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Southern Trust win RCN Northern Ireland Leadership Challenge 2026
Registered nurses from across Northern Ireland came together this week for the latest RCN Northern Ireland Leadership Challenge, an experiential learning event designed to develop leadership skills and support professional growth among nurses working at working at practice levels 5 and 6 within Health and Social Care (HSC).
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The challenge provides participants with the opportunity to tackle complex and demanding scenarios linked to nursing practice and leadership in a safe and supportive environment. Each HSC Trust nominates a team of six registered nurses to take part. Throughout the day, teams are presented with a series of challenges focused on nursing leadership and patient-centred care. To ensure a realistic test of leadership and teamwork under pressure, participants are given minimal information about the challenges in advance.
Following a closely contested competition, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) emerged as this year’s winning team, while the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) were named runners-up.
A highlight of the event is the presentation of the Future Nurse Leader Award, which recognises an individual participant who consistently demonstrates the leadership values, skills and behaviours considered essential for future nursing leaders. The award acknowledges those who have the potential, with the right support and development opportunities, to make a significant contribution to nursing leadership in the years ahead.
This year’s Future Nurse Leader Award was presented to John Watson of the South Eastern Trust in recognition of his performance throughout the challenge and the leadership qualities he demonstrated across the day.
RCN Northern Ireland Associate Director, Ruth Thompson led the judging panel and commented:
“The RCN Northern Ireland Leadership Challenge continues to play an important role in nurturing the next generation of nursing leaders, encouraging collaboration across Trusts and helping participants to build the confidence and skills needed to meet the evolving challenges of modern healthcare.
“Congratulations to all of the teams who took part and in particular to the Southern Health and Social Care Trust on winning the overall award. The judges were hugely impressed by the exceptional quality and professionalism of the nursing staff taking part in the event, many of whom represent the nursing leaders of tomorrow.”
