Shortlisted for the Nursing Times Awards 2026

• Student Placement of the Year: Community, for the University’s Public Health Simulated Practice Learning initiative
• University Educator of the Year, which Lecturer Nursing Carly Le Marechal is in contention for.

View the shortlist >

Public Health Simulated Practice Learning (PHSPL) at Solent University provides a simulated placement environment where BSc (Hons) Adult and Mental Health Nursing students, alongside FdSc Nursing Associate students, are fully supported through structured reflection, tailored supervision, and dedicated pastoral care.

Students work collaboratively within simulated public health teams, developing critical insight through innovative, hands-on public safety scenarios focused on safeguarding, vaccination, asylum seeker health, and mental health.

This practice-led approach to teaching, grounded in cultural awareness, expert facilitation, and real-world tasks - enables students to build confidence, strengthen motivation, and achieve a valuable learning experience. PHSPL effectively bridges the theory–practice gap in community public health, preparing student nurses who are confident, competent, and truly fit to meet the current healthcare needs.

Recognised nationally as the ‘Oscars of Health Education’, this shortlisting supports the University’s TEF Gold status and testifies to the quality of teaching that Solent students receive.

The University would like to thank all staff who contributed to this achievement. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on Friday 24 April 2026.