Nursing students studying at University Centre Somerset, part of Bridgwater & Taunton College were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to the College where they discussed the innovative nursing programmes and significant impact on healthcare education in Somerset.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness met student nurses who shared personal testimonials about the transformative effect their training has had on their lives, families, and future careers, highlighting the vital role the college is playing in delivering skills in Somerset to meet local needs.
Andy Berry CBE, Principal and CEO, stated,
'Our vision is to transform lives and communities through effective partnerships. We are the first college in the country to deliver nursing degrees and our provision was recently awarded a Queens Anniversary Prize.” He continued “Today’s visit is the icing on the cake, I was proud to be able to demonstrate our vision in action. The visit underscores the importance of our work and the profound impact it has on our students and the wider community."
Laira Pearson, Head of Nursing said,
“It was wonderful to meet The Princess Royal and discuss the achievements of our students and our journey to this point. Our journey started with a clear vision: to forge a strong network of healthcare partners who trust us to put our communities first, and provide training and education to create a sustainable pipeline of nurses, cultivating a robust local healthcare workforce for the future.”
The award-winning provision boasts cutting-edge technology and simulation equipment, providing students with hands-on experience that closely mirrors real-world nursing scenarios. This practical approach ensures that graduates are not only highly skilled but also ready to contribute effectively to the healthcare workforce upon qualification.