The 国产视频 has been shortlisted for Best Student Experience in the annual Student Nursing Times Awards. Meanwhile, several students have also been shortlisted across a number of categories in the Awards.
Midwifery student Ash Bainbridge has been shortlisted in the Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion; Tanya Knibbs and Melanie Palfrey have both been shortlisted for Learner of the Year: Post-registration; Lucy Sullivan has been shortlisted as Practice Supervisor of the Year; while Laura Whitehouse has been shortlisted for Student Midwife of the Year.
Robert Dudley, Head of the Three Counties School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University said he was incredibly proud of both staff and students.
“We are thrilled to have five students shortlisted for individual awards, as well as being shortlisted for Best Student Experience overall.
“We know the outstanding commitment and dedication of both our students and staff, and the valuable contribution they make to the communities they serve.
“As Nursing and Midwifery educators, we empower our students to think critically and professionally about the challenges they face, so that they themselves can push for transformation and drive improvement in their services in the future.”
The prestigious Student Nursing Times awards pay tribute to student nurses and midwives and the programmes and people committed to providing outstanding training and education opportunities. The winners will be announced on May 27th at a ceremony in London.
Ash Bainbridge: shortlisted for Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion
Second year Midwifery student Ash Bainbridge was inspired into a change of career after their own experiences of having children.
The parent-of-two, from Worcester, who had previously worked in education, said: “They were each born in different parts of the country, and I received different care welcoming them to the world: from the checks that were offered during my antenatal appointments to the postnatal support I received for infant feeding, plus how safe I felt when sharing my LGBTQ+ status. I experienced the difference a midwife makes who listens, educates, and facilitates informed choice during such a short, yet transformational period in someone’s life.”
Ash said their time working in education supporting teenagers facing health and wellbeing issues had left them “passionate about improving care for those in my community”. Their future plans are to blend working clinically with improving LGBTQ+ families’ access to, experiences of, and outcomes in perinatal services.
Speaking about the award shortlisting, Ash said: “I was surprised to be nominated, and even more so to be shortlisted. In healthcare, currently, LGBTQ+ rights - particularly those for transgender and non-binary birthing people - are suffering. Being shortlisted for this award gives me hope that healthcare professionals care about my community’s rights, further empowering me to advocate for safer pregnancies for everybody and every body.”
Melanie Palfrey and Tanya Knibbs: shortlisted for Learner of the Year: Post-registration
Melanie and Tanya are both studying for an Msc Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) qualification at the 国产视频.
Melanie, a Mental Health Nurse, said: “Through my nursing career I have worked across inpatient and community dementia services in both nursing and management roles. The ACP training opportunity will enable me to apply expertise and knowledge within the frameworks of ACP as an autonomous practitioner within my scope of dementia speciality.”
She added: “To have a joint nomination and shortlisting for the Nursing Times Postgraduate Learner of the Year Award is a privilege. Grateful thanks and appreciation go to my personal academic tutor for the nomination and support, work managers and colleagues for their enthusiasm and willingness to embrace the integration of ACPs within the Early Intervention Dementia Service and my fellow nominee.”
Tanya said she was also delighted to be shortlisted. “To be shortlisted for a joint nomination for the postgraduate learner of the year award is surreal. It almost seems unfair to 'be picked out'. The team I work for have been supportive and encouraging, and without this it would not have been possible to have achieved what I have. My personal academic tutor at the University has been as supportive and encouraging. I would like to thank her for recognising and valuing the work that has been put into my ongoing portfolio and her contagious enthusiasm and passion for advance clinical practice.”
Lucy Sullivan: shortlisted as Practice Supervisor of the Year
Lucy Sullivan is a Junior Sister at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and has been mentoring student nurses for almost 10 years. A student herself, currently completing a top-up degree at the 国产视频, Lucy said she was overwhelmed to have been nominated for this award by one of her mentees.
“I feel honoured that this student has taken the time to nominate me for this award,” she said. “She was an exceptional student nurse with the knowledge, skills and work ethic expected from a third-year student. We worked so well together, and she instantly became one of the team.”
Lucy qualified as an adult nurse in 2012 and became a Junior Sister within two years.
“I believe the mentorship role is important to guide and support students and encourage best practice for our future nurses,” she said. “My approach is very welcoming, and I am passionate about student coaching in practice (SCIP) as I believe this gives students the confidence to recognise their ability and give them the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills. If we remain professional and treat our student nurses with the respect that they deserve, then in return they will achieve more and reach their true potential.”
“It is lovely to see a student's journey from student nurse to colleague and friend, Lucy adds.
Laura Whitehouse: shortlisted for Student Midwife of the Year
Mother-of-two Laura Whitehouse said she was thrilled to be shortlisted in the Student Nursing Times Awards as Student Midwife of the Year.
“Recognising that few periods in a woman's life are as transformational as when she becomes a mother, or extends her family, I was passionate to join a profession where building trusting relationships and providing high standards of women-centred care are fundamental to enhancing the childbearing, and transition to parenthood experience,” said the 33-year-old, from Wychbold.
“I am extremely proud of my academic and practical achievements during my time at university and feel privileged to have applied my learning in contributing to the care of many wonderful families. Having these achievements recognised through being shortlisted for this award, though unexpected, is a substantial personal accomplishment.
“I cannot wait to begin my career as a midwife, upon completion of my studies and hope to further my education in the future.”
The University has expanded the number of places available on Nursing programmes in recent years, having been awarded the largest allocation of additional places by the Government in 2020. Placements are available across the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, as well as in the West Midlands, including in Dudley and Halesowen.