Our Class of '25 nurses can wear their Winchester badges with pride...

More than 100 new nurses and nursing associates have received their much-prized training badges having completed their courses at the University of Winchester. 

The tradition of nurse training badges began in 1860 at St Thomas' Hospital, the first formal nursing school in England, established by Florence Nightingale.  More than 150 years later nurses still wear their training institution badge as a symbol of pride in their profession. 

Winchester’s class of 2025 supported by their loved ones attended a special ceremony held at the West Downs Auditorium where they received their badges from special guests Sue Hill, Honorary Fellow and Radhika Vijayakrishnan: Deputy Divisional Chief Nurse, Medical Division Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust.  

Nursing Associates of tutor group Curie with tutor Claire Hollywell and programme leader Penny Marsh

Recipients came from the BN(Hons), TRNDAs and RNDAs in Adult, Learning Disability, Child and Mental health nursing fields as well as Nursing Associates, new and existing healthcare staff who have completed a two-year Foundation Degree with the University. 

The students and their guests were welcomed by Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Elizabeth Davies Ward, a trained nurse herself.  

Congratulating the 2025 cohort, the Dean said: “You are now on the beginning of a journey into one of the most noble and impactful professions in society. The badge is more than a symbol of that commitment - it is a reminder of the trust people place in you as nurses. It is a promise to continue to care for people with heart, compassion and unwavering dedication.” 

Listen to some of the new nurses talk about their experiences at Winchester and their hopes for the future and hear staff talk about the importance of the badge ceremony HERE

Children's Nurses of Jolly and Fenwick tutor groups with tutor Molly Watts, lecturer Sandhya Santh and Programme Lead for Nursing Lois Doel 

Guest speaker Sue Hill, who holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University, told her audience that nursing offered a wide range of opportunities and that she’s had more than 25 different roles during her long career. 

“I’ve had an incredible range of you can move upwards or sideways. If the job doesn’t work for you, explore and find another one,” said Sue. 

“Don’t limit yourself to one thing - find the job and the people that suit you.” 

She ended by saying the qualities needed by those working is health and social care were best summed up by Charles Dickens: “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." 

Seacole tutor group with senior lecturer Trudi Archer

Barker-Pink tutor group Mental Health and Adult Nurses with lecturers Faye Powell and Chris Gale 

Mental health and learning Disability Nurses from Gates and Moulster tutor groups with lecturers Marta Paglioni and David Clark

Photos by Dominic Parkes Photography

 

Back to media centre