University News Last updated 15 February 2012
A nurse who has overcome adversity to make a name for herself as a speaker, writer and advocate for her profession is among the outstanding former students who will be honoured at Birmingham City University’s forthcoming graduation ceremonies.
Bethann Siviter graduated with a Diploma in Higher Education: Adult Nursing in 2002 and is being honoured as one of the University’s Alumni of the Year in the Community Engagement and Leadership category.
Originally from the USA, Bethann came to the UK in 1999 and completed her nursing diploma at Birmingham City University in 2002. It was at the University that she built up her campaigning expertise as a student activist for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and began writing The Student Nurse Handbook in an attempt to offer support and information for other pre-registration nursing students. This was eventually published by Elsevier, and was followed by the Newly Qualified Nurse's Handbook in 2008.
Bethann overcame sudden illness and disability in 2006, not only returning to her demanding role as a Nurse Consultant but also using her experiences to help support other people with disabilities who work in nursing. She has a regular column in Primary Health Care magazine, presents at seminars and is a regular contributor at RCN Congress, the annual meeting of the Royal College of Nursing.
Looking ahead, Bethann plans to continue in her current role, advancing the cause of nurses with disabilities through leading by example and by further study and research, and said she was delighted to have been named as one of the University’s Alumni of the Year.
She added: “I have so many memories of the University – I learned that anything was possible and if something was the right thing to do, there was a way to do it.
“I had so many wonderful lecturers who didn’t see us as students, but as colleagues in development, and I’ve always looked to take that attitude with me. I hope I get the chance to give more back to students and the University and this award will give me further opportunities to do that.”
Bethann’s award ceremony is taking place on Monday 20 February 2012 at Symphony Hall Birmingham