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Authors: Dr Linda Pollock Professor Pam Smith Professor Daniel Kelly commemorative i s s u e History of Nursing Studies Compiled by Dr Veronica Adamson

Published by: Nursing Studies School of Health in Social Science The University of Medical School, Teviot Place Edinburgh, EH8 9AG Leaps Tel: +44(0)131 651 3972 Email: [email protected] in the Front cover: Nursing Studies group of 1961–66 Back cover: Nursing Studies group of 2006–10 YEARS of Dark © The 2017 NURSING STUDIES The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, TRANSFORMING registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH Designed by Graphic Design Service, The University of Edinburgh NURSING 3 4

Introduction

2016 saw Nursing Studies at the University Nursing Studies at the University of Edinburgh current and former staff and students met to “Everything showed how important the study of of Edinburgh celebrate 60 years of higher has succeeded in establishing an impressive look back at their time at Edinburgh and to education leadership. The year saw a number catalogue of ‘firsts’. ’s look forward to the University of Edinburgh's nursing is and how we all do and will benefit from of high profile events take place, from royal appointment in 1956 as the first director of the contribution to developments in the field of the expertise and research provided by all your and civic receptions, to conferences and first academic department of nursing in Europe nursing and healthcare across the globe. The special lectures. One of the high spots of were followed by the first PhD completion conference was designed to document the excellent staff and students.” the year was the visit on April 19th 2016, in 1959, the establishment of an integrated ‘leaps’ taken by individuals and groups during of the University’s Chancellor, her Royal undergraduate MA nursing degree in 1960 each of the six decades of the Department’s The University’s Chancellor, Highness Princess Anne. The Princess met and the first International School of Advanced history. The conference title echoed Dr her Royal Highness Princess Anne many students, alumni, current and former Nursing Studies funded by The World Health Rosemary Weir’s history of the Nursing Studies University staff to celebrate the impact Organisation WHO in 1962. During the Department: “A Leap in the Dark” published in Nursing Studies has had in transforming 1970s there were further firsts marked by the 1996 to commemorate the fortieth anniversary the nursing profession. appointment of Margaret Scott Wright to the (Weir 1996). Weir’s publication documented first Chair of Nursing Studies in Europe in the origins of nursing scholarship in the When Edinburgh nursing students joined the 1971. During the same year the first European University of Edinburgh and the influential University in the late 1950s and early 1960s University Nursing Research Unit was set figures that played key roles in the evolution they blazed a trail in a profession that until that up as was the first joint academic/clinical and development of the first academic point had been hospital-based rather than appointments funded by the Nuffield Trust. Nursing Department in the UK and Europe. requiring academic study. Visionaries such as Professor Crew, the Professor of Public These strong foundations provided the We wished to fill a gap in understanding the Health and Elsie Stephenson the first Director environment to prepare well-equipped personal and professional achievements of Nursing Studies envisaged a wider role for graduates for clinical service by promoting and the national and international impact nurses that went beyond hospitals and cure. nursing excellence, advanced knowledge and of the Department on nursing and Nursing Studies spearheaded the movement research. Many graduates have gone on to healthcare by updating its history from from a service to an academic education for occupy influential leadership positions in policy a student and staff perspective to nurses and established nursing firmly within and academe nationally and internationally. complement Weir’s 1996 study for academia where ‘the unthinkable became the the Diamond Jubilee Year. thinkable, then the norm’ as higher education The Diamond Jubilee celebrations culminated opened up for women more generally. Today in November 2016 with the Leaps in the Dark all nurses require a degree. Alumni Conference where a diverse group of

Rosemary Weir 1956 – 1965 1966 – 1975 1976 – 1985 1986 – 1995 1996 – 2005 2006 – 2016 A Leap in the Dark Nursing: a Research-Based Profession Awards & Celebrations Change & Development From Strength to Strength Innovation & Progress for the Future

1954 1962 FIRST 1967 1976 1981 1986 1993 1996 2007 2013 A proposal is made that a Nurse The first International School of Elsie Stephenson dies aged 51. Professor Scott Wright leaves to 25th Anniversary of the Department The undergraduate programme is Following the retiral of Helen Sinclair, Dr Kath Melia becomes the fourth Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL), Innovative Masters of Nursing in Tutor Course be located entirely Advanced Nursing Studies is The Elsie Stephenson Fund is set become Director of the School of of Nursing Studies. Dr Lisbeth renamed BSc (Nursing). 4th Elsie Dr Kath Melia becomes Head of Chair of Nursing Studies. Nursing is incorporated into the nursing Clinical Research established. within the University setting. launched supported by the WHO. up with the purpose of “increasing Nursing at Dalhousie University, Hockey is awarded the OBE in Stephenson Memorial Lecture: Department. Links are forged with Studies 40th Anniversary celebrated curriculum. Deborah Ritchie The 100th Nursing Studies PhD is Funding is sought from the It offers programmes to overseas opportunities for some of the best Nova Scotia. Professor Annie recognition of her contribution Trends in Transatlantic Nursing: the University of Navarre, Pamplona with guest lecture by Dr Anne Marie appointed Head of Nursing awarded to Juan Du for her thesis Rockefeller Foundation. students in nursing administration brains in Britain to develop their Altschul, becomes the second to nursing research. 2nd Elsie Recent and Prospective, Professor in Spain, facilitating postgraduate Rafferty, Director, Centre for Policy Studies. “The Unrecognised Role: hospital- 1955 or education. gifts to the full in Nursing and to Chair of Nursing Studies. Stephenson Memorial Lecture: Margaret Scott Wright, Calgary students to undertake the MSc in in Nursing Research. 2010 based nurses’ experiences of Mary Elizabeth Tennant, Assistant 1963 encourage the Nursing profession 1978 Past Aspirations – Present Hopes, University. Nursing and Health. 1997 Professor Pam Smith appointed health promotion”. Annie Altschul Director, International Health Foundations of Anatomy and to make appropriate use of all the Elsie Stephenson’s husband, Phyllis J Runciman, Queen 1987 1994 Dr Alison Tierney receives Head of Nursing Studies. Online Memorial Lecture: ‘The Changing Division, Rockefeller Foundation Physiology by Janet S Ross and tools and skills relevant to it”. William Gardner, bequests a fund Margaret College. Clinical Excellence in Nursing: The MSc in Cancer Nursing, partly a Personal Chair in Nursing 2002 undergraduate and postgraduate Face of Mental Health Nursing in visits the University and funding is Kathleen J Wilson (lecturer) is 1968 1973 to support activities to further the 1983 International Networking Congress funded by Macmillan Cancer Relief Research. Professor Alison Tierney awarded programmes developed for the the 21st Century, Jane Bunclark, provided for the establishment of first published; a major nursing Dr Margaret Scott Wright succeeds Inaugural Elsie Stephenson knowledge and practice of nursing. Dr Lisbeth Hockey retires; jointly hosted by the Department Fund, is established; Nora Jodrell the CBE for services to nursing Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN), Consultant Nurse, South & 1998 Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. a Nurse Training Unit. textbook now in its 12th edition. as Director of the Nursing Memorial Lecture: The Canadian 1979 Dr Penny Prophit, from the of Nursing Studies, the RCN and appointed as Director. 6th Elsie RCN International Nursing research and education. at the University of Malawi. The University creates a Faculty of University of Louvain, Belgium, Stephenson Memorial Lecture: 1956 FIRST Studies Unit. Edwina, Countess Scene, Professor Helen Carpenter, An innovative MSc in Health Sigma Theta Tau, the International Research Conference hosted by 2003 2011 2014 Elsie Stephenson is appointed Social Sciences incorporating the Mountbatten Trust set up to support University of Toronto. Education is established in becomes the second Director of the Honour Society of Nursing. Community Health Nursing in Crisis, Nursing Studies. The University undergoes major Professor Charlotte Clarke is Dr Sheila Rodgers appointed Department of Nursing Studies. undergraduate students to observe Nursing Research Unit. Professor Dr Lisbeth Hockey, former Director, Head of Nursing Studies. director to establish the new unit 1975 collaboration with the Health 1989 1999 restructuring and Nursing Studies appointed Head of School of The first edition of International nursing practices in different parts Altschul awarded the CBE for her Nursing Research Unit. Shion Gosrani wins the 2014 located in George Square with a Certificated courses in nurse Education Board for Scotland. Helen Sinclair becomes Head 7th Elsie Stephenson Memorial moves as a subject area to the Health in Social Science. Journal of Nursing Studies is of the world. commitment to nursing. 3rd Elsie Undergraduate Award in Nursing remit to develop nurse education teaching and administration are FIRST of Department. A lectureship in 1994 School of Health in Social Science. published with Elsie Stephenson 1980 Stephenson Memorial Lecture: A Lecture: Connections between 2012 & Midwifery Category. 11th Elsie and to establish a research base 1971 FIRST replaced by Masters degrees in Anatomy and Physiology is funded The Nursing Research Unit is Professor Kath Melia appointed The Elements of Nursing: a Model Time for Vision, Dame Catherine service and academe, Dr Linda Tonks Fawcett receives a Personal for the discipline. as honorary editor. Dr Margaret Scott Wright becomes Nursing Education and Nursing by Dr Kathleen Wilson; Dr Roger incorporated into the Department the first Head of the School; Stephenson Memorial Lecture: of Nursing based on a Model of Hall, Chairwoman, UKCC. Pollock, Nursing Director, Lothian Chair in Student Learning Avoiding Black Holes: Nursing and 1957 1965 the first Chair of Nursing Studies Administration. An exchange Living by Nancy Roper, Win Logan Watson is appointed. to embed research activity within Primary Care Trust. Tonks Fawcett is appointed Head (Nurse Education). 10th Elsie The Integrated Degree programme in Europe. The Scottish Home and programme with the University of 1984 Nursing Studies. Nursing Practice: of Nursing Studies. 9th Elsie the Care of Older People and their The Unit moves to Chalmers Street and Alison Tierney (lecturer), the first 1990 2001 Stephenson Memorial Lecture: is replaced by the BSc Social Health Department give financial Pennsylvania School of Nursing Dr Penny Prophit, becomes the third Hospital and Home – The Adult by Stephenson Memorial Lecture: carers living at home, Professor and is renamed The Nursing UK model of nursing is published. 5th Elsie Stephenson Memorial Undergraduate programme Elsie Stephenson’s Legacy: Science (Nursing). The Nursing support for the establishment of is developed. Chair of Nursing Studies; Dr Alison Margaret Alexander, Tonks Fawcett Standing on the Shoulders of Claire Goodman, University of Studies Unit. Lecture: Opportunities for the revised to increase community Nurse Leaders in Universities Studies Association is established. the first Nursing Research Unit in Tierney becomes the third Director (lecturer) and Phyllis Runciman is Giants, Dr Beverley Malone, Hertfordshire. 1959 Nursing Profession in the 1990s, emphasis and renamed Bachelor Today, Professor Fiona Ross, The a European university. Dr Lisbeth of the Nursing Research Unit. first published, now in its 4th edition. General Secretary, RCN. 2015 The Rockefeller research fellow, Christine Hancock, General of Nursing with Honours. Festschrift Leadership Foundation for Higher Hockey is appointed as its first Nursing Studies at Edinburgh Audrey John achieves the first Secretary, RCN. The undergraduate 1995 for Professor Annie Altschul in 2004 Education. Risk and Dementia director. The Unit carries out ranked top in the UK in The nursing PhD for her thesis “A study degree is offered as an Honours The 50th Nursing Studies PhD is association with the UK Centre Nicola Lester wins the Nursing Care: Approaches to Everyday research and has an educational Guardian’s university league table of the psychiatric nurse and his/her degree in recognition of its awarded to Maxine Mueller for her for Nursing History, University of Standard Award for Student Nurse Living, co-authored by Professor responsibility to teach nurses for nursing and midwifery for the role in the care of the mentally sick". academic content. thesis “Organising Participation: Manchester. 8th Elsie Stephenson of the Year. Charlotte Clarke awarded first prize research methods. tenth year in succession. 1991 an Ethnography of ‘Community’ in Memorial Lecture: Opinions, in the BMA Book Awards. 1960 FIRST A history of 2005 25th Anniversary of the Nursing Hospital”. Evidence and Aspirations in Nursing Studies at Edinburgh 2016 In a pioneering move, the first Nursing Studies hosts the 100th nursing registration programme Studies Association with a Nursing Practice, Professor Karen ranked top in the UK in The commemorative edition of Nurse Luker, University of Manchester. Dr Guardian’s university league RCN International Nursing integrated with a five-year Master Research Conference. of Arts commences. A two-year Nursing Studies Education Today. A special issue Rosemary Mander appointed Head table for nursing and midwifery. programme in Advanced Nursing of the International Journal of of School of Nursing Studies. Dr Rosemary Mander receives a Education with Registered Nurse Nursing Studies commemorates Personal Chair in Midwifery. Teacher status is established. 25 years since the death of Elsie Stephenson. 7 8

New Leaps PURPOSEFUL LEAPS PROCRASTINATING LEAPS PIONEERING LEAPS POSTIVE LEAPS in the Dark For many undertaking the integrated For some, studying Nursing at Edinburgh Some alumni felt the excitement of being “Professionally I didn’t fully appreciate For more recent alumni (who had studied degree course, or postgraduate qualifications was indeed a real leap in the dark, with some on a new and innovative programme, and how experimental the course was.” from the 80s onwards) it was very clear that During the conference, nursing alumni were in Nursing Studies, their decision had been saying they were unsure if they wanted to be recognised its importance throughout their studied 1978–83 they had made a positive decision to study invited to reflect on their experiences through an a purposeful one. Being a student and nurses or have a career in nursing and others subsequent careers: at Edinburgh: anonymous questionnaire. A set of questions combining this with studying to become a went into Nursing Studies whilst keeping their asked how their time at Edinburgh had shaped nurse solved a dilemma for many; satisfying options open: “I felt the excitement at being a “Nursing was in the process of “I was attracted by the reputation of “I was the only one out of six students their lives, both in terms of their careers, and personal wishes to do nursing whilst placating pioneer/guinea pig, the first of a group professionalising and developing its own the course and the Open Day.” as people. It also asked about the impact of parents who wanted them to go to University. who started and completed. Although of two with the eyes of the nursing research base and it was exciting to be studied 1991–95 studying at Edinburgh and on the development For some it was a challenge to get here: “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it was the fourth intake, it still felt very world on you, and inspirational part of that.” of nursing over the decades that followed. The nursing or social work, so the course new; it was difficult to develop good people lecturing.” studied 1983–85 “I knew I was extremely lucky to train project, called New Leaps in the Dark, was gave me an opportunity to have a relationships with the staff of the local funded by an Innovation Initiative grant awarded “My mother did not think nursing studied 1960–65 with such a great group of people grounding in both.” hospital who were still suspicious of by the alumni department of the University. was good enough for me.” “I chose nursing at Edinburgh based and learn from such knowledgeable studied 1979–84 student nurses doing a degree course.” Some of those thoughts are captured here for studied 1977–78 “After leaving, and in the years that on recommendations from a number lecturers… I realised the department was the first time in the alumni’s own words. studied 1963–68 followed, it seemed that anyone who of postgraduate students within the UK, breaking boundaries and influencing “I had to fight hard with careers “I did nursing studies to keep my options To read the report in full, visit: was anyone in nursing nationally had and the department had an excellent nursing nationally and internationally.” advisors to do a degree in nursing open and to increase my opportunities to “I can see it was a leap in the dark passed through the department either reputation for teaching and researching studied 1994–98 www.ed.ac.uk/health/newleaps travel and work abroad.” and not medicine.” for the department and the fulfilment as one of our tutors or as someone I nursing from a qualitative, social studied 1993–98 studied 1977–78 of the visionary nurse educators who had met on the tutor’s or admin courses, science point of view.” “I don’t feel the phrase ‘leap in the dark’ had gone on before.” or at the international school.” studied 1993–94 “I felt I was taking a leap in the dark, but describes my personal decision... “For me, it was the best of both worlds.” studied 1968–73 studied 1968–73 it has proved essential learning in my life it was a careful decision on my part… studied 1965–70 for which I am deeply grateful.” to do a nursing degree or PhD is no longer a leap in the dark but a very “I wanted to be a nurse, I wanted to have studied 1974–78 Personal & normal thing to do.” a degree, Edinburgh University was the studied 2009–13 professional obvious place for me.” “I had no idea what social sciences really included but I wanted the opportunity to leaps in the dark studied 1964–69 study outside my comfort zone.” In order to find out why our alumni had studied 1979–84 studied at Edinburgh, we asked alumni ‘Did you personally or professionally take a leap in the dark going to Nursing Studies?’ Responses could be broken down into four broad categories: Class of 1992 9 10

PASSIONATE PROFESSORS PROTECTIVE PEERS PRACTICE PLACEMENTS

For almost all of the alumni, the strongest Alumni also frequently mentioned the In the early years, practice placements were memories were associated with the camaraderie of the intake groups and the not always easy for those on the undergraduate department’s staff, both academic and forging of life-long friendships with fellow programme, and alumni reminisced about administrative. Variously described as students, as well as the opportunity they their experiences, both good and bad. But in thought-provoking, fascinating, empowering, had to meet students across the University spite of the many challenges they faced, most encouraging, stable, inspiring, funny, delightful and from all over the world in their elective were proud of their alma mater and felt well and ‘mother hens’! Their memories of their courses and social lives: equipped for their nursing careers: mentors were strong: “(We had) the wonderful opportunity “(We had) difficulties with the negative “A memory that stands out is the “How forward thinking/inspirational “She (Nursing lecturer) had vision to access a wide variety of modules attitudes of the other student nurses we sessions that brought anatomy, the lecturers were, (they had) the built-in and leadership. I was terrified initially across the University. I really valued the were on hospital placement with.” physiology, pharmacology, the care

belief in nursing and the potential role that I would not be able to answer her opportunity to study outside subjects as studied 1977–81 of the patient and psychological we had in it.” questions! My gradual transition from nurses share an interest in people and care together beautifully.” studied 1994–98 being frozen with fear in her tutorials– outside subjects only enhanced the depth “Very often the other student nurses were studied 1991–95 to fully appreciating how she taught me of human understanding.” jealous, not unreasonably, and life could “The lecturers were passionate about to think and justify my conclusions.” studied 1994–98 be uncomfortable. I think this was why, “I learnt the fundamentals that I use in helping us become highly skilled studied 1967–72 as a cohort, we have a strong bond.” practice today. I discovered like-minds in compassionate and competent “We were a tight-knit group which studied 1964–69 my thinking about nursing as a discipline practitioners.” “Having small class sizes, meaning that challenged the status quo in various distinct from, yet related to medicine, education was always participatory and ways…” “Putting on the gabardine coat for and read Ivan Illich, ‘Limits to Medicine’ challenging, and developed us in ways studied 1964–69; 1970–74; 1976–81 and 1998–2002 district nurse placement–I felt so proud and loved working in George Square that students on courses with large sizes to be out and about as a nurse–albeit Library; I will never forget the first IM are not–I think that is a very special a student nurse.” injection I gave or the nuggets of advice experience.” studied 1973–78 such as wash your hands if you do not Stand-out studied 1998–2002 know what to do, and the value of using memories a pain assessment tool.” studied 1986–92 To gain insight into alumni’s experience of academic nursing we asked ‘what memory(ies) stand(s) out for you about your time in the Nursing Studies Department?’ and again these formed distinct groups: Audrey John PhD & Kathleen Wilson BSc at Graduation with Elsie Stephenson 1959 11 12

PATIENT FOCUS CRITICAL THINKING PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS

The undergraduate students asserted A key outcome from studying at the University “I think that the course helped me The experience seemed to encourage that they were ‘constantly encouraged to of Edinburgh was the encouragement to read, develop an analytical approach to independent thinking and career choices that question’, and to think ‘habitually about think and to question everything. This included problems in the health services, and the could allow this philosophy to continue in the patient’ and to focus on ‘the patient as respondents from the undergraduate and working lives: other subjects which I studied gave useful an individual, part of the family, part of the postgraduate programmes who emphasised community’ were recurring memories. One this aspect of their development: perspectives and made it easier for me alumna gave an account of trips to Princes to work together with other professions “(the course had the impact for me “The course experience was the Street in a wheelchair (to experience what it during the whole of my working life.” making the) decision to work outside the making of me. Although I did “I do not take things at face value felt like to be disabled). studied 1969–74 hospital environment–more autonomy not nurse practically for long, I without checking out their validity. I and able to be more patient-centred, had an opportunity to become am constantly searching for better ways “(the course had a) huge impact–we not having to follow rules that were not a research nurse for a one year of doing things in all walks of life.” “The course gave me confidence… were taught that we were patient I worked freelance as a consultant evidence-based.” project and I loved it. After a studied 1964–69 advocates and I never forgot that. It working in an international studied 1979–84 break to have a family, I was gave me the courage to step into teaching development which I am still doing. lucky enough to join an academic “I became passionate about ‘doing things roles. We were taught by people who I would/could never have been able department and undertook a properly’, not cutting corners, keeping were passionate about nursing and that to do this had it not be for the MSc and subsequently to conduct care of the patient as a primary focus, made me passionate about nursing too Department of Nursing Studies. and collaborate in health services teaching students and it definitely and I have never lost that.” It enabled me to look outside projects; Nursing Studies gave brought critical thinking and challenging me the confidence to pursue studied 1978–83 the system.” practice to the forefront of the way I my potential.” studied 1964–69 practise nursing.” studied 1967–72 The Impact of studied 1994–98 Nursing Studies “It gave me a love for reading “It prepared me to assume an equal about issues I encountered about There was no doubt that studying and valid role in the multi-disciplinary which I knew little. It gave me nursing at Edinburgh had a huge impact team and made me comfortable with the confidence to take jobs which on our alumni, and the sense that they had participated in something that went beyond questioning, debating and discussing were often new and innovative, the usual scope of nursing education was practice.” developing new services.” strong. Three aspects were particularly studied 1991–95 studied 1968–73 mentioned; the strong patient-focus it instilled in them, how the course had encouraged them to think critically throughout their careers, and its significant influence on shaping their future careers. International Summer School 1966 13 14

PROFILE LEADERSHIP PREPARATION

“Nursing Studies raised the profile “I think that the Department continues “(The creation of degree nurses) was the “A lot of my set were community-based– “Nursing Studies created strong “The answer lies in the length, spread of nursing and inspired nurses to do to promote a standard of excellence in moment when people stopped saying as well as being leaders / educators– leadership and influenced generations and depth of where Edinburgh graduates research and promote excellent nursing education” and another reflected ‘only a nurse’.” (we all saw work / problems from a of nurses dedicated to question practice of Edinburgh practice–breadth of standards of care.” that “the development of the Edinburgh studied 1979–84 different aspect) the profession need us and positively influence care amid rapidly roles, globally placed, in government,

studied 1963–68 University degree course has promoted on the ground to spread this different developing healthcare systems.” leadership, education and practice, nurse education and research throughout way of thinking.” studied 1993–98 consultant–senior leaders!” “The course was a catalyst for the world,” and that “without it, I am studied 1970–75 studied 1978–83 and 1992–93 transformation of nurse education– sure nursing would not have progressed “Nursing Studies pioneered degree other universities doing similar things.” and be where it is today.” nursing, and the need for nurse leaders, “Studying in the Department helped studied 1994–98 both nationally and internationally, studied 1965–69 me work in the field I enjoy so much and highlighted the need for nurses to and become the person that I am today. “Nursing Studies has been a beacon and have a high level of knowledge and In the beginning it was hard work, leader in high quality nursing/education skills in addition to compassionate but in the end, it has opened up a world and has inspired many.” and caring attitudes.” of possibilities. Since, I have taught undated studied 1991–95 international healthcare policy, expanded my networks and was an active member establishing the European Association for The Impact of the History of Nursing” Nursing Studies studied 1995–2001 nationally / internationally Perhaps not surprisingly, the early alumni felt immensely proud to have been part of the Finally we asked alumni what impact they earliest undergraduate course. thought Nursing Studies has had on nurses and nursing nationally or internationally. Although hard to quantify across the decades, “It led the way, set the standard; (and the responses included adjectives such as gave) a life-long feeling of belonging to a ‘positive’, ‘huge’, ‘major’, ‘massive’, and special community of nurses.” ‘incredible’. Its effect was felt in two main studied 1964–69 ways–it raised the profile of nursing in general, and produced nurses who were questioning, patient focused with intellectual rigour, in short it produced many future leaders of the profession: Class of 2007–11 15 16

Conclusion

Over the decades, the perception of undergraduate education alumni however seem to have pervaded all areas of practice for nursing seems to have changed, initially being seen as and the confidence-building aspect of the courses offered experimental, it is now seen as unexceptional. Indeed, over seems to have been a key element in equipping the alumni with time, the reputation of Nursing Studies has grown and there is career choices, and preparing them for particular nursing roles a sense from alumni feedback that nursing has earned its place in all parts of the profession. as central to modern healthcare and now commands more respect from other professions. Many graduates have gone on to raise the profile of the nursing profession, and influence nursing practice, research and From the beginning, Edinburgh graduates stated that they education throughout their working lives. Nurse leaders have ‘felt and thought differently from work colleagues’. In the early emerged having been inspired and stimulated by their studies decades this was understandable as the education was quite within Edinburgh, and the Department specifically. They in turn, different from the apprenticeship model of traditional nurse according to these respondents, have gone on to influence training. But feedback from later graduates confirms that the nursing on the national and international stage. Nursing Studies alumni still feel different. This may be because studying nursing at a prestigious and established university The memories captured in this project are a living testimony like Edinburgh, with its sixty year history of academic nursing, of the enduring legacy of nursing education and scholarship is able to add something special to nursing degree courses. provided by Nursing Studies at the University of Edinburgh. The feeling of difference could be due to the course content, Insights have been provided into the personal and professional or the Department’s ability to continue to attract passionate, ‘leaps’ taken by Nursing Studies alumni, and the impact committed and inspiring lecturers and tutors. nationally and internationally that academic nursing has made over the six decades of the duration of the Department of Smaller class sizes relative to other universities (which remain Nursing Studies. a feature of the Nursing Studies Department today) combined with the lecturer mentoring and tutor support during clinical As Rosemary Weir pointed out in 1996 in her original ‘A Leap placements (despite some hostile receptions from traditionally in the Dark’, The University of Edinburgh had certainly taken a trained nurses in the early days), seem to have equipped leap into the unknown by opening its doors to Nurse Education Graduates of Nursing Studies at alumni with a patient focus, resilience, determination and critical and then Undergraduate Nursing in the 1950s. This was a The University of Edinburgh have shaped thinking skills which have undoubtedly served them well, and brave move and one that has proved to have been both ahead endured, career-long. of its time and very worthwhile. Graduates of Nursing Studies healthcare and nursing over the past at The University of Edinburgh have shaped healthcare and 60 years and will continue to do so into the It is clear that the course had influenced some alumni to work nursing over the past 60 years and will continue to do so into Nursing Studies in the community and primary care settings. Nursing Studies the next phase of this unfolding story. staff & students 2016 next phase of this unfolding story.