The University of Southampton’s Bachelor of Nursing (BN) nursing degrees were the first in the country to adopt the new Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards.

These new nursing degree courses give students the choice between completing a single-field course in 3 years and a dual-field course in 4 years.

The single-field nursing degree course can be completed in the child, adult or mental health fields of practice. Whereas the dual-field nursing degree course can either be completed in the adult and mental health, or adult and child fields of practice.

These new nursing degree programmes are leading the way in training and were designed to prepare nurses to lead discovery through research-based training and creating change through innovation.

The BN nursing degree curriculum at the University of Southampton was highly rated by the NMC on several points, in particular the ‘Southampton values-based model' which emphasises the vital importance of intelligent, compassionate and sensitive care.

Southampton nursing degree students are made to focus on their attitudes, beliefs, values and professionalism from the outset, to ensure that patients receive the high quality care they deserve.

Key characteristics of the BN nursing degree programme include: an emphasis on research based learning, the development of graduate attributes, grading of practice, and the joined-up inter-professional approach to shared learning between nurses, midwives and their physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry colleagues.

The University of Southampton also offers an MN masters degree in nursing: this graduate entry programme will enable students to become highly competent, knowledgeable and skilful practitioners, who are able to provide the highest quality care in their chosen field.

Many former University of Southampton students are now in senior positions in the NHS and other healthcare organisations. In 2009, 93% of the University of Southampton’s Health Sciences graduates found work or enrolled in further study.

It is possible to learn more about nursing degree courses at the University of Southampton by visiting the Health Sciences web-site at www.southampton.ac.uk/healthsciences/