18th May 1998

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The RCN Institute in Northern Ireland is to form a partnership with the University of Ulster for the delivery of its three degree programmes - the BSc Hons in Health Studies, BSc Hons in Health and Social Services Management, and BSc Hons in Health Studies incorporating the RCN Nurse Practitioner Diploma.

The RCN Institute provides a range of higher education and continuing professional development opportunities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This new partnership will concentrate initially on the transfer and delivery of the three degree programmes currently offered in the province.

It is anticipated that the partnership will provide both parties with a range of new opportunities to develop 'leading edge' programmes, collaborative research, and practice development initiatives both nationally and internationally.

RCN Northern Ireland Board Secretary Frances Donaghy explained that "This development will offer excellent opportunities for nurses in Northern Ireland to access new education, research and practice development opportunities from two very wide-ranging educational institutions."

University of Ulster's Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerry McKenna commented:

"The University welcomes the opportunity to enter into a formal partnership with the RCN. The opportunity now exists to develop a creative alliance between the two institutions to enhance the scope and range of education, research and practice development initiatives for nurses, midwives and health visitors in Northern Ireland. Our primary aim will be to build on the excellent work pioneered by the RCN, and to promote continuity and excellence in all aspects of course delivery and research."

RCN Institute Director, Professor Alison Kitson said: "Nurse education has undergone major changes in Northern Ireland over the past few years. The positive outcome of all this change is a new vision for nurse education towards the next millennium - changes which are set to transform nursing as a profession and ultimately enhance the provision of nursing care in Northern Ireland."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk