Our newest nurses start with ice-breaking and Question Time with the Dean

University of Northampton’s latest nursing students started three years of studies today with a packed induction of speeches, tours and the chance to grill their faculty Dean.

The day kicked off with a mammoth ice-breaker session as they got to know their new peers, helping them to finely hone their communication skills, essential for any nurse.

Our current nursing students (left) helped welcome the newest nurses on campus (right).

After meeting with their course leaders and being informed about the student support available for them at University of Northampton, they were shown around our Park Campus, their temporary ‘home’ until we move to our new Waterside Campus in September 2018.

Dr. Steve O’Brien, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Society, spoke about his experiences as a nurse, admitting that this started “way back in 1978” when he started his nurse training: “Our latest students’ journey in nursing starts here today and will continue for some time to come, just the same as mine does. It is a privilege to have them joining the profession.”

He also chaired a ‘Question Time’ style grilling from the audience, in which our future nurses asked how they will find what specialism is right for them and how to keep their cool after a traumatic event.

The panel advising them to try various nursing roles during their placements and to use debriefing sessions and formal supervisions after emergency scenarios comprised senior nursing staff from across the county.

Joining Steve O’Brien were:

• Maggie Coe the Associate Director Nursing & Midwifery at Northampton General Hospital
• Diane Postle Kettering General Hospital’s Deputy Director of Nursing
• Ged Rogers, Clinical Education Manager for St Andrew’s Healthcare.

Faculty of Health and Society Dean Dr. Steve O’Brien (right) was joined by senior country nurses (from l-r) Ged Rogers, Diane Postle and Maggie Coe.

These nurses will graduate in 2020 and our next intake (Adult and Mental Health Nursing only) will be in March next year.

Find out more about our nursing courses.