Wales wins 'triple crown' at Student Nursing Times Awards

There was good news for Wales at the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards 2019, held in London on Friday evening (26 April) at the plush Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair.

The Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration) category was won by the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Team at Cardiff University.

Kate Young of Bangor University scooped the Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Difficulties award, while the Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Pre-registration) award went to the Nursing at Swansea University team. 

The Student Nursing Times Awards is widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the UK’s up-and-coming nursing community. This year the shortlist contained no less than 11 Welsh nurses, mentors, educators, universities and organisations spread across its 21 categories, more than ever before.

There was also a record breaking number of entries from across the UK, yet another reason why those who were shortlisted from Wales can feel especially proud.

“I’d like to congratulate all three of our winners, and indeed all those from Wales who were shortlisted,” says Stephen Griffiths, Director of Nursing at Health Education and Improvement Wales. 

“A lot of hard work goes into ensuring that our student nurses 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 sitting up and taking notice of what we are doing here in Wales.” 

Also shortlisted from Wales was:

•    Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion – Stand Against Bullying, Swansea University
•    Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year – Mitchell Richards, Swansea University
•    Educator of the Year – Julie Roberts, Bangor University
•    Educator of the Year – Stephen Prydderch, Bangor 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

“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.”