Nursing a reputation for excellence

Nursing students have voted Northumbria University’s continuing professional development programmes the best in the country for two years in a row.

Maintaining its leading position, Northumbria was awarded the accolade by the Student Nursing Times for its Continuing Professional Development in the category of Nurse Education Provider of the Year: Post Registration which recognises institutions which offer continuing education and professional development for qualified nurses to develop their leadership, management and clinical skills.

Students from across the UK were questioned by award judges about their learning experience and were asked for their views on issues such as teaching quality, the learning environment and student support.

One of the students to nominate Northumbria University was student Lee Thompson who is studying for a Masters Degree in Practice Development.

He said: “Staff at Northumbria have gone beyond the extra mile on many occasions for which I am eternally grateful. Although the academic staff provide excellent educational lectures, I believe it is the support and the way they engage with students that provides a comprehensive learning environment. New concepts and best practice are always related to real world practice and draws upon the experience of both staff and students.”

Another student, Lindsay Surtees, who recently completed a Masters Degree in Advanced Practice, also praised staff.

She said: “Staff support students to set realistic goals to achieve the right balance between working, studying and living life and from a personal point of view demonstrated compassion and sensitivity during times of crisis.

“They are able to help students bridge the gap between theory and practice and actively encourage reflection on current practice and empower students by giving them the tools required to confidently challenge practice.”

Vanessa Gibson, Learning and Teaching Fellow, said: “This is fantastic accolade for Northumbria and the CPD team because it means we are succeeding in putting our student community at the heart of everything we do with the expectation that this results in better patient care. There is a critical link between teaching, learning and practice.”

Northumbria student Joe Larner who is studying a BSc in Practice Development and works on the Cardiothoracic Critical Care Unit at the Freeman Hospital and was a finalist in the Student of the Year (Post-registration) category, Jane Murray and Ann Huitson were finalists in the category of Teaching Innovation of the Year and Janice McKnight was a finalist for Lecturer of the Year.

Date posted: May 7, 2013