Our latest Open University graduates - now staff nurses at CHFT- recently celebrated the completion of their four year course. We had a quick chat with Sophie Whitely - second left -  from Ward 19 to find out more.

What was the course like and is it diffcult?

It was hard, but probably equal to a normal nursing course. It's all distant learning, you don't go into Uni for your lectures, you stream in to a live lecture. You go to Uni at the beginning for a welcoming lecture and maybe once for each exam you take. 

What made you choose the course?

From being a HCA and seconding to a nurse was such an obvious next step. The right thing at the right time.

Would you recommend Open University?

Yes definitely. It's such a good way of learning and developing yourself around being able to earn at work as a HCA.

Do you think you'll take it further?

For now i'm relieved I've finished and i'm qualified but I probably will in time but not just yet. I'll get hot feet and want to do more.

I might do a mentorship. So I do a course at uni to then become a mentor for student nurses. 

What was graduation day like?

It was really lovely, such a nice day. Although we didn't get to do the classic cap throwing, we only got given the caps for pictures.

Vicki Sillitoe from Clinical education went along and said the following:

"We attended the OU graduation ceremony on the 11th May. It was a great celebration of their success and we wish all our OU graduates success in their future as they settle in to their new roles as staff nurses.  Well done to all our OU graduates!"

Pictured left to right: 

Cheryl Robinson OU graduate and Staff Nurse

Sophie Whitely OU graduate and Staff Nurse

Suzanne Rushton - OU practise tutor

Vicki Sillitoe - Senior clinical educator

Kelly Holmes OU graduate and Staff Nurse

Tracy Wilkinson OU graduate and Staff Nurse