Fresh crop of Stirling Uni nurses graduate as NHS Forth Valley recruit over half

A group of newly-graduated nurses from Stirling University celebrated their achievements alongside NHS Forth Valley’s Executive Nurse Director, Professor Frances Dodd and Director of Nursing, Professor Karen Goudie. The winter ceremonies saw around 220 student nurses complete their studies, with NHS Forth Valley recruiting more than half of the fresh graduates. Other nurses are set to take up positions in various NHS health boards including Lothian, Fife, and Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Professor Dodd expressed her delight at the decision of many graduate nurses to kick-start their careers with NHS Forth Valley. She highlighted the hard work of local staff in supporting nursing students during their education and practical placements. The partnership between Stirling University and NHS Forth Valley, established in 2022, aimed to enhance patient care, treatments, health research, and staff learning within the region. This collaboration, known as the Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership, focuses on learning, careers, research, and innovation.

Professor Ashley Shepherd, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at Stirling University, commended the graduating student nurses for their dedication. He emphasized the university’s reputation for producing competent practitioners equipped with clinical skills and essential qualities like compassion and resilience. The university takes pride in preparing nurses who excel in the ever-evolving healthcare service.

The partnership between Stirling University, Forth Valley College, and NHS Forth Valley has proven to be a successful initiative in nurturing and retaining talent within the healthcare sector. As nursing graduates embark on this new chapter of their careers, they bring with them a strong foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality care to patients in the local community.

In summary, the latest cohort of Stirling University nursing graduates marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between academic institutions and healthcare providers in Scotland. The partnership not only ensures a continuous supply of skilled healthcare professionals but also reinforces the commitment to delivering excellence in patient care and promoting advancements in the field of healthcare.