The country’s future nurses turned out to celebrate International Nurses Day at the University of Winchester.
Student nurses and staff hosted an event, with balloons, bunting and cakes at the West Downs Centre to mark the day which coincides each year with Florence Nightingale’s birthday (12 May).
The event, attended by families and practice partners, also displayed posters showing examples of outstanding student work.
The event recognised the achievements of nurses past, present and future in the important role the dedicated programme team at the university play nurturing the next generation nurses.
The Dean of the University’s Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Elizabeth Davies-Ward, a trained nurse herself, opened the presentations and reflected on her own nursing journey.
She said: “Nursing requires empathy, resilience and the willingness to continuously learn. Although the journey might feel like an uphill struggle at times, we must remember the opportunities we have to make a difference to the lives of others, especially when they are at their most vulnerable.”
Julia Lake, Deputy Director of Nursing at Hampshire Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) shared her motivations for becoming a nurse and the inspiring career of Florence Nightingale.
Florence was remarkable not only for compassion but for her use of data (she popularised and adapted the use of pie charts) and evidence to build a base of knowledge about good practice.
Four final year student nurses – all of whom have also served as student representatives - gave honest accounts of their learning journey and their next steps beyond university.
Nadia Whiffen, chair of the Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC), spoke about her new job in neonatal care.
Kirsty Wienand, also an SSLC member, told of her plan to work in acute services.
Sarah Fry, a student placement rep, who has job as school nurse in a mainstream school, championed the career of LD (Learning Disability) nursing.
Catherine Pooley, a student Wellbeing Rep, has been offered a place in medical school where she says all the values and qualities of a nurse that she has learned will enhance her journey as a doctor.
“It was a privilege to share our students amazing work and projects with staff, fellow students, their families and our practice partners,” said Stacy Hutchins, Deputy Head of the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care.
Visit Nursing and Midwifery - University of Winchester to find out more about courses at the University of Winchester.
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