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From students to qualified nurses - how the RCN Foundation supported nursing in Bangladesh

In 2020, the RCN Foundation awarded a grant of over £32,000 to the IMPACT Foundation to fund seven student nurses to undertake a three-year nursing course at the IMPACT’s Nursing Institute, in Meherpur District, Bangladesh.

Background

The IMPACT Nursing Institute (INI) was established in Meherpur in 2014, providing young people from impoverished communities the opportunity to become a fully qualified nurse and to help meet the urgent need for professionally qualified nurses and midwives in Bangladesh. To date, seven cohorts of students have graduated, and all are employed in hospitals and clinics within Bangladesh.

2016

In 2016, in partnership with the RCN President’s Charity, the RCN Foundation awarded a grant to the IMPACT Foundation to support the training of two student nurses in Bangladesh. Former RCN President, Cecilia Akrisie Anim CBE, was the main fundraiser for this project and in February 2020, following their 3-year course, Cis visited Bangladesh to watch student nurses, Anamika and Sabrina graduate. Read more about Cis's trip.

2020-2023

In 2020, the RCN Foundation awarded a grant to the IMPACT Foundation to fund seven student nurses to undertake a three-year nursing course in Bangladesh. The seven students began their studies in January 2020 and a lot of their training took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 the INI had to close, and the students had to learn remotely. The team worked agile to enable to group to catch up the missed practical learning. In their final year, the students attended classes in Midwifery, Psychiatric Nursing, and Leadership and Management to name a few. They are currently awaiting their exam results.

Graduation

The seven students graduated on 21 June 2023 and past President of the RCN, Dr Cis Anim CBE, travelled to Bangladesh to attend the graduation ceremony. All graduates will be applying for their licence to practice as nurses within the locality and will then undertake an internship.                  IMPACT Foundation graduates

The graduates will attend a six-month internship programme at Meherpur General Hospital. They will be supervised by a nursing supervisor who will support and evaluate them throughout their clinical practice at the hospital.

Testimonials

Deepa Korea, RCN Foundation Directors, said: “Through funding and supporting organisations like the IMPACT Foundation, the RCN Foundation is ensuring that local communities, particularly in deprived areas, have access to healthcare and well-trained nurses. This project has contributed to reducing the desperate need for more nurses in Bangladesh whilst giving opportunities to academic young people from impoverished backgrounds to embark on a career.”

Dr Hasib Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer, IMPACT Bangladesh said: “It is a such an honour for IMPACT Bangladesh’s Nursing Institute to be associated with the RCN Foundation. Our relationship has inspired our students and enhanced our credibility among stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council. The seven nursing students who graduated recently after completing their 3-Year Diploma Course with your support are so grateful to the RCN Foundation for helping them to fulfil their dreams of a nursing career.”