Skip to main content

Sign of the Times as Wales Gains Wide Recognition in Student Nursing Awards

Wales’ growing reputation as a mecca for attracting, supporting and developing the best young talent in the nursing industry has received yet another boost. 

The shortlist for the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards 2019 contains no less than 11 Welsh nurses, mentors, educators, universities and organisations spread across its 21 categories, more than ever before. 

The Student Nursing Times Awards is widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the UK’s up-and-coming nursing community, with this year’s event being held on Friday 26 April at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair. 

Among those shortlisted is Mitchell Richards of Swansea University in the Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year category, together with Julie Roberts and Stephen Prydderch of Bangor University who have both been listed in the Educator of the Year category. 

This year’s awards attracted a record breaking number of entries from across the UK, yet another reason why those who will be travelling to London from Wales can feel especially proud. 

“This is a significant moment not only for those who have been shortlisted but also for healthcare in Wales as a whole,” says Stephen Griffiths, Director of Nursing at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) which plays a leading role in the education, training, development and shaping of the Welsh healthcare workforce.  

“Right now, an awful lot of hard work is going into ensuring that student nurses in Wales have the best training, the best support, the best career opportunities and the best chance of making a positive impact on people’s lives. This recognition shows how the rest of the UK is starting to sit up and take notice of what we are doing.  

“I’d like to congratulate all of our shortlisted nominees and wish them the very best of luck at the awards ceremony.” 

Also shortlisted are: 

  • Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion – Stand Against Bullying, Swansea University 

  • Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration) – Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Team, Cardiff University 

  • Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Pre-registration) – Nursing at Swansea University, Swansea University 

  • Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs – Nicola Williams, Bangor University 

  • Partnership of the Year – Development of Post Registration Bespoke Academic Module, Caswell Clinic (ABMU Health Board) and Swansea University 

  • Partnership of the Year – Partnership Blue light Event, University of South Wales 

  • Student Innovation in Practice – NHS Hydr8, University of South Wales 

  • Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Difficulties – Kate Young, Bangor University 

Wales’ burgeoning reputation within the nursing industry is down to several key reasons. They include: 

  • A commitment to professional development, with Wales being the first country in the UK to educate all its nurses and midwives to graduate level 

  • The Welsh Government maintaining the NHS bursary for nurse and allied health professional education, available for those prepared to commit to work in Wales for two years after they qualify  

  • Wales having several higher education institutions providing pre and post registration training, meaning nurses can access every field of nursing – or train to be a practice nurse, health visitor or school nurse – by choosing to train in Wales 

  • Access to funding for post registration education to expand scope of practice or support career development to advanced practitioner 

  • Access to a wide range of excellent conference and library facilities, managed by a dedicated team of experienced staff 

  • A variety of routes into nursing which include undergraduate, postgraduate and part time/flexible learning options 

“Being a student nurse in Wales in 2019 is to be part of a breakthrough system that values the professional judgement of nurses and empowers them to make the decisions needed to deliver high quality care,” adds Stephen Griffiths. “That’s something we as a country should be extremely proud of.” 

ENDS 

Further information: 

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) was established on 1st October 2018. It is a special health authority within NHS Wales created by bringing together three key organisations for health – the Wales Deanery, NHS Wales’ Workforce Education and Development Services (WEDS) and the Wales Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE).     

Sitting alongside health boards and trusts, HEIW has a leading role in the education, training, development and shaping of the healthcare workforce in Wales. Its key functions include education and training, workforce development and modernisation, leadership development, strategic workforce planning, workforce intelligence, careers and widening access.    

Further information can be found at https://heiw.nhs.wales/