Demand for the University of Roehampton’s BSc Adult Nursing at Croydon University Centre has been significant, as the Vice Chancellor from Roehampton, and Principal and CEO of Croydon College this week (29 June) visited the new state-of-the-art, £1million nursing suite currently in the final stages of construction at Croydon.
Due to open in September, the new facility – the Clinical Simulation Centre* – mirrors the real-life settings of a hospital ward, providing students with unrivalled practical training and experiences they will face in their nursing careers.
The BSc Adult Nursing has already attracted a significant number of applications for the 2021/2022 academic year, driven by increased demand for such courses in the current Covid-19 pandemic environment.
The Clinical Simulation Centre will replicate realistic community and in-hospital settings for students who will safely practice clinical skills with other students, service users, role players and hi-tech patient simulators under the guidance of experienced clinical and academic staff from the University of Roehampton. As part of their degree, students will also take part in placements at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and other local health providers.
From left: Jo Rixon, University of Roehampton’s Head of Nursing; Professor Tony Stevenson, Croydon College’s Chair of Governors; Caireen Mitchell, Principal & CEO of Croydon College; Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Roehampton; Liam Hurley, Director of Strategy and External Relations at the University of Roehampton and Croydon College’s Head of Higher Education, Miemie Neethling-Taylor visit the Clinical Simulation Centre at Croydon University Centre
Both Croydon University Centre and the University of Roehampton have a strong commitment, through their strategic partnership, to widening participation in higher education through a range of other joint activities to support the skills and employability needs of Croydon.
Caireen Mitchell, Principal & CEO of Croydon College, said: “The contract between us and the University of Roehampton cements the foundation of the partnership agreement between the two institutions.
“It’s long been an ambition of mine, and the College, to bring nursing education to the borough. Visiting the site today and seeing the amazing facilities has brought those ambitions one step closer to becoming a reality. We’re delighted to be able to provide a course that is clearly in such high demand here in Croydon and we will continue to work hard to meet the skills needs of the local economy.”
Joining the visit was the new Head of Nursing, Jo Rixon who said: “It’s been great to be able to see the new Clinical Simulation Centre taking shape. These state-of-the-art facilities will give students training in a real-life setting, preparing them for their successful careers post-study. This is a really exciting development for both the University of Roehampton and Croydon University Centre and I can’t wait to get started with our students in September.”
Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Roehampton, said: “The new Clinical Simulation Centre will provide students with the ideal setting to learn both the practical and theoretical skills needed to embark on a fulfilling and rewarding nursing career. This profession is in urgent need for new entrants and we are proud to be teaching the nurses of tomorrow as well as continuing to widen opportunities to access higher education.”
