“Why did you choose to study at Anglia Ruskin University?
From my initial inquiry, the information provided and subsequent interview, everything was well organised and all the staff were very approachable and helpful. A clear direction of study is particularly important with a part time postgraduate course, as often because of work commitments and travelling a great distance to University, there is limited support mechanisms from fellow students.

What initially attracted you to your course?
I had been looking for several years to find a course that would encompass the different perspectives, from both my job as a lecturer in children's nursing and a Paediatric Oncology Nurse Specialist. I felt this Course offered opportunities to further develop knowledge and extend and advance my practice in both spheres.

Which aspects of your course do you enjoy most and why?
The opportunity to debate both with lecturers and fellow students, such a diverse range of health and social care subjects, within an interprofessional arena. Often due to the demands of work you can become very insular, these discussions certainly encouraged and helped me to develop skills out of my comfort zone, and as a result I have increased the depth and breadth of my knowledge.

Has the course met/exceeded your expectations? If so, how?
The course has broadened my horizons through the subjects studied and the class debates, surrounding the government initiatives for strengthening and improving the provision of current health and social care. It has given me a totally different perspective about interprofessional team working and this has led me, along with my work colleagues, to review practice and provide the necessary momentum to proactively incorporate new working strategies.

Why would you recommend your course to others?
The opportunity to meet and debate with lecturers and fellow students from diverse health and social backgrounds and in my case from different counties.

Please tell us about any special features that you have benefited from on your course.
The use of the patchwork text, which formed the summative assessment in the first module, Collaborative Practice for Integrated Care. This consisted of five pieces of work, which eventually combined to form the assignment. This included sharing of the initial drafts of our writing with fellow students, which although at first was a daunting prospect, provided a wealth of collaborative support.

Are you currently employed, if so what is your job title?
Lecturer in Children's Nursing - University Campus Suffolk College
Paediatric Oncology Nurse Specialist- The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust

How do you feel that your studies at Anglia Ruskin will help you in your current job?
Supported by newly acquired leadership skills and particularly the work from my dissertation, this has helped to provide me with the evidence and momentum to review current practice.

What are your ambitions/plans for the future, and how do you feel that your course will help you to achieve these?
To continue to take an active involvement with the increasingly diverse pre and post registration nursing courses as well as the Foundation degree programmes. As a Paediatric Oncology Nurse Specialist to build upon the service offered to children and young people with cancer and their families. The course has allowed me the space to reflect and develop professional knowledge, to inform and extend my practice of interprofessional team working.

How do you rate the support offered by both our teaching and support staff?
Excellent - the course was very well organised and the standard of teaching for the majority of the lectures was very high.

How do you rate our facilities and resources on offer at our campuses?
I have used the library resources at both Chelmsford and Cambridge and found them very useful and the staff informative and helpful. To be able to access such a wide range of ejournals is particularly important, when focussing upon such a specialist area as childhood cancer.

How do you find fitting you studies around your outside commitments including work, family etc?
One of the great benefits of the course was attending for a whole day instead of a half a day a week. I could forget about other commitments and be a student for a whole day.

How would you sum up your experience of studying at Anglia Ruskin course so far?
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience of being a postgraduate student at Anglia Ruskin. The support from the MSc Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care Course Team was excellent. As students, our professional backgrounds and life experiences were very diverse, but the course seemed to encapsulate all these aspects. There was obviously great relief on completing the course but I will certainly miss the learning experience.

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