A thriller. This is how the registered nurses and students from the Philippines described their overall experience in studying at Buckinghamshire New University in UK. Through the help of Inter-Ed, they were systematically enrolled to BSc (Hons) Nursing and Healthcare and BSc (Hons) Professional Nursing Studies and/or to an optional module Overseas Nursing Programme (ONP) which can lead to becoming registered nurses in the UK with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) upon graduation. All students coming from different parts of the world—but dominated mainly by Filipinos—complimented the quality of the course. They spent half their week on clinical placement and half studying at the university.
Oliver Tadila, 23, from Manila, has lived in the UK for almost three years and now lives in Aylesbury, is working on placement at a care home in the town. He said life inside the classroom at Bucks is different to what he had been used to in the Philippines.“Here, rather than simply being told what to do and directed towards the texts and books to read, you are also encouraged to think independently.” he added.
Modhel Galor, 28, from Mindanao, on the other hand, is carrying out her placement at a nursing home in Westminster, London.“I worked as a health care assistant in Devon for two years and had been intending to return to the Philippines before learning about this course, and that the teaching was blended with a placement. It seemed perfect for me. Thanks to this course, I am feeling very positive about my future.”she said.
And lastly, Vladimir Cepeda, 25, also from Manila, said: “Before I came to Bucks I looked at several universities and noted that New Bucks University had a Highly Trusted grading (UK Border Agency rating for Universities) which reassured me that it would provide value for money, deliver the right training and also lead me on to a career in nursing. It is a fair deal to study here and is worth the money. We are used to the teacher just telling us everything in the classroom but here it is more research-based so the tutor facilitates the class and we get to discuss the cases we encounter on placement and also those we may come across in hospitals.”
Apparently these students were not the only ones delighted with the course, Crystal Oldman, Dean of Business and Enterprise, Society & Health at the said university, was equally pleased as she witnessed the students actually enjoying their new surroundings. “This is the first time we have run this course with the work-based learning structure and we are very pleased with the level and quality of employer engagement and the valuable experiences we are able to give to our students – the course is proving to be incredibly popular” she said. When asked about the next schedule for the interest of several nurses in the Philippines here and abroad, she answered, “The next intake will be this February and we are ready to run a third in September.”
Interested students may contact International Education Specialists for free personal interview at 819-1001 or emailintl_edu_specialists@pldtdsl.netto gain more details about the different programs available. All students should have at least one year of post-licensure work experience as a staff nurse to qualify for Registration in the UK.
