University News & Events

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programme is leading the way in Scotland, according to a study carried out on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The study, conducted as part of the annual review of nursing programmes across Scotland, has identified the Bachelor of Nursing programme as being first equal in the country in terms of completion and retention rates of students.  These findings are made more impressive by the fact that as part of its widening access policy, many of GCU’s nursing students come from socially disadvantaged areas where university would not have traditionally been considered an option and are the first in their families to obtain a university qualification.

Head of the Department of Health and Community Sciences, Jean Greig, welcomed the NES (NHS Education for Scotland) report as recognition of GCU’s determination to recruit a diverse range of dedicated students from different educational and social backgrounds.

Jean said: “We have a higher than average number of students entering through non traditional means and they are completing the course and graduating as highly-skilled professionals.

“Some of our students are school leavers but many others come from access to nursing courses or vocational programmes. GCU has strong links with FE colleges and earlier this year we signed an articulation agreement with colleges in Greenock, Anniesland and Cardonald which will give an even greater number of students the opportunity to study for a Bachelor of Nursing degree at the university.”

She added: “GCU is continuing to invest heavily in learning resources to enhance our student experience. Over £500,000 has just been spent to upgrade our already sophisticated clinical skills laboratory to create a national Inter-professional Clinical Simulation Centre.

“Using cutting edge technology, this facility will enable students of nursing to develop the skills they will require to practice as core members of inter-professional teams charged with delivering safe and effective care in modern health and social care settings.  We are determined to make the nursing learning resources at GCU the best in the country.”