Green light for pioneering new Nursing programme

The programme, which aims to develop outstanding nursing leaders, has been given a clean bill of health after it was recommended for approval in February.

The structure and ambition of the programme reflects Exeter’s commitment to developing the future of nursing. The curriculum has been developed in collaboration with nurses and patients, and with Devon Partnership, North Devon, the Royal Devon and Exeter, the Torbay and South Devon Trusts.

The programme is structured around Exeter’s unique ‘six pillars’ of nursing: patient and public involvement; fundamental essentials of nursing care; evidence for practice; no health without mental health; leadership and management of healthcare; global health.

Professor David Richards, Head of Nursing at the University of Exeter, said: “I’m delighted with this approval, which means we are now all systems go for welcoming our first students to the University of Exeter Academy of Nursing in September. We will develop highly professional nurses: scientist-practitioners who are capable of leading exceptional, comprehensive, person centred and evidence-based care in a true partnership with the people they are caring for.”

Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said: “This approval is a real landmark in a strand of research and education that is a priority for us at Exeter. Developing Nursing is a key part of the future of healthcare and the NHS. Highly unusually, this programme was recommended for approval with no conditions, which is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved – well done to all!”