Teesside shortlisted for ten national nursing awards

Teesside University has been shortlisted in ten categories of prestigious national nursing awards to be announced in May.

The Student Nursing Times Awards 2015 award winners are due to be announced on Thursday 7 May at a ceremony in London.

Teesside University third year BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Adult) student Michelle Hudson has been shortlisted in two categories, Care Maker of the Year and Student Nurse of the Year: Adult

Mum-of-three Michelle, 38, of Stokesley in North Yorkshire, returned to education to change career to nursing. She said: 'I'm excited and shocked to have been shortlisted for two awards. The School of Health & Social Care has been extremely supportive throughout my academic studies, placement experience and the extra work I do as a Care Maker.'

Care Makers are part of a national network of student and newly qualified nurses who act as ambassadors for the professional values set out in the NHS nursing strategy. Michelle added: 'I love being a nurse and love working with the service users we are here to support.

'I am always proud to wear my Teesside University uniform. From day one we were encouraged to be nurses with the values of the 6Cs; care, compassion, commitment, competence, communication and confidence.'

Teesside University has also been shortlisted in eight other categories:

• Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs - Ashley Mehnert

• Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities - Joseph Woods

• Student Nurse of the Year: Post-Registration - Tara Ashley

• Mentor of the Year - South Tees NHS Trust staff nurse Sarah Leeanne Woolston

• Return to Practice Course of the Year

• Education Provider of the Year (Post-Registration)

• Education Provider of the Year (Pre-Registration)

• Student Placement of the Year: Community: Psychiatry Liaison, Teesside University and Tees Esk Wear Valleys Foundation Trust.

Third year Adult Nursing student and Teesside University Students’ Union President Ashley Mehnert said: 'I'm absolutely honoured to have been nominated, the opportunities I have been given by the Students’ Union and the University have been incredible and I'm very grateful for that as without them I wouldn’t have been considered.'

Joseph Woods added: 'I have just completed the BSc (Hons) in Learning Disability Nursing and I am ecstatic to have been shortlisted and honoured that my lecturers thought I was worthy of the nomination.'

He added: 'It was four years ago that I set out on my journey and I wasn't sure that I was doing the right thing as I lacked confidence. However with the knowledge that my lecturers have instilled in me and through their unwavering support, I now believe that I am ready to take on the world as an ambassador for people with a learning disability.'

Dr Pat Bramble, Senior Lecturer in Nursing/Programme Leader RTP, said of the Return to Practice Course of the Year shortlisting: 'We're delighted with this nomination which we’re sharing with all students, some returning to practice after more than 15 years. This is the first time the RTP programme has been included in the awards and I feel honoured that the programme at Teesside has been judged worthy of the place in the finals.'

Paul Keane OBE, Dean of Teesside University’s School of Health & Social Care, said: 'We are delighted in being nominated for so many categories which is a reflection on the quality of our students, staff and the excellent partnership working with our service colleagues.'

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