Newly qualified Nurse releases new set of healthcare flashcards thanks to Charity funding
Newly qualified intensive care nurse Beth Dennis has recently released the second wave of her educational flashcards for student nurses to support them in their nursing journey.
The innovative project earned Beth two coveted Student Nursing Times awards, including “most inspirational student nurse” back in April 2024, among other projects the dedicated nurse has championed.
Beth has been involved with our student volunteer group, YPAG, since the age of 16 whilst her brother was an inpatient in our Children’s Hospital (BCH).
Talking about her time as a student nurse, Beth said: “Since a young age, I has always wanted to become a nurse but on my first placement I found it all very overwhelming because I have dyslexia – as a student there is a lot of information to remember.
“I have even seen nurses drop out of their placements in the first week because of how stressful it can be with the transfer from university to working on a ward. I felt there wasn’t a huge deal of support, and I wanted to change that.
Beth worked with our education team as well as many individuals and clinicians across the Trust to contribute to creating the cards. She also reached out to young people and patients.
Beth explained: “When I first started nursing, I was shocked by how there wasn’t that much content in the curriculum that champions the voice of young people. I’ve always been so passionate about young voices being heard.”
“I learnt so much from talking to parents and carers, young people and people with learning disabilities. I think it's really important to have their voices be central to the creation of these cards.”
The first batch of flashcards were a hit – Beth received fantastic feedback and local universities reached out to her to enquire about her cards. Beth got to work on creating more new and improved information cards.
Beth said: “I created a survey to see what content student nurses wanted to see for the next set of flashcards. They asked for a general set of cards not just for paediatrics, so this new set covers all fields of nursing: adult, mental health and paediatrics.”
Beth received a charity grant of £4500 from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity to create the flashcards, meaning that Beth could ensure the cards are free for all student nurses.
She also hopes to roll these cards out to other Trusts across the country.
Beth explained: “When I graduated, I was ready to move away from being a student, but I never expected it to be this hard.
“I am motivated and have got quite high expectations of myself because I want to keep going, be better and keep learning.
“The main ambition is that I would love it if every student nurse that wants a pack of these cards can get them for free as other education cards can be very expensive and these ones have lots of information in that I found really useful when I was a student nurse.
Although her cards project is nearly complete, Beth is still keeping busy as she focuses on her new job as an intensive care nurse as well as future projects.
Beth said: “Excitingly I am going to be a judge soon for the next Student Nursing Times awards. I am also currently looking into Transitional care in the NHS for mental health from child to adult services as part of my next research project. I’m always looking to continue learning and for the next challenge.”
The Practice Education team will specifically deliver cards to all wards across the Trust. If you would like to request a set of cards as a student nurse, please contact bwc.practiceeducation@nhs.net.