Wolverhampton students awarded special badge to celebrate qualification

Students studying for Undergraduate degrees in Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Learning Disability Nursing were each presented with a badge funded by The Joan Argyle Shambaugh Bursary to mark the end of their studies.   

Badges are traditionally given out to represent the institute where the nurses have trained.  

The driven students in attendance successfully qualified as registered nurses and celebrated at the event with their friends and families, marking a huge moment in their path to achieving their dreams. 

Linda Stirling, Senior Lecturer (Adult Nursing) at the University, said: “Graduation is a wider recognition of the students’ success in terms of the theory they have learned throughout the course but it’s important to remember that they are all dual-qualified and the badging ceremony recognises their professional qualification and their practice. 

“It’s a little bit more of an informal event, celebrated with families and friends, whereby students get involved in its organisation, give speeches and share poems in this beautiful setting at the heart of Walsall where they have studied. 

“It really is wonderful and an honour for staff to see them reach the end of their journey in such spectacular style.”  

Emily Carless, 21, from Willenhall, is a Learning Disability Nursing student and is now employed by the Black Country NHS Trust as a Community Learning Disability Nurse. 

She said: “My mom is a nurse and I always wanted to follow in her footsteps. I was diagnosed with an eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa, when I was a teenager and didn’t think it would be possible for me to pursue a nursing career with a registered disability. I am blind in the dark and field of vision is shorter but I was cleared by Occupational Health to study to be a nurse. 

“I always wanted to go to university and, in particular, wanted to study in healthcare, and the University has been really supportive with my disability. I have had placements in the community and loved the work but can’t drive and my employer has been really good at making reasonable adjustments to help me get out into the community. 

“We do physical health assessments with patients and determine what health needs to be met, and we put the relevant health plans into place. My job is extremely rewarding and I always come home from work happy.” 

Sarah Smith, Adult Nursing student, 32 from Walsall, who is now employed by Walsall NHS Trust, Same Day Emergency Care, said: “I left school without any GCSEs and had no idea what I wanted to do. I thought I would end up working in a chip shop or a café. I had no direction really. As time went on, I got a glimpse into how healthcare was helping people, with some of my family being poorly. 

“In my late 20s I really began to think about my future and I started my journey towards a career in nursing when I was 11 weeks’ pregnant. It wasn’t easy, and it has been a bit of a struggle juggling life as a parent with studying. 

"I had to pass my Maths and English GCSEs and then I went on to study an Access course at college, before getting a place at the University and, even though I had to take a year out, I’ve finally managed to get my degree and I have a new job. 

“I wanted to do something that counted, and to do something to inspire my son and he’s now growing up seeing me work hard to get what I wanted.” 

A spokesperson for the University of Wolverhampton, said: "For more information about the range of Nursing and Healthcare courses at the University, check out the website or visit one of our Open Days. "