AS this week brought the return of International Nurses' Day (12 May), we caught up with one of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust's 31 new specialist intensive care nurses from India, who is helping treat the sickest patients in critical care.

Ditty John, a staff nurse in critical care, said: "The Trust has been really supportive of our team, and we are settling in well in our new working environment. Our teachers prepared us amazingly for the hurdle of our exams. We are all so enthusiastic and it's been great working in critical care and caring for our patients."

Diane Sarkar MBE, chief nursing officer at the Trust, said: "As it takes three years to train a nurse in intensive care, it is wonderful that these nurses have chosen to pursue their careers in the NHS.

"Few other professions offer you as much choice or opportunity for personal and professional growth as nursing, and where you make a real difference to people's lives.

"I am delighted to welcome this group of specialist nurses to our trust, who will help to support our excellent patient care."

A further 10 nurses have been recruited by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and five have joined North East London NHS Foundation Trust.