RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards 2010

The search is on to find the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year 2010. The awards were launched by the 2009 winner Iona McCormack, UTV presenter Lynda Bryans who is compering the awards, and RCN Northern Ireland Director Janice Smyth.

Organised by the RCN, this is the 14th year of the awards which recognise and reward excellence in the nursing profession. This year’s ceremony will be held on 3 June 2010 at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood.

Last year’s winner Iona McCormack is a clinical nurse specialist in dermatology at Belfast City Hospital. She won the award for setting up a nurse-led screening service for the early detection of skin cancers.

Commenting on the awards, Janice Smyth, RCN Northern Ireland Director, said: “For the past 14 years these awards have recognised and rewarded good practice in the nursing profession in Northern Ireland.

“Our aim is to focus on the achievement of local nurses and the contribution they make to developing services for patients and promoting high standards of patient care. Nurses like Iona illustrate the diverse nature of nursing today. We don’t often hear about the benefits gained from the research and initiatives they have pioneered and these awards provide an opportunity to recognise this.

“It is also an opportunity for the public to show how much they value the work that nurses carry out. I would urge any member of the public to nominate a nurse they feel has made a special contribution to their care, or that of a friend or member of their family, for the Patient’s Choice Award.

“The awards are designed to reward nurses working in all sectors of health care and this year, we have two new awards in the form of the Bamford Vision Award for mental health and learning disability and the Public Health Award. Candidates can also apply for the health care support worker, team manager, nursing research and student awards.

“The health service in Northern Ireland is facing significant challenges which makes it even more important that nurses are recognised and rewarded for their hard work and commitment to patient care. These awards are the perfect opportunity to highlight the benefits gained from the innovative and progressive initiatives that have been pioneered by local nurses.”

Application forms for all categories are available from the RCN by telephoning 028 90 384 600. The closing date for entries is 26 February 2010.