Student nurses coming to Derby to study are set to benefit from state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities at a new multi-million pound education centre.
The University of Nottingham’s
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy Education Centre will offer flexible classrooms, a four-bed bay skills suite, virtual learning hub and a large multidisciplinary library.
The new building has been built at a cost of more than £4.5 million, funded by
Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Its location at the Royal Derby Hospital will give students access to facilities already on offer at the adjacent School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health and will place students at the heart of quality patient care facilities, offering the chance to draw on the expertise of specialist NHS nurses based on the site.
Elaine Cook, Head of Division of Nursing for School of Nursing, Midwifery & Physiotherapy at The University of Nottingham, said: “This is a very exciting development for the school and will provide students with an excellent learning environment.
“Being part of the hospital will create a vibrant, modern hub and benefit students’ clinical education. It will also promote stronger staff collaborations and nurture new research opportunities.”
Superior facilities
Staff and existing students have been enjoying all the superior new facilities on offer, after recently moving into the new building from their previous home at the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
The new school will be home to 80 students on the University’s BSc (Hons) Nursing course and 80 students studying adult, child or mental health nursing on its Graduate Entry Nursing (GEN) course. In addition, the Derby centre will also cater for almost 250 healthcare professionals studying professional development courses from Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Brigid Stacey, Director of Patient Experience and Chief Nurse at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted the School of Nursing is now on the Royal Derby Hospital site. Students, university staff and hospital staff will all benefit from the stunning new facilities and ensure Derby continues to have a nursing workforce to be proud of. It will play a big part in helping Derby continue to attract the brightest and best new students who will then hopefully continue their careers with us for the benefit of Derby patients.
“Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career, and needs people who not only have the passion to care for people, but also can make the right decisions for the benefit of patients. Providing Graduate Entry Nurse Education in the new School of Nursing will help secure high quality nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy graduates, who provide compassionate care and strong leadership.”
Art for healing
The new building also features a sculpture by local Derby artist Daniel Lingham, whose work is influenced by contemporary architecture and seeks to blend natural forms with human design.
The sculpture Volubilis, commissioned by Professor Paul Crawford and funded by the University, captures the human desire for serenity, while at the same time creating a sense of movement and change.
Professor Crawford, who leads research on how the arts and humanities can shape and transform healthcare, health and well-being, said: “In an era of fast, demanding healthcare, this calming, harmonious art work should be a welcome symbol at the entrance to the new educational facility.
“More than ever before our hospitals need to invest in compassionate design of their spaces and services. I hope the sculpture is a simple reminder to our future nurses of the value of art for healing and recovery.”
More information about studying at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy at The University of Nottingham is available at http://nottingham.ac.uk/nmp/home.aspx
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham, described by The Sunday Times University Guide 2011 as ‘the embodiment of the modern international university’, has 40,000 students at award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. It is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 75 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and the QS World University Rankings. It was named ‘the world’s greenest university’ in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking 2011.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. The University’s vision is to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health. The University won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2011, for its research into global food security.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fund-raising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news