12 July 2005

Distance learning graduates

Over forty registered nurses studying for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees will graduate this afternoon from the University of Dundee, having completed their nursing and palliative care studies with the Distance Learning Centre (DLC).

Registered nurses from over seventeen different countries have pursued both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing degrees with the DLC. The Centre's programmes attract a large number of students from the USA but because of work and family commitments only a small percentage of these graduands can make the journey to attend the graduation ceremony each year.

Three students who have made their way from the USA to attend their graduation ceremony this afternoon are Barbara Brunt from Ohio, along with Ann McNeill and Lynn Coates-Leisen from California. Barbara, whose dissertation investigated 'The Identification of Performance Criteria for Staff Development Competencies', will graduate with a postgraduate Master of Nursing degree. Ann and Lynn will graduate with Bachelor of Nursing degrees having studied subjects as diverse as wound and pain management and bereavement management and research methods.

The popularity of the DLC programmes is a result of a unique combination including, flexibility of distance learning, the DLC professional educational model, and the international accreditation of the DLC programmes from the USA’s National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Dr Liz Rogerson, Head of the DLC and Head of Education and Development of the International Virtual Nursing School said, "We are delighted Barbara, Ann and Lynn have made the long journey from the United States to attend their graduation ceremonies and hope they have a great day."

For further information please contact press office on 01382 344021

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk