RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards 2012

The search is on to find the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year 2012. The awards were launched by the 2011 winner Pauline Haslett and RCN Northern Ireland Director Janice Smyth.

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

Last year’s winner Pauline Haslett, live donor transplant co-ordinator in the Belfast Trust, received the award for transforming the live donor service in Northern Ireland.

Aim of the awards

Janice Smyth, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland said: "The aim of the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards is to highlight the contribution that nurses make to patient care and the developments and innovations they are leading to improve it.

"Over the past 16 years we have seen outstanding examples of nurses developing services for patients that make a real difference to improving the health of the local community. Thanks to Pauline’s vision and commitment, the process for assessment for a live donor was reduced from two years to a one-day process.

"Nurses have experienced a very difficult few years and we are aware that health care and nursing have been under severe pressure. Despite this, nurses are continuing to work hard to provide a high standard of safe and effective care. More than ever, this is an opportunity to reward nurses for their achievements.

Valuing care

"The awards are also an important opportunity for the public to show how much they value the care they receive. Any member of the public can nominate a nurse or health care assistant they feel has made a special contribution to their care, or to the care of a friend or family member, for the Patient’s Choice Award.

"Apart from the main Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award, there are seven other categories that nurses can be nominated for. The Chief Nursing Officer’s Award is aimed at those who have made a specific contribution to enhancing patient safety while the Bamford Vision Award is aimed at those working in mental health or learning disability settings.

"Other categories include the Public Health Award, Team Manager Award and Health Care Support Worker Award. Pre-registration nursing students can apply for the Student Award and post-registration students for the Nursing Research Award

"A special award to recognise outstanding achievement in the nursing profession in Northern Ireland will also be presented.

Recognising nursing staff

"Nurses deserve to be recognised for the very valuable contribution they make to our health care and I would encourage nurses throughout Northern Ireland to consider nominating colleagues for the awards."

Application forms for all categories are available from the RCN by telephoning 028 90 384 600 or can be downloaded using the links below. The closing date for entries is 29 February 2012.