Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) welcome their second cohort of students onto their unique ‘Nursing with Leadership’ course, developed in partnership with the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. The course is specially designed to equip graduates with the technical and leadership skills required for critical positions within the NHS – such as matrons, wards managers, district nurses, and sister and charge nurses.
21 midwifery students and 23 nursing students have embarked on the two courses, compared to 17 students in total last year.
Students will complete an undergraduate Masters course in either nursing or midwifery, combined with leadership studies. These are the first courses of their kind in the UK and will guarantee graduates jobs within the NHS, with fast-track career development opportunities to strategic leadership positions.
Anne-Maria Newham, Director of Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Quality at LPT, said: “We are pleased to see this unique programme grow in success and run for a second year, and I warmly welcome the students on to the course. The skills and experience they will gain by studying and working with our Trust will be invaluable in their career development to nursing leadership.”
Professor Philip Baker, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Life Sciences, Dean of Medicine said: “We’re delighted to welcome a new cohort of students onto these unique courses that prioritise the development of leadership capability and are specifically aimed at those who, not only aspire to a career in the nursing or midwifery professions, but also who want to fast-track their careers into senior leadership.”
The outcome of this programme is three first-class courses including dual registration in nursing with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and one in midwifery. It combines significant hands-on clinical experience, with teaching about change and innovation and ensuring the students graduate with a range of management and leadership skills necessary for today’s and the future NHS.