Recently qualified students are pinning their hopes on a nursing career after receiving their University of Wolverhampton nurses’ badges at a moving ceremony recently.
The 60 pre-registration student nurses, who were based at the University’s Walsall Campus, all qualified during the Covid-19 pandemic. The students completed their Master’s and undergraduate degrees in Adult Nursing as well as Learning Disability Nursing and Children’s Nursing undergraduate degree courses earlier this year.
Badges are traditionally given out to represent the institute where the nurses have trained. The ceremony was held at St Matthew’s Church in Walsall with friends and family present and music performances, including The Last Post.
Lisa Mould, Head of Nursing at the University, said: “Most of our students this year have completed most of their course during the pandemic with many of them working on their health and social care placements so their work and learning experience has been intense. It’s wonderful that they are now being able to celebrate their achievements in front of their relatives and friends at this badge ceremony which has been organised by three of our students.”
Adult Nursing student responsible for organising the Badge Ceremony, Becky Gladwin, said: “For me the last year has been a rollercoaster of emotions and learning to cope with the changes that we have had to face.
“Online learning was difficult at times and so many times I could have given up but with the support of family and friends I pushed through and completed the course. While out on placement during the pandemic I witnessed the pressures staff were under but also how they worked together as a team to get each other through the shifts.
“I held many patients’ hands and chatted with them to make them feel safe, cared for and never alone, especially at a time when visitors were not allowed to the wards. Being able to celebrate tonight allows the cohort to come together with family and friends to celebrate three years of hard work and determination to reach our goals of becoming registered nurses.”
Abigail Vaughan, Learning Disability Nursing student who is now working in the community in Dudley, said: “To be a student nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic has had its highs and lows.
“From being deployed, working part-time, juggling personal life and academia. Thankfully we made it to the end and now attending our badge ceremony feels like we are finally finishing the degree.
“It has been an eventful 3 years, but to now being in a full time Community Learning Disability Nursing job role is extremely rewarding and worth every minute.”
Children’s Nursing student working in the Public Health Sector in Walsall, Laura Hammond, said: “University-wise the support has been amazing. I’ve felt really supported during the last difficult year.
“It’s been really demanding at times because on our placements we’ve been on the frontline. I was working in Accident and Emergency and it was really hard, but it was also rewarding and I’m proud to say that I’ve qualified in the last year of the pandemic.”
Anyone looking to study at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of the forthcoming Open Days.
