Middlesex University was the first university to offer a degree in European Nursing and it is continuing as strong as ever.
The European Nursing course enjoys partnerships with nine institutions across Europe which host our nursing students either on placement and theory or just placement, enabling students to expand their horizons and experience nursing practice in completely different social and cultural settings.
We also host students reciprocally from these countries, providing a huge opportunity for our own students to discuss nursing in other countries and further expand their experiences.
One graduate, Ibrahim Ghazy, went to Finland for six months of his programme and spent his holidays there too, living in the Scandinavian country for a total of eight months. He maintains that the experience of his BSc European Nursing degree changed his life.
"It gave me a real advantage over my colleagues," he explains.
On returning to London and graduating with a first-class honours, he was immediately offered three different positions at various Trusts – a success he attributes to the skills he gained during his time in Finland.
"None of this would have happened if I hadn't had my European experience," he says.
"It shows that you can adapt to different situations. When employers see in your statement letter that you studied European Nursing, they are immediately interested."
Ibrahim Ghazy, BSc European Nursing (Adult) - read more about his experience
Another successful graduate, Elizabeth Ruck, successfully completed six months of her degree in Finland too and was recognised for her outstanding practice by being was shortlisted for the Student Nurse of the Year: Children at the 2016 Student Nursing Times Awards.
“The last three years have been incredible, especially the opportunity to work abroad and experience the fantastic care of nurses and other medical staff,” says Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Ruck BSc European Nursing (Child) - spent 6 months in Finland
Going on an exchange is not an easy option and requires strength of character and a deep commitment. BSc European Nursing course leader Sheila Cunningham takes a ‘community of practice approach’ to guide support, as well as the mental and physical preparation required for an exchange starting in her students’ first year of studies.
Students go on exchange in the third year, but have the opportunity to ‘buddy’ incoming students from partner countries to support their preparation and help them identify the country they wish to exchange with.
This life changing experience extends now to shorter placement opportunities for nursing students under the Erasmus exchange scheme with a wide of partners such as in Spain, Italy, Malta, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.
