Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities

Victoria Denny Birmingham City University

Vicky Denny is an exceptional Nurse Associate and Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice who delivers compassionate, inclusive care and empowers service users within her learning disability service. Vicky advocates for her service users and their families, creating community and sharing awareness and knowldge of learning disabilities and learning disability nursing through creative social media posts and community events. Her innovative, inclusive activities inspire and support service users, families, and colleagues. Vicky is a shining role model and advocate in the field of learning disability nursing.

Stacey Ewing Open University

Stacey Ewing is dedicated and motivated, her strong values-base makes her award-winning worthy, as student nurse of the year: Learning Disabilities! Many testimonials of colleagues, past and present, have spoken of Stacey’s care and compassion being life changing for people in her care. As she promoted independence and inclusion in her unique and genuine way. It is a privilege to nominate such a worthy LD Student nurse. Stacey has embraced her role within the Open University as a student Learning Disability Nurse, with such passion and enthusiasm, it’s been contagious working with her. Stacey has been inspirational as a student.

Sarah Hodson University of Chester

Sarah was assessed presenting the evidence for an innovation in practice, (communication tool). She chose to promote the evidence around the need to prevent constipation in people with intellectual disabilities who have been admitted to a general hospital, clearly identifying factors that can increase the risk of constipation those with intellectual disabilities and some issues identified in the literature that prevent this service user group from being given the care that they need. Sarah’s practical approach to improving the health care experience and outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities is a cornerstone of reducing health inequalities for this client group.

Emma Hughes University of South Wales

This candidate is an excellent example of how student nurses should present themselves and show continually eagerness to learn , improve and develop their nursing skills. I feel inspired as a practice assessor by this candidate. She is an excellent advocate for individuals with a learning disability, she continually fights for equity , accessible healthcare and improvement in quality of life. This candidates passion comes from within and is noticed by everyone who meets her. She has made great impact on people with a learning disability and also on myself as a nurse. I am excited to watch her progress.

Emma Lucia Whiteman Northumbria University

Emma is an award-winning and published multi-disciplinarian. She has a distinctly two-pronged approach to fostering social inclusion: innovating person-centred resources and education strategies. Emma has spearheaded numerous initiatives to reduce health inequalities. Emma has also impacted on policy and curriculum, playing an influential role in the provision of interprofessional education at the university. An inveterate team-player, Emma has taken an active role in several professional groups, including through her Interprofessional Education Internship and sitting on the Learning Disability Shared Decision-Making Council. Already a published researcher, her academic work is consistently of outstanding quality.