RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards
RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards 2026
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
RCN Wales encourages nominations that reflect the true workforce in Wales, across all areas of nursing; Independent Health and Social Care Sector, Third Sector, NHS, or Local Authority.
Nominated nurses, midwives, nursing students and health care support workers must demonstrate a passion for their profession and exemplify distinction in care, leadership, service and innovation. Nominators should consider how their nominee encourages equity, diversity and inclusion throughout their professional practice. Individuals can be nominated for an award by peers, teams, managers, patients and the public.
If you are considering a nomination in this year’s awards and would like to find out how to make your submission really shine, RCN Wales invite you to join one of our Q&A sessions here.
Nominate your nursing hero now!
Choose from one of the 14 categories below. On these pages you will find help sheets, guidance notes, hints and tips along with your 2026 nomination form. Please read the guidance note before you submit your nomination. Good Luck!
The 2026 nomination window will not be extended, therefore your final deadline for nominations is 23.59 Sunday 5 July 2026.
Are you a patient thinking of nominating a deserving member of the nursing profession?
Members of the public can nominate an individual nurse, midwife, nursing student or health care support worker for any of the award categories. You will need to seek support from their senior nurse / manager to help guide you on choosing a suitable award category, and to input into the ‘reason for nomination’, to help you evidence how the individual meets the award criteria. Should have any further queries about how a patient can nominate please contact 02920 680746.
We are delighted that the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2026 Awards Ceremony will return to The Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa by Sunday on Thursday, 19 November 2026, celebrating the 13th anniversary of the awards with our incredible sponsors and partners.
Find out more about our 2025 winners and runners-up.
"At the heart of nursing is a commitment to care, dignity and excellence. The Nurse of the Year Awards gives us an opportunity to celebrate those who live these values every day. I encourage all of us to reflect on our colleagues who inspire and mentor them and to come forward to ensure their work is recognised. Please nominate today."
Jackie Davies, Chair of RCN Wales Board
"We have the most amazing nursing staff doing extraordinary things. Every day across Wales, registered nurses, health care support workers, midwives and nursing students are making tangible differences in peoples lives - often quietly and without recognition. These awards are a chance to change that. If someone has made a difference to you, your family or your community, please take a moment to nominate them. If you have a colleague who consistently goes above and beyond their duty or has improved the lives of their patients, please put their name and story forward. Your voice can ensure their impact is seen, valued and celebrated. Just being nominated for a Nurse of the Year award will mean so much, our winners describe winning as life changing."
Nicola Williams, Executive Director RCN Wales
Should you have any queries about this years event or want to talk to us about 2026, please do not hesitate to contact us via NurseoftheYearAwards@rcn.org.uk or on 02920 680746.
RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards 2026
Nominations will close 23:59 on 5 July
Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award
Inclusive Leadership Award-Celebrating Equity, Diversity and System Impact.
Sponsored by Chief Nursing Officer, Welsh Government
This Leadership Award recognises clinical Nursing or Midwifery leaders who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to creating inclusive, equitable and empowered environments for both the workforce and those accessing care across Wales.
Improving Individual and Population Health Award
Sponsor to be confirmed
This award aims to recognise a nurse or midwife who has made an outstanding contribution to improving individual and/or population health, including the introduction of changes that lead to innovative health improvement or health protection interventions or programmes.
Nurse Education Award
Sponsored by University of South Wales
This award recognises Registered Nurses who have made a significant difference to the development and or delivery of high quality education to those who deliver/ aim to deliver health care.
Registered Nurse - Child Award
Sponsored by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
This award aims to recognise a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife who has made an outstanding contribution to care of children, young people or the midwifery care of mothers-to-be/ parent/s.
Research, Innovation and Digitalisation in Nursing Award
Sponsored by Digital Health and Care Wales
This award is intended to recognise nurses and midwives who have improved the care of people through evidence-based innovations to deliver and / or influence change. Nominators should provide a clear narrative explaining why and how the research or transformation was developed or implemented and how this change has improved the patient experience and outcomes of care.
Community & Primary Care Nursing Award
Sponsored by Hywel Dda University Health Board
This award celebrates the achievements of all registrants of the NMC register who have made an outstanding contribution to the care of people in a primary or community-based setting.
Independent Sector Nursing Award
Sponsored by ivolve Care & Support
This award aims to recognise a Registered Nurse who has made an outstanding contribution to care within the independent health and social care sector in Wales. Nominees will be a Registered Nurse committed to providing the highest quality care within the Independent Sector, to improve quality of life.
Nursing Student Award
Sponsored by Health Education and Improvement Wales
This award aims to recognise Nursing/Midwifery students who have shown exceptional promise during their professional education and/or practice placements.
Registered Nurse - Learning Disabilities Award
Sponsored by Swansea Bay University Health Board
This award aims to recognise an exceptional Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse who is being recognised for their innovative and creative approach to the care of people who are living with Learning disabilities.
Specialist Nursing Award
Sponsored by Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
This award aims to recognise nurses undertaking specialist practice who make an outstanding contribution to patient care, including the introduction of changes that leads to innovative programmes of care.
Health Care Support Worker Award
Sponsored by Welsh Joint Commissioning Committee
This award is open to any Health Care Support Worker who has demonstrated commitment to providing high standards of care within nursing teams. They must work providing health or social care under the guidance and supervision of a registered nurse, midwife or health visitor and should not be on the professional register (such as NMC).
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
This award aims to recognise a truly exceptional Registered Nurse who is recognised as providing a lasting contribution to the nursing profession.
Registered Nurse - Adult Award
Sponsored by Powys Teaching Health Board
This award aims to recognise a Registered Nurse who has made an outstanding contribution to the care of adults.
Registered Nurse - Mental Health Award
Sponsored by Aneurin Bevin University Health Board
This award aims to recognise an exceptional Registered Mental Health Nurse who is being recognised for their innovative and creative approach to the care of people who are living with Mental Health difficulties.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Find out how your support can help make our 2026 celebration the best yet!
To our 2026 Sponsors
Thank you to all our confirmed Award sponsors for supporting the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards 2026.
RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Alumni Network
Find out about our Alumni Network and see the latest news.
Page last updated - 30/04/2026
