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Islanders interested in becoming a nurse can learn about the degree courses available in Jersey at an event next week.
Health and Community Services is looking for islanders interested in becoming part of the caring profession by undertaking one of the three-year degree courses it runs in conjunction with the University of Chester.
Islanders training to be an adult nurse have been able to study and undertake practical work experience in Jersey since 2013. In 2014, HCS also launched degree courses in midwifery, children’s nursing and mental health nursing. Students on these courses study off-island and take work placements in Jersey.
Trainee nurse Marion McFarlane said: “Deciding to leave my job in finance to train to become a nurse, scared me a lot but once I’d handed in my noticed I felt comfortable with my decision. Having studied the access course and two GCSEs at Highlands I knew I’d made the right choice.
“I am now nine weeks into the nursing course and I am absolutely loving every minute. The coursework is interesting and varied and I am excited about my placement. The lecturers are very supportive, and our little class is fab, with a mix of different ages. I can honestly say that I have not looked back, not even for a second.”
Since 2013, 42 islanders have qualified as nurses or midwives. There are currently 54 islanders in training – 45 in adult nursing, five in midwifery and four in mental health nursing.
Daouya Miri was a healthcare assistant for seven years before choosing to train to be a nurse. “Being a health care assistant is very rewarding,” she said. “I have learned many new skills and it also gave me a good insight into a nursing career. I chose to develop my career and train as an adult nurse as we now have the opportunity to study full-time in Jersey. This suited my lifestyle and I discovered we have much smaller groups in Jersey so are able to access higher levels of individualised support.”
Julie Mesny, Head of Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Education, urged islanders interested in becoming a nurse or midwife to attend an open event on Monday 16 December.
She added: “I’m delighted that Jersey’s nursing and midwife degree programmes have proven to be successful. We now have more than 40 homegrown nurses and midwives and even more in training. It is extremely gratifying watching our homegrown talent develop into highly capable professionals who will support islanders for many years to come.”
Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf said: “Recruiting nurses is a problem worldwide due to a shortage of trained professionals. It is wonderful that Jersey has worked with Chester University to find a partial solution to the issue and I’m pleased that our nursing degrees have proven very popular.”
To find out more about the open event on Monday 16 December, or to book a place phone 01543 444210 or email Denise Worley on d.worley@health.gov.je or preregteam@health.gov.je.
More information on the nursing degree programmes can be found on gov.je: https://www.gov.je/Working/WorkingForTheStates/NursingJersey/Pages/NursingMidwiferyDegree.aspx
