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Hundreds of nurses celebrate at badging ceremony
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Over 250 nursing students marked the end of their studies at the University of Wolverhampton at annual badging ceremonies.
Two special events had taken place in two days at St Peter’s Church in Wolverhampton and St Matthews Church in Walsall, to celebrate all nurses of cohort 219 who studied across all three University campuses.
Funded by The Joan Argyle Shambaugh Bursary, nurses who studied adult nursing, children’s nursing, mental health nursing and learning disability nursing were each presented with a badge to mark the end of their studies.
Students shared readings, poems and photos to reflect on their time studying through the pandemic and three years at the University.
Christopher Gettins, 24, originally from Blackburn but now living in Wolverhampton, studied Mental Health Nursing and now works as a substance misuse nurse at HMP Stoke Heath.
Chris, who was also the student rep, said: “It’s been a very enjoyable experience, training through covid, essentially, you’ve got the most resilient bunch of nurses celebrating their achievements.
“Today is a fantastic recognition of three years of hard work and looking back at how far we’ve come which would not have been possible without the support we’ve had from the University through the difficult times we all have encountered.
Speaking about his current role at HMP, Chris added: “It’s still very much a ‘pinch me’ moment, I’m waking up and no longer a student nurse but actually a qualified nurse with a caseload and working within a prison is such a proud moment and a huge accomplishment for me this early in my career.”
Chris will also be returning to the University as a visiting lecturer for first- and third-year students studying Mental Health Nursing.
Gideon Anane, 24, from London, studied Adult Nursing and now works as a Surgical rotational nurse at Royal London Hospital.
Gideon said: “I’ve loved my experience at the University of Wolverhampton, the lecturers are absolutely fantastic and the support I’ve received has been second-to-none. It’s been a rollercoaster of a journey but one of the best experiences of my life – if I could do it all again, I would.”
Beth Pink, 36, returned to education to study Mental Health Nursing after being inspired to become a nurse with three generations of nurses in the family.
Beth said: “It’s so surreal and it feels incredible to finally call myself a qualified nurse. I always knew I wanted to be a nurse; life just happened. But I’m so glad I returned to university to pursue my dream and that didn’t give up. To say that I’m proud, would be an understatement.”
Beth, whose mother and grandmother are also nurses, works with people with dementia in the community.
Katie Palmer, who studied Learning Disability Nursing, said: “It feels amazing to have qualified. It’s been a very long journey and I’m really proud to be celebrating with my cohort today.”
The 21-year-old, from Walsall, works in the Community Learning and Disability team in the Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin area.
All nurses of cohort 219 will reunite at their graduation ceremony next year.
For further information about nursing, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/nursing
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