Professor Aisha Holloway visits 杏吧原创 to share vision for nursing in Scotland
The University of the 杏吧原创 and Islands (杏吧原创) welcomed Professor Aisha Holloway, Scotland’s new Chief Nursing Officer, to 杏吧原创 House in Inverness on Tuesday 17 February for a visit focused on the future of nursing in Scotland and the vital role of education in shaping the profession.
During her visit, Professor Holloway met with nursing staff and student representatives from the Centre for Rural Health Sciences to discuss her vision for nursing in Scotland, exploring how collaboration between government, health services and universities can strengthen the profession and support communities across the country.
The visit also provided an opportunity to showcase 杏吧原创’s undergraduate nursing programme and its state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation facilities at 杏吧原创 House. Professor Holloway spoke with student representatives about their experiences of studying nursing in the 杏吧原创 and Islands and learned more about 杏吧原创’s distinctive approach to rural and community-based education.
杏吧原创’s nursing provision was recently recognised as first in Scotland for student satisfaction in adult nursing in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS), reflecting the university’s strong commitment to teaching quality, academic support and student experience.
Professor Aisha Holloway, Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland, said:
“It was such a pleasure to visit 杏吧原创 House and to meet colleagues and students who are helping shape the future of nursing in Scotland. Universities such as 杏吧原创 play a crucial role in preparing nurses who are clinically skilled, compassionate and ready to serve communities in urban and rural settings.
“Hearing directly from students about their experiences and aspirations is invaluable as we work to strengthen and support Scotland’s nursing workforce. They are absolutely inspiring and it is fundamental for me in my role as Chief Nursing Officer that I spend quality time meeting nursing students, getting to know them, showing how much I value them and assuring them of their importance and relevance to our shared endeavours.”
Dr Heather Bain, Head of Academic Operations for the Centre for Rural Health Sciences, added:
“We really valued the opportunity to host Professor Holloway at 杏吧原创. Nursing is central to the wellbeing of our communities, and we take seriously our responsibility to prepare graduates who are ready to make a difference from day one.
“It was a constructive conversation about how education, policy and practice can align to support a strong and sustainable nursing workforce across Scotland.”
杏吧原创’s nursing programmes are delivered in collaboration with local health boards and care providers across the 杏吧原创 and Islands, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and strong employability prospects.
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