RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards
RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards 2026
The RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards were established in 1997. The awards will take place on 4 June 2026 at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood.
Over the past 30 years, these awards have recognised innovation and excellence in nursing practice and outstanding contributions to patient care. They are open to registered nurses, midwives, health visitors, health care support workers and nursing students.
With the support of our sponsors we are delighted to invites applications for the categories below. If you have any queries relating to the awards, please email: ninurseawards@rcn.org.uk.
The closing date for these awards are Friday 27 February 2026.
For more information on interview dates, please find them here.
RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award
The RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award is open to all registered nurses and midwives working in all health care sectors in Northern Ireland and aims to recognise those who have succeeded in raising standards of care for their patients and clients.
Learning in Practice Award
The Learning in Practice Award is open to all registered nurses working in health and social care in Northern Ireland who have provided support for learning and development to a health care assistant, nursing student or registered nurse.
Student Award
Cancer Nurse Award
The Cancer Nurse Award is open to registered nurses working in cancer care in Northern Ireland.
CNO Rising Star Award
This award aims to recognise a registered nurse who has been qualified for less than two years but who, in that short time, has stood out as having improved the quality of their own practice and the area they work in.
Nursing Research Award
Health Care Support Worker Award
The Health Care Support Worker Award is open to all nursing assistants and health care assistants who work as part of the nursing team.
Palliative Care Award
The Palliative Care Award is open to registered nurses working in Northern Ireland.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award is open to registered nurses working in a leadership role in health and social care or the independent sector in Northern Ireland.
Independent Sector Nursing Award
This award aims to recognise a registered nurse or health care support worker who has made an outstanding contribution to care within the independent sector in Northern Ireland.
Directors of Nursing Award
Patient's Choice Award
Patients, clients or relatives can nominate someone whom they believe has made a difference and gone that extra bit further to ensure that the patient or client has received the highest standards of care.
Team Manager Award
Nurse of the Year Sponsors
Healthcare Ireland
Healthcare Ireland
Balmoral Healthcare
Balmoral Healthcare
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Western Health and Social Care Trust
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Business Service Organisation
Business Service Organisation
Clinical Education Centre
Clinical Education Centre
Department of Health
Department of Health
Kingsbridge Private Hospital
Kingsbridge Private Hospital
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support
Marie Curie
Marie Curie
NIPEC
NIPEC
Open University
Open University
Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast
Ulster University
Ulster University
Page last updated - 29/01/2026
