I remember looking up and seeing the applause, the smiles, the tears from my team, and feeling an immense sense of gratitude. To be recognised nationally, in a room full of brilliant peers was humbling.

This award was never just about me. It was about the work we all do, every day - compassionate, skilled, often unnoticed and quietly powerful.

The past year has been a whirlwind of opportunities, reflection and growth. Being given this title has opened doors I had not even considered. It has reinforced my confidence as a leader. It validated the work I have been doing and encouraged me to continue advocating for quality improvement and innovation in clinical practice. I have been able to share my journey at events, offer guidance and encourage others to believe in their potential – something I believe is crucial for sustainable nursing leadership.

One of the most powerful aspects has been using my visibility to highlight issues that matter: patient safety, staff wellbeing, safety culture, compassion, leadership, and the essential value of nursing in all its forms. I have contributed to strategic discussions about nursing and patient care, had conversations with policy makers at national level, clinicians, colleagues, students and patients who reminded me why I do what I do. I have been continually humbled by the stories I have heard from colleagues across Scotland and the UK – stories of compassion, persistence, innovation and courage.

I have always believed that nursing is both an art and a science – and critical care, where I have spent most of my career, exemplifies that balance. This award reminded me that leadership comes in many forms. Sometimes it is a clinical decision that saves a life. Sometimes it is mentoring a nurse who finds their feet because you took time to believe in them. Sometimes it is being brave enough to challenge the status quo – whether that’s through education, quality improvement or advocacy.

A memorable opportunity that came from holding the title was welcoming the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, to our ICU. It was a proud moment to have a national leader step into the very space where I have spent much of my career – to see first-hand the complexity, intensity and humanity of critical care nursing. The visit was not just symbolic, it was recognition, and it mattered. It opened up space for real conversation about workforce pressures, the emotional toll of the work, the innovation happening on the ground, and the importance of recognising and supporting staff. Creating this visibility for our team, who show up every day and give their all, was important, and to have their expertise and dedication acknowledged at that level was incredibly rewarding. I was proud to stand alongside my colleagues and shine a light on the phenomenal work happening in our unit.

One of the standout moments of the year was the genuine support I received from the RCN, not just in a formal sense, but also on a personal level. I was especially inspired when Professor Nicola Ranger, the RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive took the time to visit my team in person. Nicola is an authentic, inspirational nurse and it was powerful for my team to see national nursing leadership up close. To have that kind of access and engagement reaffirmed what the RCN stands for – not just advocacy at policy level, but true connection with the people doing the work.

I was also fortunate to spend time with Nicola in London and in Edinburgh. We exchanged meaningful and thoughtful conversations, where I felt heard, valued, encouraged and inspired. We spoke about the realities of nursing on the front line, the ongoing pressures the profession faces, and the need to nurture leadership at every level. Her warmth, authenticity and genuine interest in my experience reminded me that the most impactful leaders are those who take time – and who listen with intent. It was a powerful reminder that while titles and roles matter, it is presence, humanity and connection that makes the biggest difference. Sometimes the most influential thing someone in a senior position can do is simply make time – and in doing so, send the message “You Matter”.

The most recent opportunity that came from this accolade was the chance to attend and present at RCN Congress in Liverpool. This allowed me to share experiences with a national audience, sparking conversations and connections with nurses from across the UK. Taking part in a joint session alongside the ‘Nurse of the Year’ from Wales was particularly rewarding. It allowed us to share our different journeys and challenges, reinforcing the value of collaboration and cross-border learning. I came away inspired by the passion and innovation of my peers and felt proud to have represented Scotland on such a prominent platform. I also feel incredibly privileged to be representing RCN Scotland at the International Council of Nursing Congress in Helsinki in June, where over 7000 nurses from across the globe will explore the theme: Nursing Power to Change the World!

If I have learned anything this year it is that recognition is not the end, it is the beginning. It is a responsibility to speak up, show up and stand up for those who need it. It is a drive to keep pushing, to stay curious, to remain fiercely compassionate and champion the kind of change our patients, teams, and systems deserve. It is our actions that shift culture, drive improvements, and inspire others to believe they can do the same.

Being Scotland’s Nurse of the Year has been an incredible honour. As I pass on the title to the next deserving nurse, I do so with happiness and contentment. This role did not change who I am but it did deepen my sense of purpose and pride in this incredible profession. Recognition is powerful, but real change comes from using that recognition to show others that making a difference is possible, and that their voice, their actions, and their care truly matters.