Admission Buddies
19 January 2011
The School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies is embarking on a new drive to increase applications and admissions from applicants from disadvantaged groups and local black and minority ethnic communities.
The School is setting up an Admission Buddy Scheme, with aim that each year’s intake closely mirrors the ethnic mix of the local population. The scheme will involve local community leaders and schools in providing information to young black and minority ethnic pupils and others from disadvantaged groups about careers in nursing and midwifery.
There will be workshops on entry qualifications, writing applications and interviews. There will also be coaching and mentorship to assist candidates for selection. Potential applicants will be linked with existing students, from similar backgrounds if possible, to act as buddies throughout the application process and during their course. The School will be working particularly closely with the Welsh Assembly Government funded Communities First areas and also has strong support from the Muslim Council.
The scheme also aims to ensure successful applicants are retained as Cardiff students.
Dean of the School, Professor Sheila Hunt ran a similar scheme at Birmingham and said: "I know from experience that this works. There are very few nursing and midwifery role models in the BME community in Cardiff at present. We need better understanding that this is a degree leading to a superb professional career. I believe this scheme will make a real difference, not just to the School, but to the NHS in Wales in the longer term."