Page 285 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

They went on to design three practical workshops, lasting around

two hours, one for each year of the adult nursing degree at the
university.

Launched as part of the curriculum in 2017, year one begins with
Art of Communication, including how students communicate with

each other as well as patients. The second year is Drama out of
Crisis, about teamwork and multi-tasking in an emergency

situation, and the third is called Voice at the Back, which looks at

techniques to help with leadership and confidence, including
speaking out and being heard.

Analysis of feedback shows that around 90% of those taking part

think the workshops will have a positive effect on their practice,

while around 85% said they had drawn on the learning during
their next placement.

‘Anecdotally too, most people are positive,’ says Dr Mermikides.
‘It’s different to how they are usually taught. There’s something

about this approach that gives people time to work things
through perhaps a little more slowly, with a priority for the

emotional side of nursing that may not always have been the

case.

‘Whenever we do a workshop or a show, there are always people

who want to stay behind and talk. It feels like it’s answering a
need.’

‘The show was like a reality-check for me’