one-way airline ticket to Manchester airport.
Although an experienced nurse in Zambia, she spent her first three months in Crewe to complete the necessary training to enable her to register as a nurse in this country.
Ngoza said: “CPFT funded my housing while I trained, as well as travel costs to and from lectures. When I first arrived 18 months ago, they also made sure I had two weeks’ worth of food and even fresh bed linen.”
After passing her exams, she moved to March to join the Fenland community nursing team. She says that she has been made to feel welcome and has been readily accepted by her patients in the Fenland area.
She explained: “The preceptorship scheme and the pastoral care provided by the Trust is particularly important. It has not only helped me to adapt to community nursing in another country, but also provides practical and emotional support to adapt to a new life in the UK.
“It was a scary move. There are cultural differences to adjust to as well, but CPFT has supported me every step of the way. I have also made good friends, have a social life and am feeling settled with my family here.”
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