Next Generation of Health Care Professionals Progress from SERC

There can be no doubt about how much we have depended on people working in  health care settings over the past few months and as we get set for a ‘new normal’ South Eastern Regional College highlights the success of higher level students  progressing to support the future of the sector. 

Frank Carter, Curriculum Manager Health and Care at SERC said, “From a total of 40 students on our HNC in Healthcare Practice course, offered in our Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses, we have had 27 students secure university places for nursing and midwifery - most at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.  These are extremely competitive degree programmes which have in excess of 1,500 applicants each year. 

“In addition, 13 of 14 students on the HNC in Social and Community Work, offered at our Newtownards Campus, have secured places on social work degrees.    

“A further nine students, from both courses, have secured university places for a range of social science degrees including psychology. 

He added, “We are immensely proud of the achievements of our students.    Their success and progression are credit to themselves and testament to the high-quality teaching, practical experience, and placement opportunities they enjoyed at SERC.   We wish them continued success as they progress to further studies and careers supporting our national health service.” 

Kathryn McBurney (19), from Belfast, a past pupil of Bloomfield Collegiate School, who is completing the HNC Healthcare Practice at the Newtownards Campus is going to Queen’s University Belfast to study Midwifery.   She said, “I really enjoyed the course at SERC.   I learnt so much more than I expected, and it as given me life experiences which I would not have had if I had not come to SERC.   I have also made friends for life. 

She added, “I am looking forward to successfully completing my degree in Midwifery and to going into practice and perhaps some further study.”   

Priscilla Young (19) from Newtownards, is also completing the HNC Healthcare Practice and has offers for both Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University for Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Learning Disability Nursing.  Priscilla said, “I came to SERC following my GCSE’s at Regent House Grammar School.  I did not think I would ever get an offer for university but at SERC my tutors encouraged to never give up and helped me see what I could achieve when I put my mind to it, so I am thrilled with the offers I have for further study.  

She added, “The tutors all take their time to get to know you as an individual, and if there are any problems,  they are willing to help and give any support you may need to progress.  You get to know your own learning style and what works best for you, along with coping skills and how to deal with pressure which will be invaluable for my future studies.   

She added, “I really enjoyed my time at SERC where I have made life-long friends. I feel much more confident and able to communicate effectively which has helped me get exactly where I want to be.” 

Applications are open for Higher Level courses, including degree, HND, HNC, Foundation Degree and Higher-Level Apprentice programmes commencing September 2020. For more information visit www.serc.ac.uk to find out how you could be #BetterOffAtSERC #OnlineAndOpenForBusiness Find us on Facebook, search SERC. 

Caption: Left- Kathryn McBurney, 19, a student on the HNC Healthcare Practice at SERC’s Newtownards Campus who is heading to Queen’s University Belfast to study Midwifery. Right- Priscilla Young, 19, from Newtownards, a student on the HNC Healthcare Practice at SERC’s Newtownards Campus who has offers from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University to study Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Learning Disability Nursing.