If you’re considering a Nursing or Midwifery degree, you probably already know that it takes intelligence, commitment and clinical skill. But more than that, it takes empathy, and the ability to sit with someone in pain and uncertainty and respond with compassion.
What isn’t always spoken about so openly is that caring can be emotionally demanding. Supporting patients and families through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives is a privilege, but it can also feel heavy at times. At Edge Hill University, we believe that preparing you for a career in Nursing or Midwifery means supporting you emotionally as well as academically.
That belief is why we embed Schwartz Rounds into our Nursing and Midwifery programmes, creating a structured, professionally supported space where you can reflect on the realities of clinical placements while developing the resilience to thrive in your role as a carer.
A legacy built on compassion
Schwartz Rounds began with the experience of Ken Schwartz, who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 1994. During his treatment, he realised that while medical expertise was essential, it was the small, human acts of kindness from healthcare professionals that stayed with him most. Those moments of empathy, he said, made “the unbearable bearable.”
Before his death, he established the Schwartz Centre for Compassionate Healthcare to foster compassion across healthcare systems. He wrote:
“For as skilled and knowledgeable as my caregivers are, what matters most is that they have empathized with me in a way that gives me hope and makes me feel like a human being, not just an illness.”
His words continue to shape healthcare education around the world, and they resonate deeply within how we prepare future nurses and midwives at Edge Hill.
What happens in a Schwartz Round?
As part of your Nursing or Midwifery degree, Schwartz Rounds provide dedicated time to reflect on the emotional and social elements of caring for others. They are not about assessing your clinical ability or solving problems. Instead, they encourage you to listen, share and recognise the human experience behind the role.
Each session is facilitated by a licensed professional trained by the Schwartz Centre, and the University fully funds this licence to ensure conversations are guided safely and thoughtfully. That professional structure means storytellers are supported, discussions are carefully steered, and everyone in the room can take part in a way that feels comfortable.
Themes such as “I wasn’t expecting that” invite students to reflect on moments from placement that challenged or surprised them. For final-year Nursing and Midwifery students, themes like “The day I made a difference” allow the opportunity to reflect on how far they’ve come, and celebrate those powerful “penny drop” moments where everything clicks into place.
“I found the Swartz round very beneficial to myself but also to understand my peers more. I felt it was emotional and empowering to be a part of.”– BSc (Hons) Nursing Student
Through shared storytelling, theory connects with practice in a deeply personal way. We help our students to understand that training as a nurse or midwife is not just about theoretical knowledge and mastering procedures, but about learning how to process complex emotions with maturity and self-awareness.
Reflecting, belonging and building resilience
Clinical placements are one of the most rewarding parts of a Nursing or Midwifery degree, but they can also be intense. You may experience situations that stay with you long after your shift ends, and without the right support, those experiences can build up quietly in the background.
By embedding Schwartz Rounds throughout the curriculum, we ensure that reflection is not an afterthought but a core part of healthcare training at Edge Hill. These sessions complement the wider student support available to Nursing and Midwifery students, including our inclusion and wellbeing services, so that you are never navigating challenges alone.
Through regular reflection, students develop emotional intelligence, peer-to-peer belonging and the resilience required to work in demanding healthcare environments without losing their compassion.
“The Schwartz Round sessions are extremely beneficial, as shared storytelling creates a sense of belonging in terms of having similar feelings around emotional attachments you may have when caring for patients.” – MNSW (Hons) Student
Becoming who you aspire to be
Many people considering studying Nursing or Midwifery wonder whether they will cope, whether they will fit in, or whether they are truly ready to take the leap. Those feelings are normal, especially if you are the first in your family to take this step or you are returning to education after time away.
Resilience is not something you either have or you do not have. It grows through experience, reflection and support. When you are given the space to share your story, to hear the experiences of your peers, and to understand that vulnerability and strength are connected, that’s when true confidence develops.
At Edge Hill, you’ll gain the clinical knowledge, hands-on placement experience and academic understanding required to succeed in modern healthcare settings. But you’ll also be part of a learning community that recognises the emotional realities of Nursing and Midwifery and actively prepares you for them. Becoming a nurse or midwife is not only about passing assessments. It is about developing the confidence to care deeply, think critically and remain compassionate even when situations are challenging – and at Edge Hill, that’s something you will never have to do alone.
April 24, 2026
