Agencies get together to promote nursing training

National Nurses Day at UCS Waterfront building on Monday (Image: Archant)

University Campus Suffolk showcased the important work of nurses on National Nurses Day by hosting an awareness event in the Waterfront building on Monday.

Representatives from all nursing courses at UCS were present; BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, BSc (Hons) Child Nursing and BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing.

The event was supported by partner agencies including Suffolk Age UK, OneLife Suffolk and NHS Ipswich Hospital.

Those attending were invited to participate in thinking about the role of a nurse as well as taking part in some more light-hearted activities including ‘Guess the Weight of the Nurse’.

National Nurses Day at UCS Waterfront building on Monday (Image: Archant)

Those present at the event were asked to consider their opinions of what makes a good nurse. Compassion figured highly in many of the responses, and one respondent summarised the role by saying: “I admire nurses as I think they give a lot of their time to look after people….Still they care and they make their best. They are also as important as doctors, because both make a powerful team that saves lives.”

Rowena Harland from Ipswich Hospital highlighted how a new coaching philosophy, PEBLS (Practice Education Based Learning in Suffolk), works in supporting nursing students in practice.

Caroline Woodward from OneLife Suffolk raised awareness of how we can help local people live healthier lives through services such as ‘STOP Smoking’ and ‘Become More Active’.

Vanessa Lomax, attended on behalf of Suffolk Age UK. She said: “It was a good opportunity to raise awareness of how the voluntary sector can support with hospital admissions and supported discharge.”

Lead Admissions Tutor at UCS, Linda Johnson, said “Overall the day was very successful and we hope to build on this success with next year’s event.”