New skills zones for nurses of the future

Located at the university’s Falmer and Eastbourne campuses, the zones – or open access areas – will provide adult, child and mental health nursing undergraduate students with the equipment to study at a time that suits them.

The areas will both be active from the start of term this September.

The initiative is in support of the PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) project, a student-led scheme in which issues relating to course material and student life can be discussed in an informal environment with peers and trained student facilitators.

Nursing PASS leaders can assist our students their independent practice in the new skills zones.

The skills students can practice in the zones include: ECG electrode application, nutritional assessment, basic life support, aseptic technique and urinalysis peak flow measurement.

Dr Nita Muir of the university’s School of Health Sciences said: “We are delighted with this important development that is being led by our Nursing skills team and involving our student Pass leaders.

“At the heart of what we do here in the Nursing BSc(Hons) course is to develop graduate nurses to deliver excellent, compassionate and evidence-based care to others.

“This initiative will enhance our students’ journey, enabling them to enhance their practical skills in a peer supported environment.”

The timetable for each room will be posted outside each week to allow students to see when the room is available.

Open access times are: 8am to 9am, 12pm to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm.