Student Nurse of the Year: Adult

This award aims to recognise an outstanding final-year student and to celebrate the breadth of learning needed to join this branch of the profession – from clinical skills to academic achievement, which underpin the treatment of all patients. In essence, entrants must combine the knowledge, skills and qualities required to excel. As a nurse entering adult nursing, the winner will have a broad understanding of a range of conditions and treatments, and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the nursing profession and its responsibilities.

Stage one of the judging process involves judges shortlisting entries based solely on the information you have provided here, so please make sure your entry includes as much evidence as possible. In stage two, shortlisted entrants will present their entries to a panel of judges for deliberation on Monday 20th September. This is currently scheduled to be in-person in our London offices (as it was pre-pandemic). This second stage is subject to change in accordance with official guidance relating to Covid-19. In case the second stage which is in-person cannot take place, your entry will be judged by the information you submit therefore please include as much information as possible.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges are looking for an exceptional final-year student nurse who can demonstrate excellence in the following:

• Knowledge of and competence in clinical skills
• Understanding of the rationale behind evidence-based practice, treatment choices and care pathways
• Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to use them with patients, families and carers
• An ability to act with compassion and empathy
• Active listening, responding and personalising care to meet patients’ needs
• Academic achievement
• Acting as a role model for student nursing
• Team playing and an appreciation of the role nursing within the wider multidisciplinary team
• Use of reflection and the confidence to question practice even if they may challenge others

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: you must be a final-year student on an adult nursing pre-registration course when the awards take place in November 2021 or have graduated in the six months prior to this to enter this award.

Take a look at what our 2019 winner had to say about winning the award: