Awards for Solent's nursing apprentices

Two apprentices in Solent's Department of Social Sciences and Nursing have taken home trophies across two events, with three more receiving recognition for excelling in both their studies and work.

At their Apprenticeship Awards on Tuesday 6 February, the Solent NHS Trust recognised Georgia Fabian and Ellie Peplinski, two Registered Nurse Degree apprentices at Solent University specialising in mental health.

First-year student, Georgia, won Heart Values Apprentice of the Year, recognising her commitment to the Trust's values and consistently going above and beyond in her apprenticeship. At the same ceremony, Ellie Peplinski, a third-year apprentice who is set to qualify in August 2024 and won Apprentice of the Year at the Solent Engage Awards in December 2023, was highly commended in the Clinical Apprentice of the Year category.

Neil Glasspool, Solent's Course Leader in Mental Health Nursing, says: "Georgia and Ellie are fantastic advocates for the apprenticeship nursing programme. They link the knowledge and skills learned in the taught sessions to their working environment and both provide support and role modelling to other colleagues. Furthermore, they demonstrate a compassionate and caring approach to working with people experiencing a mental health difficulty."

Praise was also given to members of Solent's graduate community with Ben Stephenson, an advocate of the Health Care Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship being highly commended, while Doreen Roots - who completed a Trainee Nursing Associate apprenticeship and topped it up with Adult Nursing - was among the nominees.

Sharon Guy, Solent's Academic Lead Nurse, says: "Congratulations to our apprentices who have won or been nominated for awards this week, recognising their academic and professional excellence. We are very proud that Solent University has been part of their journey, supporting and enabling them to excel in their ambitions. Our apprentice pathways provide opportunities for great potential and this week's success indicates big things for the future."

The endorsement of Solent's apprentices in the Department of Social Sciences and Nursing continued at Dorset County Hospital's inaugural National Apprenticeship Week Awards on Friday 9 February. At a ceremony which brought together professionals from the healthcare industry, Kim Whitfield, a Registered Nursing Degree Apprentice in her final year at Solent, won Most Dedicated Apprentice, recognising her commitment to patient care and excelling in her apprenticeship. Kim says:

"It was an honour to receive this award. I have been so grateful to Dorset County Hospital and Solent University for the opportunity to study, earn and train to become a Registered Nurse. Solent, with it's inclusive participation ethos, has allowed many students from diverse backgrounds train in this way. I have had tremendous support from the Adult Nursing tutors who are knowledgeable both in their field of expertise and in adult education."

Solent's Adult Nursing Course Leader, Karen Hawksworth, says: "Kim is thoughtful, enthusiastic, dedicated and 100% committed to improving patient care. She really flies the flag for apprentice nurses and is a fantastic example of how successful you can be on this route to the career you want."

More than 500 apprentices are currently flourishing at Solent across a variety of industries, from nursing to construction. Find out more about higher and degree apprenticeships here.