‘Their commitment and sense of community are truly inspiring’ — Scotland’s chief nursing officer praises UHI students and staff

Nursing students and staff in Inverness welcomed a special guest last week, as Scotland’s Interim Chief Nursing Officer, Anne Armstrong visited The visit focused around the challenges and opportunities of delivering nursing education in remote and rural areas, with a series of interactive meetings — both in-person and remotely connecting with other UHI campuses in the region — and an informal lunch with local nursing staff during the day. During her visit, Ms Armstrong engaged with senior academic staff including Professor Nicola Carey, Head of the Centre, and Dr Heather Bain, Associate Head, and spoke with students from across all years of the BSc Nursing programme. Dr Heather Bain, associate head of the Centre for Rural Health Sciences, said: “We were delighted to welcome Anne to UHI and showcase the work we are doing to support nursing education in remote and rural areas.

“Her visit is a real boost to staff and students alike, highlighting the vital importance of rural healthcare and our commitment to excellence in educating the next generation of nurses.” Anne Armstrong, Chief Nursing Officer, said: "It was a privilege to visit UHI and see first-hand the dedication of staff and students working to deliver high-quality nursing education in Scotland’s rural communities. Their commitment, innovation and strong sense of community are truly inspiring.



" During the visit, Anne also met with representatives from the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association to discuss the vital role of student voices in shaping the future of nursing education..