Mental Health Nurses work with people of all ages, from childhood through adulthood to old age. As well as supporting people with mental illness, they have an important role to play in the mental health promotion of individuals and the wider community. Mental Health Nurses work as part of wider multidisciplinary and interagency teams to plan and deliver mental healthcare, ranging from promoting emotional and mental wellbeing through to supporting people with acute mental illness.

About the award: 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 within these specialities.

WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?

Registered Mental Health Nurses who are:

• Working at any level within a clinical role or managing clinical services within Wales.
• Practising in any sector for example: Independent Health and Social Care Sector, Third Sector, NHS or Local Authority.
• May be working with children, young people, adults or older people.
• Diversity in nominees is encouraged to reflect te workforce in Wales. 

CRITERIA

A nominee should be able to show that:

1. Their work follows national health and social care policy and strategy.
2. Through strong leadership, they have contributed to a new and original development that has made a real difference to people receiving care.
3. They use evidence to support their work, or they are helping to build an evidence base for the project they are nominated for.
4. They can show that the service or innovation they are nominated for has a safe and effective governance framework.
5. Their work has clearly benefited patients, clients, families and colleagues.
6. They have made a positive impact on safe and effective care, demonstrated through service evaluation, patient feedback or other methods.
7. They show passion and commitment for the nursing profession, consistently goes the extra mile and maintains a positive, “can‑do” attitude.
   
                        PLEASE NOTE THAT NOMINATIONS WILL BE SCORED USING EACH OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA POINTS, INDIVIDUALLY. 

What makes a winning entry? - top tips to make your nomination stand out from the crowd!

Please read the guidance note before beginning your submission. We have created some examples of excellent nominations to give you an understanding
of the detail needed to make your nomination shine. You can also watch our guidance video 'Writing the perfect nomination' for RCN Wales Nurse of the
Year' for some top tips fro making sure your nomination wows the judging panel.

Please remember to follow these key points:

• Tell us why you are nominating this person. A minimum of 300 words will be requested to explain your nomination, up to a 500-word limit for your
  submission. The more detailed you are the better so make full use of the word count given to you!
• Start with their successes: What's the headline? What are you proud of? Start with the attention-grabbing success to hook the judges immediately.
• When writing your 500 words please refer to the criteria for the category you are nominating for and hot each point mentioned by providing solid
  evidence. Each point will be scored individually and that way, you'll increase your chances of your nomination being shortlisted!
• Please tell us specifically how your nominee has gone over and above the requirements of their role, and/or how they have made a significant
  contributions to their field of work.
• Last but not least, check your spelling and grammar! Professionalism and care are equally as important to your nominations! Spell out any acronyms
  to be as clear to the judges as possible, and don't make any assumptions that they know what you are talking about!

We also encourage patient nominations; we want to hear about how your experience of excellent nursing care has touched your lives. This could be
yourself, a family member or someone who is making a difference in your local community! Contact RCN Wales if you would like help in choosing a
category to nominate. NurseoftheYearAwards@rcn.org.uk

Diversity in nominees is encouraged to reflect the workforce in Wales across all areas of nursing; Independent Heath and Social Care Sector, Third Sector,
NHS or Local Authority.