College of Human and Health Sciences shortlisted for two Student Nursing Times Awards

Please note, this page has been archived and is no longer being updated.

Swansea University’s College of Human and Health Sciences has been shortlisted in the Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Pre-Registration) category, as well as the Student Placement of the Year (Community) category in the Student Nursing Times Awards 2014.

Increasing calls for an all-degree nursing profession require universities to ensure that their courses reflect the changing demands of the syllabus and provide continuing education and professional development is essential for nurses once they are qualified.

By reaching the shortlist in the Nurse Education Provider of the Year Pre-Registration category, Swansea University has demonstrated excellence in the following areas:

  • educational environment that nurtures and develops talent from the outset through to graduation.
  • teaching staff that inspire, enthuse and motivate as well as educate the next generation of nurses.
  • resources that give students plenty of scope to back up their academic training. 
  • teaching methods that enrich the learning experience and deepen the students' understanding.
  • support of students both emotionally and practically during their course of study through guidance and coaching. 
  • developing and upholding the professionalism of nurses, ensuring they understand and adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct.
  • Developing academic achievements, practical skills and interpersonal and communication qualities.
  • Career advice and practical guidance.

Simone BedfordThe nursing programme was nominated for the award by Simone Bedford, Senior Nurse Lecturer at Swansea University, following a long period of illness. Explaining her reasons for nominating the university for the award, Simone said: “I nominated the College of Human and Health Science for this award due to the tremendous amount of support I had received during a long period of sickness. 

“All of the staff and students supported my return to work and I felt I should give something back. The undergraduate nursing programme has gone from strength to strength and it is the whole team and the students who are responsible for this”.

During Summer Graduation 2012, Simone was one of eight lecturers who received the Distinguished Teacher Award by Swansea University. The award was presented through nomination by students and selection by a judging panel, for individuals who had demonstrated the excellence of their teaching and efforts to enhance student learning.

Matthew Spurr, a Swansea University BN Nursing student, nominated the Brecon district team for the Student Placement of the Year (Community) award.

The Student Placement of the Year (Community) award seeks to recognise community settings that demonstrate an excellence in:

  • making time for the student to be properly supported throughout their placement, scheduling time for reflection and practising relevant skills
  • both emotional and practical support from the management team as well as from the mentor
  • integration of the student nurse and midwife into the team, using their supernumerary status to ensure they get valuable and valid learning experiences during their time on placement
  • use of innovative "hands-on" teaching skills to ensure the student gets the chance to put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom
  • tailoring the learning process to meet the needs of particular students
  • developing and upholding the professionalism of nurses, ensuring they understand and adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct
  • a culture that inspires, enthuses and motivates students with brilliant attitudes throughout the team
  • offering advice and guidance to protect and ensure safety of student nurses and midwives at work

In addition to the College of Human and Health Sciences being shortlisted in two categories, Alyson Davies, a Senior Lecturer in the Children and Young People's Nursing Team within the College has been invited to be a judge for the award of the Student Nurse of the year – Children.

Simone Bedford, Senior Lecturer, Shelly Hill, Senior Clerical Assistant (Placements), Gwyneth Warner, Senior Lecturer and Programme Manger Pre-Registration BSc Nursing , and student nurse Joanne Gwilym will attend the event on behalf of the College of Human and Health Sciences.

This year’s Student Nursing Times Awards received a record-breaking number of entries, with double the number of talented student nurses, education providers, and mentors entering compared to the inaugural awards ceremony in 2013.

The lunchtime awards ceremony offers a perfect opportunity for colleagues, teams, friends and family to support the student nursing profession as a whole.

The winners of the Student Nursing Times Awards 2014 will be announced on 1 May at the London Hilton on Park Lane. 

Picture: Simone Bedford