30 staff from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), graduated from the University of Essex on 19 July 2017.
Amongst the graduates, three staff completed their Foundation Degrees in Mental Health Science with distinctions, eight completed with merits and the rest passed with good grades.
There were Associate Practitioners, Healthcare Assistants and previously unregistered nurses who completed their degrees while working for the Trust. Some of the courses were assessed through Work Based Learning.
The newly qualified staff have taken up posts as mental health nurses in the community and also on the wards.
This training programme was started by the Trust to help unregistered clinical staff gain recognised qualifications in mental health.
Staff who successfully complete the Foundation Degrees have options of applying for more advanced or specialist posts or seconded Nurse Training.
Natalie Hammond, Executive Nurse at EPUT said: “Well done to all staff who graduated this year. I am really proud of your achievements. For many years now, we have been investing in the professional development of our staff and this is highly beneficial to our patients. A lot of the staff who completed degrees and other training, have done so while doing full time jobs here at the Trust – so once again, well done to you all.”