Procession to mark graduation
A Black Country university was all aglow when its student nurses marked their graduation with a lamp parade.
More than 100 student nurses carried symbolic Florence Nightingale-style lamps from the University to St Peter’s Church in the city centre.
Adult nursing and mental health nursing students took part in the opportunity ahead of their graduation ceremonies this month.
It is the fifth time the event has been held by the university.
The choice of the Florence Nightingale lamp was significant for many reasons.
Firstly, and most famously, Nightingale was a nurse during the Crimean War and helped save the lives of many soldiers.
Secondly, it is also linked to the Practical Nursing Pledge, a form of Hippocratic oath for nurses, named after Florence Nightingale.
Following the ceremony’s opening by the Living Water Church Choir, attendees heard stories from students and staff at the faculty of education, health and wellbeing.
Dance troupe, Cristie’s Academy of Dance, also gave a performance in celebration of the achievements of the soon-to- be graduates.
Also present were the friends and family of the students.
Student nurses Joshua Williams and Emily Wates, who helped organise the event said: "Adult and mental health field nursing graduates who began their training in September 2014 were invited to attend this celebratory event to acknowledge their personal and professional achievements."
The event was organised by the student committee representing the group, known collectively as Cohort 214 and during the event, all students received an enamel university badge.
Senior lecturer Juliet Drummond said: "Our student nurses have worked hard in achieving an academic and professional qualification and will now enjoy the fruits of their labour. We are very proud of their achievements."
She added: "They have learned and demonstrated how to care for someone compassionately, competently, and safely."
