Joy for UHDB's Aldarico as he is shortlisted for Nursing Times Award
UHDB’s very own International Nurse Facilitator Aldarico Velasco is delighted to have been shortlisted for a Nursing Times Workforce Awards 2022 in the category ‘Overseas Nurse of the Year.’
Aldarico, who joined the Trust three years ago, said it is a great honour to have been shortlisted for the accolade and it is a nod to the amazing contribution from all the Internationally Educated nurses and overseas nurses that work across UHDB.
Aldarico, who recently secured a new role as International Nurse Facilitator, said it is also a celebration of what overseas nurses have to offer.
He said: “It just reminded me of my journey three years ago when I started and how important a supportive environment is and great leaders to take you to where you want to be.
"I think that’s what I’ve learned in this journey, that whatever I’ve accomplished this past three years in this country as a nurse, is credit to all the people who supported me.
“That inspires me in my current role and I want to make sure I can help provide the same support or better for upcoming nurses because at the end of the day they will be the future of the NHS.
“They are not just nurses coming in they are people who have so much potential, that will change the way we care for our patients, improve the way we do things and continue to make the Trust a happy place to work in.”
Aldarico said the Trust has been nothing but supportive to him and as there are currently more than 500 Internationally Educated Nurses working across UHDB, that “speaks volumes” to how much overseas nurses are valued here.
He said: “The fact I’m in this new role is a reflection of the commitment and dedication we have for Internationally Educated Nurses at UHDB.
“We had an event a year ago where we asked the question how we can support them better and the feedback was that they need a leader to look after them and that’s how my role came about.
“It was a quick turnaround and that speaks volumes about how much the leaders will listen to you and how much commitment they have for us.
“I’m so delighted to have been shortlisted for this award it means so much to me and to the community of overseas nurses we have here.
“It shows we are visible and we are very much part of this team.
“The overseas nurses deserve a spotlight and this shows that we are going some way to achieve that.”
Aldarico will find out if he has won the award for Overseas Nurse of the Year at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards on 22 November at Hilton London Metropole.