Learning in Practice Award

Practice-based learning is fundamental to maintaining the nursing workforce and creating a positive learning environment allows nursing staff and students to develop and thrive.

Open to registered nurses, midwives and nursing support workers who demonstrate an innate understanding of the importance of learning and development. This award aims to recognise those who provide effective supervision and assessment, create high-quality learning environments, act as a role model and who build and maintain relationships to enable and support learning and development in the workplace.

Nurses, midwives or nursing support workers who are engaged in supporting practice-based learning, disseminating innovative practice and have taken steps to create a positive learning environment for students and colleagues.

The nominee should clearly demonstrate:

• effective leadership in creating a positive learning environment
• a positive impact on the clinical practice, confidence and professionalism of the individuals being supported, supervised or assessed
• a commitment to person-centred care, innovation and delivering high quality services that make a difference to the people receiving care
• the positive impact of their research, service transformation or innovation for service users, families and colleagues
• the use of a credible evidence base and or developing an evidence base to underpin the work for which they are being nominated
• how their work contributes to the delivery of local and national policy and strategy within health and social care.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards, please get in touch by emailing scotlandnurseawards@rcn.org.uk

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West Glasgow ACH and West House Gartnavel Royal Hospital

The Practice Education team in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) focuses on enhancing patient experiences and outcomes by providing education, support and development opportunities for nurses, midwives, and health care support workers (HCSWs). This is achieved through building an educational infrastructure and collaborating with various stakeholders, including educational institutions and recruitment agencies. Key roles in the team include practice education facilitators, regional education leads, and HCSW education and development leads, among others. Recent successes include a programme to enhance workforce diversity and competence in HCSWs. Recognising the significance of the HCSW workforce in delivering quality care, the programme aimed to widen access, particularly for those underrepresented and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

JJR Macleod Centre for Diabetes, David Anderson Building, NHS Grampian 

The team aimed to develop an education programme, SANDRA (Supporting prActice Nurses in Diabetes, Revalidation and Appraisal), to train practice nurses in delivering diabetes clinics. This was prompted by the departure of experienced practice nurses, leaving a gap in patient care. The programme, led by Sandra Wilson, involved collaboration with diabetes specialist nurses and other health care professionals. The team overcame major challenges including funding, recruitment, and IT issues. Evaluation showed significant improvements in practice nurse confidence and skills, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced reliance on GP appointments. Plans for dissemination include sharing with colleagues nationally, accrediting the programme, and supporting other health boards. The initiative received commendation at the Quality in Care Diabetes programme.

Deputy Charge Nurse
MHDU, NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Yasmin, a deputy charge nurse in a busy medical high dependency unit, recognised the need for ward-based training for junior nursing staff due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their education and training. Nursing shortages, particularly in critical care, have exacerbated this issue nationally. Yasmin aimed to address this by creating a specialised training programme focusing on common medical high dependency presentations. With support from her line manager and colleagues, Yasmin developed a training package covering topics such as respiratory failure and diabetic ketoacidosis, which included practical sessions and competence assessments. The initiative led to increased staff confidence and competence, as demonstrated by pre and post-questionnaire results, with qualitative feedback indicating positive experiences and enhanced learning. While still in its early stages, the training programme has the potential to improve patient care, efficiency, staff retention, and possibly reduce hospital stays, aligning with the pillars of quality, service, people, and finance in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Team Leader, Complex Care Team, Community Nursing Adult Services, NHS Tayside

Described by colleagues as inspirational, Cath designed, developed and established a community based service to deliver leg ulcer, wound, and catheter care to the people of Dundee. Starting with a clear plan, she began by networking with local GPs and Practice Managers to identify the best locations for services and the staff who could deliver the service. With the GMS contract as a basis for her work, she developed business plans using her own knowledge and research of the local community and their health needs. With person centred care at its heart, this first of its kind project in Scotland has become a national gold standard and Cath has showcased it to both national and European health improvement conference delegates. She has also inspired and empowered the nursing staff who deliver the service by ensuring protected learning time which assured them their learning was being prioritised and valued. Cath sees her role not only to run the service but also to motivate and inspire the team to do its best and maintain their own wellbeing. With the team behind her, they have increased capacity and ultimately reduced readmission to hospital. With Cath shortly about to retire, her colleagues speak of her service as the positive legacy she will pass on to the future nurses of Dundee.