This year’s James Paget Nursing Scholarship has been awarded to 18-year-old Shanice Baker, from Lowestoft.
Shanice is the fourth student to have received a nursing scholarship since the programme was created in January 2018 and she was presented with a certificate and badge yesterday, Wednesday 9 September, to mark her success following the selection process. She was picked from dozens of candidates after a successful application and impressing at the interview stage.
After scoring high grades in her three A levels, following her studies at Lowestoft Sixth Form College, Shanice will now begin her BSc Adult Nursing training at the University of East Anglia later this month.
She says; “I can’t wait to get started. I did health and social care studies in high school, and several members of my family have had health careers, so I think it is in my blood. While I did slightly different A levels – including English Language and Law - I’ve always had a passion for health and realised this is what I want to do. I’m really pleased to have been awarded the scholarship.”
Coralie Roll, Professional Lead for pre-registration nursing at the University of East Anglia, said; “We’ve host several James Paget scholarship students now and it’s a fantastic initiative that brings something extra and provides support for students.
“Shanice should be really proud of being the student selected for this. In the current climate nursing has never been more important and we’re delighted that she will be among the students joining us, as the UEA meets its target for nursing student recruitment this year.”
Paul Morris, Director of Nursing at the James Paget University Hospital, presented the certificate and badge to Shanice, saying; “This year there was, once again, a lot of competition for the scholarship. Although I’m still relatively new here, I’m pleased that the James Paget offers this opportunity as one of the initiatives to support new nurses.
“I can only advocate for nursing – there are new challenges every day and patient care at the core of everything we do. I would urge you to take every opportunity you can and to aspire to reach the heights you choose.”
Head of Education and Practice Development Sharon Crowle said; “The scholarship is aimed at people from the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area who have always harboured an ambition to become a nurse or midwife at their local hospital but may have been put off because of the tuition fees.
“Although some national funding is now available for those who want to train to become a nurse, the scholarship provides additional financial support that will hopefully help make a dream become a reality. The scholarship is just one of the initiatives we have started to boost recruitment into health care, alongside our Health Academy and offering additional training to our staff to help develop their careers.”
The scholarship provides £3,000 per year over three years of studying at degree level, paid in monthly instalments.