Graduate names child after inspiring Cumbrian nursing academic

A nurse for more than four decades, there is no doubt that over her long career Jeanne Landon-Campbell has touched the lives of thousands of patients, healthcare professionals, and student nurses. 

Highlights include her seeing the first cohort of University of Cumbria students graduate this week from an accelerated master’s level programme that she designed.  

Eight students have completed the university’s two-year MSc (Pre-Registration) Adult and Mental Health Nursing programme. 

One says that Jeanne has had such an impact on his experience and studies that he’s named his young daughter after her. Valentine Eze now hopes his youngest daughter Munachim Zoe Jeanne will aspire to become a nurse as she grows up, and follow in the footsteps of her namesake.  

The accelerated MSc programme allows eligible undergraduates in any subject, who have 500 hours of care experience, to train as a nurse in two years rather than the usual three-year period. 

Jeanne said: “Designing this programme is something that I had wanted to do for years and I’m delighted to see this first cohort graduate. They’ve come from all over to study in Cumbria, all from very different backgrounds and parts of the world – for example, one moved her family up for London for the duration of the course. They are now all in nursing roles, all very varied indeed.” 

Graduate Valentine Eze works as a scrub nurse for the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust in Carlisle. 

Joined at graduation by his family including his mother Juliana visiting from Nigerian, Valentine said: “I was initially due to study an MA in Social Work with the University of Cumbria, however after a few conversations with a colleague at the hospital I was encouraged to try the MSc Nursing Pre-registration and I was interviewed for the course. 

“Jeanne not only started as our programme lead and lecturer, she was also my personal tutor. Now as a scrub nurse, I owe the journey so far to Jeanne's amazing mentorship and support.  

“Even after an unplanned family event, Jeanne was always there to provide mental and emotional support. I had to name my daughter after Jeanne because I want my daughter to grow up and be as an amazing nurse like Jeanne.” 

Louise Slessor, 28, is a fellow MSc graduate. 

From Carlisle, Louise moved to the Isle of Man before relocating back to her home city to complete her studies. 

It was working part-time as a health care assistant whilst studying for her undergraduate Working with Children and Families degree that she first realised that she wanted to care for adults. 

She lost her grandfather during her last year of that degree. 

Louise said: “Seeing the community nurses and hospice nurses take care of him, but also take care of my family made me want to be able to do this to other families, for them to experience the kindness and caring experience like we did. 

“I’ve made friends with all on my course and it is nice to work with them as fellow nurses. If any of us need help on any nursing, then we’re all still here for each other and give advice.” 

Louise is now working as a nurse assisting those who recovering from surgery. Her career aim is to work as a community nurse before embarking upon further study to qualify as a district nurse. She intends to complete a prescribing course too. 

Employer partnerships 

As part of its skills-building partnerships with employers, the University of Cumbria works with the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust to develop and plan professional placements for students and those seeking care experience to become eligible to enrol on the master’s degree. 

Chloe McKeating, 26, from Workington, also graduated and is now a registered mental health community nurse working within her local crisis resolution and home treatment team. 

Chloe said: “I love my job and work with an amazing team. I’m exposed to every adult with a range of both functional and organic mental health diagnosis and symptomology. My role is to safely manage risk in the community preventing hospital admission. No two days are the same and the service is consistency evolving. 

“It was helpful to have placements that were within the local trust, particularly when I moved from student to nurse. It meant I was more familiar with the teams and processes.” 

Jeanne said: “It is part of the portfolio of education programmes for aspiring nurses delivered by our team in the Institute of Health along with courses for those who want higher-level skills to work in midwifery and in allied health professions.” 

Jeanne’s career stretches 44 years and includes 12 years working as a children’s nurse at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. She later moved to the UK, entering academia initially by working in the further education sector which included delivering courses at Carlisle College before moving into tertiary education and to St Martin’s College, a legacy institution of today’s University of Cumbria. 

The accelerated MSc Nursing programme at the University of Cumbria continues under the leadership of Steve McCarthy-Grunwald. 

ENDS