The University of Portsmouth’s School of Health and Care Professions has produced its first cohort of registered adult nurses.
Three years after starting their pre-registration nursing education, students from the BN (Hons) Nursing (Adult) course are now ready to take the next step in their nursing careers and seek registration as an adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Course leaders Dr Isobel Ryder and Pauline McKeever recently joined the students to celebrate their achievements, showcasing examples of their work in the presence of peers, practice learning partners, academics and honoured guests. These guests included Sue Hill from Health Education England and Dr Cecilia Akrisie Anim, former Royal College of Nursing President.
The last three years have brought a rollercoaster of emotions, from both students and academics, but the end of the course has finally arrived for the first cohort.
Dr Ryder said: “The last three years have brought a rollercoaster of emotions, from both students and academics, but the end of the course has finally arrived for the first cohort.
“We are proud of delivering a programme in partnership with colleagues from practice and the programme has already been modified and re-approved in response to the changes in the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency (2018) as well as student feedback.”
This year has also seen Portsmouth being the first university awarded accreditation for the nursing programme by the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare. The January 2017 intake, now completing their course, has been a significant part of this process.