Nursing celebrations, student awards and career milestones!

On Thursday 3 August, the School of Nursing held a colourful celebration event with an 80’s theme to celebrate their 220 third year nursing students completing their courses as well as sharing the joyous career milestones in nursing practice for Carol France, Lynne Westwood and Christine Thompson.

There are regular events held throughout the year in the School of Nursing including a range of activities, celebrations, and award ceremonies. At the beginning of August, on Thursday 3, the latest nursing celebration event was organised by Linda Sterling, Senior lecturer in Adult Nursing and Year 3 and RPL Lead supported by Sean Ledington, Learning Disability Nursing Lecturer. With 220 third year nursing students gearing up for the final day of their current course, the colourful theme of the event was 80s! This was embraced by both staff and students and provided some entertaining photographs to complement the already high-energy of the event.

On the morning of the event, numerous students were awarded for a range of categories including some fun awards before heading to the café lounge at the Walsall campus to enjoy some delicious food, generously provided by staff and students. There was music, party props and plenty of laughter and enjoyment from the nursing staff team and students from adult, child and learning disability courses enjoying their end of course celebrations.

Student rep, Jenna Nightingale, thanks her fellow students and the University’s lecturers for their support throughout her course. Jenna was ecstatic to finish her degree with a first-class classification and feels that she was expertly supported by her lecturers and personal tutor with her dyslexia resulting in her exceeding her own expectations. To reflect this, Jenna also received the prestigious Dave Fisher Award!

Part of the celebrations included honouring University lecturers for their milestone achievements in their nursing careers including congratulating Christine Thompon for her 45 years in nursing as well as Carol France and Lynne Westwood on their 40 years. These staff received flowers as an acknowledgement of their exceptional careers and as a thank you for their continued dedication.

This year’s end-of-year celebration event was particularly special as this cohort of students started during the COVID-19 pandemic and consequently had online theory lectures and a different practical experience during the pandemic. They haven’t let this hold them back though and they have worked tirelessly to reach this point. As of August 3, some students had already passed their course and were waiting for their NMC registration whilst others were still awaiting some results from modules. Student rep, Jenna Nightingale, says: “I am equally as proud of my fellow colleagues who practised during the most challenging times of nursing.”

This cohort of students is ready and prepared to fully embrace the world of nursing following their rigorous course with the School of Nursing. Jenna Nightingale says; “I have never been prouder to be part of a workforce that can positively impact the lives and outcomes of people. I am very much looking forward to my future as a community learning disability nurse and my only hope is that others join the learning disability nursing workforce and continue to make positive lasting impacts.  I never imagined I would go to university, let alone secure a job that I feel so passionate about.”