Malayali nurse gets 'royal' welcome for helping international staff in UK

Although she was experienced and capable, Prabin Baby could not find a place in the system after she moved to the United Kingdom in 2020. This encouraged her to work and help other Malayali nurses who followed her. It has been five years now, and she was paid for her work when the 45-year-old was invited to King Charles' garden party in the Buckingham Palace.

Following education in Kerala and Bengaluru, Tiruvalla-born Prabin served in India and Malaysia as a nurse and a nursing trainer. She migrated to the UK as a registered nurse at the height of the pandemic and was working for Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. She was later promoted to education and corporate roles.

"Thanks to the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, I made a contribution to the wellbeing of Malayali nurses in helping them settle professionally and culturally into the National Health Service (NHS). A fellowship from the Florence Nightingale Foundation Academy helped me network across communities and expand my work in leadership development and sponsorship of internationally educated staff," Prabin further added. NHS also funded her professional nurse advocate course.

Individuals who come into the country are excluded from fitting into the system, and they require support, Prabin observes. "Even though our nurses are skilled, knowledgeable and have an OET certificate, it is hard for us to fit in the system. I was not comfortable when I arrived in UK. I believe someone should help them. We need to collaborate with leadership to ensure a friendly and inclusive working environment," she added. Prabin is now a patient-experience nurse, working to improve the quality of nursing practice in the UK.

"Our trust is inclusive and rich in diversity. It has a couple of members who speak English as their native language. But I was able to attend the garden party," she thanked the trust. According to Prabin, nurses receive better opportunities to learn, specialise and climb the career ladder in the UK. If we want to and are curious about our career, we have plenty of chances here. Also, the support we receive is far more than in India and other developed countries," she added.

Recalling the experience, Prabin said she felt proud and fortunate as an Indian to be part of it. "There had been times when, standing outside the palace, I had speculated what it was like within. Then I had opportunity come my way to enter the premises and mingle with the royals and visitors who have contributed to other areas of public service," she said.

"My sister, parents and daughter are my support. They actively support my work," Prabin stated.