March 2024
University shortlisted again for best student experience and top education provider in nursing awards
By Carrie Mok
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University College Birmingham has once again been shortlisted for Best Student Experience and Nurse Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration) in the national Student Nursing Times Awards 2024.
In both categories, the University is one of six nominees vying for the top award. In the Best Student Experience category, judges selected University College Birmingham as a nominee based on its excellence in nursing education and the employment of motivational and inspiring teaching staff.
The judges also lauded the “phenomenal resources and teaching environment, including simulation laboratories and equipment”, pointing to the institution’s state-of-the-art health simulation suite in Moss House with a six-bed ward, simulation manikins and immersive virtual reality equipment. The investment into the health suite is part of a wider £180 million investment into campus facilities.
The superb relationships between University College Birmingham and its placement providers were also complimented as “well-rounded and well-executed”.
The judges also applauded the institution on areas including:
- An emphasis on academic achievement and hands-on clinical skills and people skills
- Development of vital strengths and traits for those entering the profession – such as compassion and the ability to challenge
- Well-respected and well-used cohort and peer support groups to help assist and coach students through their course
- Evidence of students being enabled to influence the programme for the benefit of their cohort and those in future
- Superb university facilities to support busy student lives
- Opportunities for social interaction and varied extracurricular activities
- Positive learning community that makes students feel part of the institution
- An institution that communicates its ethos and encourages integration into student life
For the Nurse Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration) category, judges recognised that University College Birmingham stood out from the crowd, with “high standards of academic and practical teaching” and “excellent resources on offer to inspire [learners] and nurture their development.”
Judges also said that the University excelled in:
- Offering an educational environment that nurtures and develops the talent of student nurses and midwives
- Recruiting talented teaching staff who inspire, enthuse and motivate as well as educate
- Providing resources that give students scope to consolidate their academic training
- Developing teaching methods that enrich the learning experience and deepen understanding
- Providing emotional and practical support for students during their course of study through guidance and coaching
- Developing and upholding the professionalism of nurses and midwives
- Nurturing academic achievements, practical skills and interpersonal and communication qualities
"To even reach the shortlisting stage is an achievement in itself. The team working on the BSc nursing programmes are so happy that their hard work has been recognised and the students are ecstatic that their unique University College Birmingham experience is in the spotlight. Let's hope we bring those awards back to Birmingham this year!"
University College Birmingham also separately put forward The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for the Student Placement of the Year (hospital) award, where the University partners with the Trust for its undergraduate student nurse training.
The category recognises that the Trust goes the “extra mile to manage the anxieties associated with going on placement by providing a structured learning environment that helps students to develop and flourish”.
This includes “clearly setting out what students will be exposed to during their time at the hospital, and ensuring they are supported to learn, practise skills and gain knowledge from those around them with more experience”.
Steph Mawson, Practice Placement Manager at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our team has been recognised and I am so proud of the Clinical Teams at ROH who go above and beyond every day to support and teach our students. We do get really positive feedback from students, but to be nominated by University College Birmingham and shortlisted for this award showcases the impact our Clinical Teams have on our student learners.”
Kathryn Riley, Director of Nurse Education at University College Birmingham, commented: “We nominated the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital as the Trust provides a consistently outstanding placement experience for students. So much so that students request to go back for further placements after their first allocation, and many students want to obtain work at the Trust on qualification. What shines through from student feedback is how much they have learned, how supported they were and that everything we taught them at University has prepared them for practice at the Trust.”
“Staff are excellent role models, going the extra mile to ensure students are supported as individuals, and it’s clear the positive working relationship between nursing and allied health professional staff enables students to really understand the full patient journey and the complexity of inter-professional working for the benefit of person-centred care.”
The Student Nursing Times Awards will be held on Friday 26 April 2024 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.
Find out more about nursing and the Department of Health at University College Birmingham or explore our full course range.
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