The Open University

OU student features in Social Mobility State of the Nation Report

1 May 2019

The Social Mobility Commission has released its sixth annual ‘State of the Nation’ report, which assesses the progress that the UK has made towards improving social mobility. Open University graduate, Helen, featured in the report gives an example of how a ‘second chance’ at learning can impact life chances. It also highlights the importance of […]

Demelza Dachtler receiving Commanding Officers Commendation with her mother, Julie

Following in her mother’s footsteps

29 March 2019

As a child Demelza Dachtler grew up watching her mother, Julie, study for a Masters with The Open University. Today, she’s an OU graduate herself, is on the verge of completing her own OU Masters, and is about to become a mother for the first time. We spoke to Demelza last year, and now, in the […]

Future of nursing – OU nursing students graduate

2 January 2019

For the past four years, The Open University has had a strong relationship with Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Kings Lynn. With the support of Health Education England (HEE), three hardworking Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) were given the opportunity to study for a Degree in Nursing with The OU. Now fully qualified nurses, they talk about their […]

Dr Gemma Ryan is passionate about teaching and nursing – so she does both

21 May 2018

Dr Gemma Ryan, is an Open University (OU) lecturer and registered adult nurse. Her passion for both means she takes the unusual step of juggling the two roles together – making her quite a rare entity. Here she explains how and why she combines the two and the benefits it brings to her students. What’s […]

Girl with learning disability hugging child

Myths about learning disability – debunked!

16 May 2018

For most of her clinical career, Sheila Counihan, Lecturer in Nursing in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, has cared for and supported people with learning disabilities. Sheila is qualified in Adult and Mental Health nursing with a Masters degree in Learning Disability Mental Health. She’s currently leading on the development of a […]

OU study ‘the catalyst for everything I’ve achieved in raising awareness of dementia’

15 May 2018

OU graduate Gina Awad was described as average by her school teachers, something which has haunted her over the years. But her complete dedication to raising awareness of dementia within her home community of Exeter has seen her receive a string of commendations for ‘outstanding work’. She’s not so average now… Gina created the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance […]

Seven things to remember when supporting a dying person

15 May 2018

Dr Erica Borgstrom is a medical anthropologist whose teaching and research focuses on death and dying, with a particular emphasis on end of life care. She has worked on former module K260 (Death and Dying) and will be working on the forthcoming K220 module (Death, Dying and Bereavement) in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language […]

Photo of nurse caring for elderly lady in hospital bed

New OU report reveals financial cost of the nursing shortage to the NHS

14 May 2018

NHS trusts in England were forced to spend £1.46 billion last year on temporary staffing to plug gaps in nursing rotas, according to our new report. Our Tackling the Nursing Shortage report also reveals that we need new ways to tackle it, such as alternative ways for people to study to become a registered nurse. This […]

Spotlight on…learning disability nursing

14 May 2018

Sheila Counihan has worked in nursing practice and education for over 40 years, and is qualified in Adult and Mental Health nursing with a Masters degree in Learning Disability Mental Health. She is currently leading on the development of a new distance learning pre-registration learning disability nursing programme for the OU which we hope to […]

OU study helps military flight nurse Demelza climb the ranks

11 May 2018

Demelza Dachtler began her RAF nursing career with the Princess Mary Royal Air Force Nursing Service when she was 21. Now 31 and a qualified military flight nurse, Demelza teaches clinical practice skills to Royal Navy, Royal Marine, Army and Royal Air Force trainee medics. “When I started studying, you didn’t need a degree to […]

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