More than 250 newly qualified nurses will be graduating from the University of Worcester this September- over a hundred more than 5 years ago.
Many of them have already taken up positions in the NHS in Herefordshire and Worcestershire ahead of their graduation ceremonies, having already received job offers and begun working on wards in this area.
Many more will enter service in the NHS in other parts of the country.
Ropafadzo Mutemi is an international student and is about to graduate from her Adult Nursing Degree.
She said: “I’ll be starting my work soon at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch as a Staff Nurse in Accident and Emergency.”
She continued: “I wanted to work in A&E because I grew so much when I went there on placement in my second year, and the placement helped me participate more in the skills sessions at university when I came back to classes.”
“Also, I liked how busy it was! I feel like my adrenaline just kicks in, and you learn a lot in a short space of time.”
The University of Worcester is a major supporter of the NHS in the region, training up the next generation of healthcare workers from doctors and nurses to midwives, paramedics, occupational therapists, diagnostic radiographers and more.
Ann Jewel Joby also studied Adult Nursing and will be going to work at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in the Trauma and Orthopaedic department.
Ann said: “I had a placement in the department, and I found the area to be really interesting. I’ve really improved my communication skills since starting at the University and I felt like I developed each year through doing my placements, so now I can communicate with patients much more confidently.”
Joining Ann at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital will be Anna Chiketa, another Adult Nursing graduate.
“I’m going to work in the A&E department,” said Anna. “I got a massive amount of support when I went there as a student from every staff member, from the doctors to the porters, the nurses, the Matron, I had so many questions for everyone.”
She continued: “Recently, during the election period, we had the chance to quiz the now Prime Minister on the future of the NHS during a visit to the University of Worcester. I was able to stand up for the people and the patients and to advocate for everyone, which is something we learned about in our Leadership Module when we were studying at the University.”
This year the University of Worcester also welcomed its first ever cohort of Medical and Diagnostic Radiography students who will, in the coming years, join the growing community of professionals supporting and sustaining the National Health Service.
Professor Sally Moyle, Pro Vice Chancellor, Health and Science at the University of Worcester, said: “Congratulations to our nursing graduates. They’ve worked hard to gain their professional qualifications, and we’re delighted to see so many choose careers in the NHS locally.”
She added: “From their academic work to the work placements they’ve undertaken, our graduate nurses have proven that they have what it takes to make a difference to patients and their families across the health and care system.”
Next week, thousands of graduates will receive their degree certificates in a series of ceremonies at Worcester Cathedral, as their time studying with the University of Worcester comes to an end and many begin careers across all sectors of society in Worcester and beyond.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk