Lorraine named top student nurse – as University honoured for supporting students with disabilities
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THE University of Stirling has notched up two successes at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2013.
Lorraine Armstrong, a student at our Stirling campus, won the “Student Nurse of the Year: Adult” title in the prestigious UK-wide contest. Lorraine is 30 and lives in Bonnybridge.
The University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health also won the “Teaching Innovation of the Year” award. This recognised the work led by Teaching Fellow/Senior Student Support Officer John Gavin, supporting students with disabilities to achieve their potential in clinical placement.
Professor William Lauder, the Head of the School, said: “These awards reflect the University of Stirling’s pursuit of excellence. Everybody associated with the School aspires to be the very best, whether that be as a student, as an educator and a researcher. In partnership with our NHS colleagues we aspire to transform the care provided to patients, their carers and relatives.
“Lorraine Armstrong has shown herself to be the top Student Nurse (Adult) in the UK in 2013. There are tens of thousands of students nurses in her year and to be nominated the top student is a high accolade. John Gavin has championed the support provided to students with a range of disabilities. This has improved both the experience and real outcomes of students.”
The winners were announced at The Grange St Paul's Hotel in London on Wednesday. Pictures from the event have been shared on the photo sharing site Flickr.
On their website, the awards’ organisers said: “In its 2nd year, we have had double the number of entries and over 400 talented student nurses, education providers, and mentors in the room. It has been wonderful to see those students who have been excelling in their studies and going the extra mile; and the mentors, lecturers and educational providers that have been continuing to shape and inspire our nurses of the future. Many thanks to all our sponsors, judges and all those who entered; and well done to all those deserving winners.”
The Editor of Nursing Times, Jenni Middleton, said: "The Student Nursing Times Awards are testament to the excellent standard of education for nurses in the UK. The lecturers teaching students are inspiring and passionate, those organisations and mentors shaping the practical skills of nurses in placements are professional and committed, and the students who are being trained are dedicated and skilled. These awards are about the future of nursing, and if nursing is in the hands of these students, today’s shortlist and finalists show that nursing is in very safe hands."
Student Lorraine Armstrong – second left – with her award at the ceremony in London. Picture courtesy of the Student Nursing Times Awards.
John Gavin collects the “Teaching Innovation” award on behalf of the University’s Nursing School at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2013. Picture courtesy of the Student Nursing Times Awards.
In addition to Lorraine’s success, five other Stirling students reached the finals of the competition:
- Meggan Reid (Finalist - Student Nurse of the Year: Adult) is 21 and from Stirling, formerly of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
- Siobhan Campbell (Finalist - Student Nurse of the Year: Mental Health) is aged 28 and is from Coatbridge.
- Michelle Davidson (Finalist - Student Nurse of the Year: Adult) is 24 and from Teandalloch, by Beauly in Inverness-shire
- Graeme Macpherson (Finalist - Student Nurse of the Year: Adult) is 32 and from Tong on the Isle of Lewis.
- Shelly Munro, based at the University’s Inverness base, was shortlisted in the Student Nurse of the Year: Midwifery category. Shelly is 33 and lives in Alness.
In addition to winning the “Teaching Innovation” category, the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health was a finalist in:
- Nurse Education Provider of the Year: Pre-Registration – a category it won in 2012;
- Partnership of the Year - for a joint project with NHS Highland and NHS Western Isles and local authorities, promoting nursing careers among school pupils in remote areas.
Find out about the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health at https://www.stir.ac.uk/nmhealth/
** The Student Nursing Times Awards are designed to celebrate outstanding training and support to student nurses. Amongst those attending this week's awards ceremony were: Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England: Viv Bennett, Director of Nursing, Department of Health and Public Health England; and Peter Carter, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing.
For more information on the Student Nursing Times Awards visit: www.studentnursingtimesawards.co.uk
Professor June Andrews the Director of the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) in the School of Applied Social Science at the University spoke at the awards ceremony. She was previously presented with the Chief Nursing Officer's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nursing Times Awards last autumn. Picture courtesy of the Student Nursing Times Awards.