Preparing the new nursing generation

With the United Kingdom formally leaving the European Union, the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, and the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were stepping down from royal duties, the first months of 2020 had already set the stage for a momentous year. Then came March 23 and the announcement of a UK-wide lockdown due to coronavirus.

After lockdown, terms such as Covid-19, social distancing, self-isolation, PPE and, perhaps most notably, ‘key workers’, quickly became part of our everyday vocabulary.

In this edition of the University of Derby Magazine we shine a particular spotlight on nursing and allied healthcare professionals, with our lead feature exploring the value of these roles and the challenges the health sector faces, as well as showcasing how the University of Derby is helping to prepare the next generation of nurses.

Headshot of Kelly Tyler, Editor, smiling

Nurses, teachers and supermarket staff (to list but a few) have selflessly played their part in responding to the global pandemic, with the compassion and dedication of these unsung heroes being an inspiration to us all.

Kelly Tyler
Editor

Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, around 500 of our nursing students have been supporting staff in hospitals and other care settings across the region, and you can read more about the University’s civic response to the crisis in this issue.

You will also gain an insight into how our graduates are helping to put the city at the forefront of the technological revolution, and learn more about the impact of flexible working and the gig economy on employees, as well as read about the essential skills needed for the future in a special roundtable feature with guests from across the city and county.

Pulling this digital issue together while remote working has been no mean feat so we hope you enjoy the read. Join in the conversation and share your thoughts with us using #DerbyUniMagazine on social media or by emailing editor@derby.ac.uk.