Posted 30 August 2022 - 02:00
Posted 30 August 2022 - 02:00
News
University and NHS launch local ‘1,000 nurses’ recruitment plan
Project aims to boost recruitment and opportunities for students in Coventry and Warwickshire over five years, with introduction of more flexible courses
Project aims to boost recruitment and opportunities for students in Coventry and Warwickshire over five years, with introduction of more flexible courses
A university is working with local NHS services on a campaign to recruit an extra 1,000 nurses into roles in the area over the next five years.
Coventry University and Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System launched the Project 1000 recruitment drive in response to the national shortage of nurses.
Creating more flexible degree courses
The campaign comes as university admissions data show a 7% drop in the number of students accepted onto nursing degree courses in the UK this year, despite widespread vacancies across health and social care services.
Coventry University pro-vice-chancellor for health and life sciences Lisa Bayliss-Pratt said the university had created new courses designed to make learning more flexible, accessible and attractive to would-be nurses.
These include blended nursing courses that mix online learning with clinical placements.
Benefits of a blended programme of study
Second-year nursing student Sharon Hanson, who is doing a BSc adult nursing blended learning course, said this arrangement suited her well. ‘I’m a single parent so having the flexibility of a blended learning course is wonderful,’ she said. ‘I’m on placement at Warwick Hospital in the endoscopy department and I’m loving it.’
Trusts across the region will also be offering students opportunities to work as healthcare assistants while studying.
In 2021-22 the university enrolled 1,753 new students on nursing and nursing associate courses at its three locations in Coventry, London and Scarborough.
Opening up placement opportunities
‘We are delighted to be working closely with our practice providers from the NHS across Coventry and Warwickshire to see how we can continue to develop and transform nursing careers for the next generation,’ said Professor Bayliss-Pratt.
‘We hope the 1,000 nurses campaign will open up more placement opportunities across health and social care to allow us to increase the number of places we have on our nursing courses.’
The university has places on courses starting in September and January, including its adult nursing degree and blended learning undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
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