QUB School of Nursing and Midwifery

Queen’s has climbed 25 places in the QS World University Rankings 2027, now ranked 174th globally (top 175 worldwide) and 26th in the UK – its highest ever percentile position (top 11.6%)

The university also saw a major boost in employer reputation, rising 83 places, reflecting the strong employability of its graduates.

This recognition highlights Queen’s continued excellence in education, research, and student outcomes, with 93% of graduates in work or further study within 15 months.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/News/Allnews/2026/qs-rankings-2027.html?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_term=news_story&utm_content=photo&utm_campaign=commsCorp

Watch this video and find out more about our exciting opportunity to be involved in a Photovoice project with Belmont University.

Students can learn more and sign up to the project from the Student Hub - https://qubstudentcloud.sharepoint.com/sites/stu-snam/SitePages/Exciting-Opportunity-to-be-involved-in-a-project-with-Belmont-University.aspx

Photovoice Research Study Discussion-20260617_180138-Meeting Recording.mp4

To celebrate , Becky Williamson (Teaching Fellow and RNLD) hosted a Lived Experience Talking Café, bringing together students, staff, people with learning disabilities, families and advocates to share experiences, ask questions and learn from one another.

At the heart of the event was a simple belief: the voices of people with learning disabilities and those closest to them should help shape the education of future healthcare professionals. Some of the most powerful learning comes not from textbooks, but from hearing directly about people's experiences of healthcare, what has worked well, and what still needs to change.

Through conversations about communication, diagnostic overshadowing, inclusion and health needs, attendees were encouraged to reflect on how small changes in practice can have a significant impact on the lives of people with learning disabilities.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and experiences so openly and honestly. Your insight challenged us, inspired us and helped us better understand what good healthcare looks like.

Because sometimes the most important thing we can do as healthcare professionals is stop, listen and learn.

💜 Voices. Experiences. Inclusion.

A big thank you to our guest speakers, Gerard McWilliamson (honorary lecturer), Patrina Loughran (RNLD) and Ciara Hughes (Lead Nurse) both nurses work within the Southern HSCT

A special thank you for our student volumeters, Lauen Holland and Katie McCrea, both second year learning disability student nurses. Finally thank you to Mairead Ryan and the rest of the QUBSONM staff for your support.

🎓 Dr Sid Dempsey Student Prize Now Open

The Dr Sid Dempsey Student Prize, established by The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity CCUC, will be awarded to three pre registration Children and Young People’s Nursing students.

📚 Who can apply
Pre registration Children and Young People’s Nursing students

📝 What to submit
A 500 word reflective piece on your experience of looking after a child or young person with cancer

🏆 Prizes
First prize £1000
Second prize £500
Third prize £250

📅 Deadline
10th July

🔗 Apply now
http://go.qub.ac.uk/SDPrize26

Read SONM’s latest article in The Conversation Boys want to challenge harmful ideas about manhood – working with them, not lecturing them, is the key

Boys want to challenge harmful ideas about manhood – working with them, not lecturing them, is the key Boys want to change the narrative, and education is vital in helping them.

Gareth Southgates’s BBC documentary this week on changing the game for boys was truly inspiring.

But it didn’t mention girls - or relationship and sexuality education, an important part….

Prof Lohan of our School responds: “Changing the game for boys means also giving them the skills for safe and healthy relationships. It will benefit them and the girls and women in their lives too”. Read our School’s latest article

Boys want to challenge harmful ideas about manhood – working with them, not lecturing them, is the key Boys want to change the narrative, and education is vital in helping them.

🎉 We are delighted to congratulate Andrew Adair, Student Learning Disabilities Nurse, on being named Runner-Up Student Nurse of the Year in the recent RCN Awards. This fantastic achievement was celebrated at a special event held at the Culloden Hotel last week, and recognised Andrew's dedication, compassion, and commitment to delivering outstanding care and advocacy for people with learning disabilities. To be recognised at such a prestigious level is a testament to Andrew’s hard work, professionalism, and the positive impact he has already made within nursing.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition Andrew. We are incredibly proud of your achievement and look forward to seeing your continued success in the future. 🌟

Thank you to everyone who visited us at the Balmoral Show last week. We had two fantastic days engaging with members of the public and the rural community.

Staff who attended carried out blood pressure checks and CPR demonstrations, while the Schools Rural Health Committee showcased their work on rural health and demonstrated effective handwashing techniques, with a focus on raising awareness of zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

The Rural Health Committee was proud to attend the launch of, the NI Agri Rural Health Forum health initiative this year, which is focusing on sepsis awareness.

After a really impactful launch at Balmoral Show, we’re reminding farm families to stay alert to the signs of sepsis and to trust their instincts if they’re concerned about an infection.

💬 Early action can make all the difference.

Find trusted information and support via The UK Sepsis Trust.