Our student and academic members talked with Members of the Senedd about the university's proposals, sharing their unique insights into what makes a Cardiff University education great and why nursing in Wales would be diminished without it.
Members also took the opportunity to discuss other student related challenges with the politicians, like student financing, support to develop research in academia, workforce planning, placements and more.
Helen Whyley, RCN Wales Executive Director, addressed the assembled members and politicians, emphasising how the closure of such a prestigious institution’s nursing programme will have a significant impact on the future of nursing in Wales. She noted how Cardiff University's highly skilled, compassionate graduates have gone on to serve communities locally and across Wales, winning recognition as RCN Wales Nurse of the Year.
Following the event, Nico Campbell, third year adult nursing student at Cardiff University, said: “I think it's really important that we've been invited here today to take part in this political process, to make ourselves heard. I think we all really appreciate the time that the Members of the Senedd gave to us.”
Emilie Broad, social media and communications lead for the Save Nursing student-led campaign, said: “I found today's meetings really productive. I felt like we've been listened to and we've been heard and that the understanding of nursing education has been developed further…I feel it's really important for Cardiff to keep nursing education as the only Russell Group that offers nursing in the Welsh language, for the Welsh NHS and for the Welsh language users."
Speaking about what one thing he'd want the Welsh Government to take away from the meeting, Dr Richard Hellyar, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at Cardiff University, said: “This is the tip of the iceberg, that the impact on society is going to be huge. This is the start of the crack. It's a huge crack. And I want them to stand up and take notice that, if we don't intervene now, this is just going to get worse and worse and worse across society, not just education and nursing."
Show your support by signing and sharing the petition to enable Cardiff University to keep the Nursing degree course and get it debated in the Senedd.
