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University of Gloucestershire lecturer awarded top nursing scholarship

The University of Gloucestershire’s Academic Subject Lead in Nursing Dr Joy Darch has been awarded a prestigious research scholarship from the Florence Nightingale Foundation.

Joy was awarded the scholarship for Advancing the Art and Science of Nursing at the Foundation’s certificate ceremony at the Governors’ Hall at St Thomas Hospital in London last week, where other scholars, sponsors and trustees were present to congratulate her on her work.

Research scholarships offer nurses the opportunity to engage in research and build their breadth of knowledge – they provide up to £5,000 for a scholar to undertake a course in research methods, research modules or a dissertation as part of an academic course of study. They must involve clinically focused research, and be able to demonstrate an impact on patient care and be academically supervised or supported.

Dr Joy Darch, Academic Subject Lead, University of Gloucestershire, said: “I’m delighted to have received my scholarship certificate, the culmination of four years hard work. The research I’ve undertaken makes recommendations for nurse education, healthcare organisations and policy. I am very grateful for the professional support of the Foundation which has been quite remarkable.”

Joy has recently been instrumental in the development of the University’s new nursing degree. The new three-year BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult), led by the University in partnership with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust and the NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, aims to address nursing shortages locally by offering a three-year undergraduate degree and supports student nurses to care for themselves whilst caring for others.

Professor Elizabeth Robb OBE, Chief Executive of the Florence Nightingale Foundation said: “The Foundation is always proud of research scholars – Joy undertook a particularly impactful Professional Doctorate looking at how student nurses interpret being role models in healthy lifestyles, which she presented both at our conference and at our Biennial Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to Joy on this achievement.”​