Student Nursing Associate of the Year

Maxine Brennan University of Bolton

Maxine is a dedicated student nursing associate who goes above and beyond to provide an exceptional contribution to the team in which she works. She is passionate about providing education about sexual health and has completed extra training to become competent in microscopy. This enables Maxine to provide essential support amongst a team of dedicated professionals that provide same day testing and results for sexually transmitted infections. Maxine's dedication and commitment to further improving her clinical skills and knowledge enables more patients to have access to the same day testing service which improves patient outcomes.

Brittany Gage Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

This SNA works in a paediatric setting and is an excellent advocate for the role of the nursing associate in this area. She has developed significantly during her programme and is able to apply learning from her modules of study and her placements into her own practice to enhance the care she provides to children and their families. She applied learning from a mental health setting to be able to significantly support a patient in her own ward who developed a psychotic crisis. She leads on well-being for her ward, and is an excellent teacher of peers and others.

Phoebe Hall University of Salford

Phoebe Hall, a final-year Student Nursing Associate at Pennine Care Foundation Trust, excels in delivering safe, high-quality, person-centered care. Her commitment to allyship and dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health is reflected in her innovative contributions, such as a culturally sensitive safety planning prompt sheet and a sepsis awareness board. Phoebe consistently identifies gaps in care, proposes solutions, and enhances patient outcomes. Her exceptional communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills inspire her peers and elevate care standards, making Phoebe a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.

Millie Holley Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

I am passionate about my personal growth, my future in nursing and my ability to use this to create positive change within people's lives. I continue to be fulfilled by the contributions that I make throughout my practice and use this fulfilment as motivation to make effective changes with the hope of making a difference within my community. I treat everybody as valued individuals, promoting dignity and respect, seeking opportunities to work in alliance with my colleagues and peers to establish healthy relationships with the goal of improving outcomes for patients.

Charlotte King Rowcroft Hospice at Home and Plymouth University

I am delighted to support Charlottes application for the National Trainee Nurse Associate award. I am continually impressed with her positive can-do attitude, her thirst for knowledge and willingness to undertake and develop new skills.Her self motivation, commitment to learning and the development of her role embodies the six platforms.What makes Charlotte stand out for me is her innate advanced level of communication and emotional intelligence this appears to come very naturally to Charlotte; these are skills that are difficult to teach and can take many skilled practitioners’ years to master.

James McGowan Edge Hill University

James’s journey to becoming a student nursing associate exemplifies determination. Born with congenital hearing loss, facing learning differences, identifying as a gay man, James has already developed individual coping strategies. More recently receiving a diagnosis of HIV, he reached a turning point of making his dream of a career in the field of Nursing become a reality. James has overcome significant challenges in his life, and in his younger years he feels his opportunities were very limited. Now, having the opportunity on the Nursing Associate Programme, he is determined to succeed and drive his experience forward to help others.

Buchi Okonkwo Central and North West London NHS Trust

Elizabeth deserves to win this prestigious award as she is an outstanding final year trainee nursing associate with excellent leadership skills. She delivers care in the best interest of patients, giving patients choice and advocating for the patient in the MDT ensuring that the patient voice is heard and that care is delivered based on priority and needs of the patients. Elizabeth is an outstanding role model to other junior staff and students and is always willing to share her expertise by guiding and supporting other students. Elizabeth will be a proactive, competent, safe NA who will excel in nursing.

Witold Pawlowski Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This is another chance to make a difference! I strongly believe I am a good candidate for this award, and I can use this as an outstanding achievement to help others achieve similar goals and stand as an example for them and the general public. I love to learn and help others; not every day is the same, and it is the highest honour to serve and make a difference for my patients, families and other members of the NHS family.

Lyndon Pillar University of Salford

Lyndon Pillar, a Nursing Associate student at the University of Salford, demonstrates excellence in person-centered care, critical thinking, and advocacy. His compassionate approach has significantly impacted patients, including supporting vulnerable individuals in accessing essential services. As Chair of the LGBT+ Staff Network at Pennine Care Foundation Trust and a student representative, Lyndon fosters inclusivity, drives positive change, and advocates for his peers. His academic achievements and leadership skills are matched by his ability to apply knowledge to diverse clinical contexts, ensuring high-quality, safe care. Lyndon’s dedication, adaptability, and innovation make him an exemplary nursing associate and a true role

Marjana Sultana University of Salford

Marjana exemplifies compassionate leadership and quiet resilience. As a cohort representative supporting nearly 100 peers, she fosters inclusivity, advocates for change, and enhances the student experience through initiatives such as study aids and digital peer-support groups. Overcoming personal challenges, including racial discrimination during placement, Marjana courageously addresses inequities and amplifies student voices. Her dedication extends to improving the curriculum, promoting diversity, and representing students at university and national levels. Marjana’s unwavering commitment, humility, and transformative impact on her peers make her an exceptional candidate for this award.

Paul Thompson Bradford District Care

We, as a team, believe Paul should be extremely proud of his efforts and achievements throughout his learning experiences and his exceptional application of developing his learning into practice. Paul is of such a humble and modest nature, we, as a team, are very proud to have such an exceptional apprentice student in our midst and believe he deserves the recognition for all his efforts and contributions not only to his student development, but also to the support he gives to others, patients, colleagues and the wider team.

Louise Walker Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

As part of my practice, I led the development of a six-week walking group to promote physical activity and reduce social isolation for patients with low mood. Using a co-design model, participants selected walks, enhancing autonomy and engagement. The project involved risk assessments, training, and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patient safety. Positive feedback highlighted its success, and it will be featured in upcoming reviews to demonstrate the team's commitment to mental and physical health. Additionally, I have served as an autism champion and participated in clinical research, I am always striving to provide high-quality patient care.