New digital training for Salford student nurses

The training focused on digital identity, cybersecurity, digital wellbeing and digital professionalism. It forms part of a ‘digital skills passport’ initiative led by Lecturer in Digital Health and Society Dr Cristina Vasilica and Associate Dean Academic (Student Experience) Neil Withnell, which is embedded across the three years of study at Salford. 

The digital skills passport aims to equip nursing students with the skills required for success in the digital economy. It responds to current societal and political drivers that recommend appropriate level of digital literacy training for students.

Cristina and digital champions colleagues Dilla Davis and Kyle Charnley, developed the first set of training and will continue to provide digital literacy skills training over the three years of nursing studies. 

Cristina explained: “The digital skills passport aims to equip nurses with the digital skills required as health professionals. The current situation with the coronavirus pandemic has brought digital literacy even more to the forefront, as we all adapt to a new normal.

“At the University of Salford we are committed to ensuring that our nursing students graduate with the skills required to be successful within their chosen career. This means being able to deal with modern, dynamic, integrated health and social care environments.”

As part of the training, students created a poster with their top tips on best practice for maintaining digital professionalism. The winner, Esther Price, said: “Over the last couple of months health services have had to adapt very quickly in order to safely meet people's needs. Many areas are now using technology in ways they never have before. I can only imagine how the role of technology within healthcare will have evolved by the time I graduate in two years’ time. I'm really pleased I was able to develop these skills.”

Professor Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society, said: 'The digital sector is one of the fastest-growing areas in the UK, and within this context, NHS Digital Transformation remains an important goal of national policy. 

“Our vision is to form digitally capable graduates, equipped with the knowledge and skills required for digital health in order to promote, empower and facilitate health and wellbeing with individuals, families and communities, and the enhancement of professional practice. The digital skills passport has attracted the attention of other digital initiatives, and we are contributing to a GM digital skills passport.”