University nursing team scoops four nominations at national awards

Nursing students and staff at the University of Derby have been shortlisted in four categories at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2016 – the only national awards to celebrate student nurses and nurse education.

The University of Derby has been nominated in the following categories:

• Educator of the Year – Lou Sherratt, Lecturer in Pre-qualifying Health Care
• Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year and Student Nurse of the Year: Mental Health – Helen Croft
• Return to Practice Course of the Year – University of Derby

Each year, the Student Nursing Times Awards pay tribute to student nurses who have demonstrated the academic achievement, clinical prowess and personal qualities that will make them brilliant nurses. As well as rewarding excellence for universities, mentors, lecturers and providers of placements.

Helen Croft, who lives in Derby and is studying Mental Health Nursing at the University of Derby, has been nominated for two of the awards. Helen has undertaken many extra activities during her time at Derby. She has been a student representative, delivered presentations to industry and peers, and participated in the interview and selection process for prospective nursing students.

This also isn’t the first time Helen has been recognised for her work. In 2014, she was awarded the University of Derby’s Learner of the Year award, followed by the Health Education East Midlands ‘Love Our Learners’ Award in the same year.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be shortlisted in two categories. It is an honour to be recognised at a national level and a privilege to represent my peers at a national level. All of the mental health student nurses at Derby deserve recognition for the hard work they put into their studies every day.

“The nursing team at the University has provided me great support and encouragement throughout my time here and I’ve been given many opportunities to develop my skills to be where I am today.”

Fiona Davies, Programme Leader at the University, said: “I am delighted the Return to Practice programme at Derby has been shortlisted for in these national awards.To facilitate a Return to Practice Nurse has been a privilege in terms of providing the support and direction needed for the nurses to embrace the changing face of healthcare today.”

Dr Wendy Wesson, Head of Post Registration Health Care at the University of Derby, added: “It’s fantastic to see that staff and students from the University of Derby have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards. It is testament to their dedication and hard work that this recognition has been granted.”

Winners will be crowned at a glittering awards celebration, which will take place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on April 28, 2016.

For more information about the Nursing courses on offer at the University of Derby, visit: www.derby.ac.uk/health-and-social-care/.