‘I’ve been a nurse for 37 years, it’s sad to think my career could end like this’ – nurse found out her job was at risk online before Cardiff University told her
WELSH nurses say they feel “forgotten about four years after COVID” as Cardiff University proposes cutting 400 jobs.
The proposals, which would include axing ancient history, theology, music, and nursing, are to fill a £31m funding deficit.
A University and College Union (UCU) demonstration at the Senedd to demand more funding for higher education was expanded to also protest the planned cuts.
“We’re devastated,” said nursing lecturer Suzanne Hughes at the protest on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
“It came as a bolt from the blue because the communication from the university has been terrible – the press were informed before we were,” the 57-year-old said.
She found out her job was at risk when a student who had read it online emailed her to ask if it was true.
“I’ve been a nurse for 37 years – it’s sad to think my career could end like this.”
Fellow lecturer Dr Clare Hawker said: “In COVID, we worked as nurses during the day and lecturers at night.
“But now we feel forgotten about.”
Dr Hawker still considers herself an active nurse, saying that just last week she was called to help a woman that had fallen in her village.
“From a very young age I’ve wanted to help people. Nursing is in our hearts.”
But they say they are still in the dark as to what is going to happen.
“The students have been so supportive. They have really been leading the movement,” said Dr Hawker.
One of the students, Cerys Keane, said she was “utterly horrified at the proposal to close our school, and terrified of what this will mean for the future of the NHS”.
“I’ve had so many texts from people not knowing if they’ll even be able to keep studying in Cardiff,” the 27-year-old nursing student said.
“Our cohort is over 100 people, and it’s scary to think there will be 100 less nurses in Cardiff.”
Dr Andy Williams, Cardiff University’s UCU representative, said he also believed that the other courses and jobs proposed to be lost were also a mismanagement.
“We have turned up here in force to show our care for both these courses and about funding higher education in general,” the media lecturer said.
“This affects all of us because it’s changing the mission statement of universities.” He said be believed the institution no longer provides universal education, as promised.
“We have to have additional funding, but also spend well. We can’t just pour money into a poorly-managed university.”
Vice-chancellor Professor Wendy Larner, who made the proposition, has said in a statement addressing the cuts: “The precarious financial position of many universities, particularly in the context of declining international student applications and increasing cost pressures, and the need to adapt to survive are well documented.
“We know here at Cardiff University that it is no longer an option for us to continue as we are. Our new strategy, co-created with our community, lays out an ambitious future for our University where it is collaborative, innovative, and delivering value for Cardiff, Wales and the wider world.
“Securing that future, in the context of tightening finances, means we need to take difficult decisions to realise our ambitions to enhance our education and research, and improve the staff and student experience.
“We have worked diligently to create initial proposals for a slightly smaller University, refocused around our core and emerging strengths – a University ready to leverage new academic opportunities, prepare students for an adapting world and meet changing market demands as they arise.
“At the same time as putting forward these proposals to reshape our current activities, we will be working on a new model for flexible lifelong learning, new opportunities in transnational education, and new approaches to learning and teaching.
“Our proposals aim to create a more focused, higher quality research environment for staff and students that is world-leading with cynefin, place and co-creation at its heart.
“We also want to ensure a consistently excellent education experience for students of all backgrounds and experiences.”
Prof Larner also stressed that these are proposals and the final plans will be shaped through formal consultation over the next 90 days.
