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National nursing award nominations brings celebration to Teesside

22 March 2017

 

Three Teesside University nursing students have been shortlisted for prestigious national awards to be presented in April.

Front from left, student nurse Kelly Spence; Jill Foley, principal lecturer nursing; student nurse Sophie Proud. Back from left, School of Health & Social Care academics, Jacquie Horner, Marie Gressmann, Mark Wheatley and Ann French.
Front from left, student nurse Kelly Spence; Jill Foley, principal lecturer nursing; student nurse Sophie Proud. Back from left, School of Health & Social Care academics, Jacquie Horner, Marie Gressmann, Mark Wheatley and Ann French.

Teesside University has also been nominated for a Student Nursing Times 2017 Award. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 27 April.

Categories which Teesside has been shortlisted in are:

• Most Inspirational Student of the Year – Kelly Spence

• Student Nurse of the Year (Child Nursing) – Sophie Proud

• Student Nurse of the Year: (Learning Disabilities) – Catherine Thompson

• Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Pre-Registration) - Teesside University.

Kelly, 33, from Darlington, who is a final year BSc (Hons) Nursing: Child student, said: 'I was overwhelmed when I found out I had been nominated.

'I visited a few universities when I was thinking of doing the degree, but I was impressed most by the facilities for nursing at Teesside. The degree came highly recommended to me and I knew a few people who have studied here.

'I had always wanted to be a nurse and had started to study at college, but I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I took another direction in my career, but when I turned 30 I decided to go for it and completed an access course. I also won an award from the Helena Kennedy Foundation and they helped to mentor me through my studies.

'As a mature student there was a bit of age difference among the students on the nursing degree, but we all got on so well. I’ve loved my time at Teesside and really made sure I immersed myself into student life.'

These nominations are a reflection of the quality of our students, staff and the excellent partnership working with our service colleagues.

Marion Grieves, Dean of the University's School of Health & Social Care

Sophie Proud, 20, from Seaham, also a final year BSc (Hons) Nursing: Child student, made the headlines last year when she completed a nurse placement at the very baby unit where she was cared for as a premature baby when she was born at just 24 weeks.

She said: 'I feel privileged to be nominated, I didn't expect it. When I found out I had been shortlisted, I couldn't believe it. It's a wonderful feeling to be recognised for my achievements.

'Teesside University has completely prepared me for a career in nursing. The training and placements providing lots of opportunity to put into practice what we are learning.'

Marion Grieves, Dean of the University's School of Health & Social Care, said: 'We are delighted that three of our students have been nominated for awards. These nominations are a reflection of the quality of our students, staff and the excellent partnership working with our service colleagues. We are delighted and wish them luck.

'The additional nomination for the University brings deserved recognition for the whole School of Health & Social Care team, who go the extra mile to inspire the nurses of the future.'


 
 
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