Who will be 2012 Nurse of the Year?
Photo by Simon Graham/Harrison Photography
THE search is on to find the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year 2012.
The awards were launched by the 2011 winner Pauline Haslett, live donor transplant co-ordinator in the Belfast Trust, who received the award for transforming the live donor service in Northern Ireland, and RCN Northern Ireland director Janice Smyth.
Organised by the RCN, this is the 16th year of the awards which are designed to recognise and reward excellence in the nursing profession.
Janice Smyth said the aim of the awards is to highlight the contribution that nurses make to patient care and the developments and innovations they are leading to improve it.
“Over the past 16 years we have seen outstanding examples of nurses developing services for patients that make a real difference to improving the health of the local community. Thanks to Pauline’s vision and commitment, the process for assessment for a live donor was reduced from two years to a one-day process.
“Nurses have experienced a very difficult few years and we are aware that health care and nursing have been under severe pressure. Despite this, nurses are continuing to work hard to provide a high standard of safe and effective care. More than ever, this is an opportunity to reward nurses for their achievements.’’
Ms Smyth said the awards are also an important opportunity for the public to show how much they value the care they receive.
‘‘Any member of the public can nominate a nurse or health care assistant they feel has made a special contribution to their care, or to the care of a friend or family member, for the Patient’s Choice Award.’’
Apart from the main Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award, there are seven other categories that nurses can be nominated for. The Chief Nursing Officer’s Award is aimed at those who have made a specific contribution to enhancing patient safety while the Bamford Vision Award is aimed at those working in mental health or learning disability settings.
Other categories include the Public Health Award, Team Manager Award and Health Care Support Worker Award. Pre-registration nursing students can apply for the Student Award and post-registration students for the Nursing Research Award
A special award to recognise outstanding achievement in the nursing profession in Northern Ireland will also be presented.
Application forms for all categories are available from the RCN by telephoning 028 90 384 600 or can be downloaded online at www.rcn.org.uk/northernireland . The closing date for entries is February 29, 2012. This year’s awards ceremony will be held on June 14, 2012 at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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