The awards, which have been running for the past eight years, recognise nurses who demonstrate passion and excellence in their everyday roles across Wales.
“It makes me proud to know that nurses who go that ‘extra mile’ are celebrated”
Gaynor Jones
The celebration acknowledges nursing staff for their dedication to providing the highest standards of care to their patients.
In the past, the awards have been known to provide nurses and healthcare support workers with a platform to highlight their ground-breaking work.
To be nominated, nursing staff must illustrate a devotion to quality care through innovative leadership, motivation and enthusiasm.
They can be nominated by managers, colleagues, peers, patients and the general public.
Each winner will then be chosen by a panel of judges, which is made up of distinguished nursing leaders and experts in their fields of practice and expertise.
This year’s winners will be revealed at a glittering celebratory dinner on Wednesday, 13 November at City Hall, Cardiff.
Speaking at a launch event today at The Beacon in Llanelli, Gaynor Jones, chair of the RCN Welsh board, said: “As a practicing nurse, I am so proud to be a part of these awards.
“Welsh nurses are hard-working, dedicated and innovative,” she added.
“It makes me proud to know that our profession is acknowledged and that the nurses who go that ‘extra mile’ are celebrated,” she said.
“It has brought new opportunities and experiences”
Eve Lightfoot
Helen Whyley, director of RCN Wales, said: “The hundreds of nominations we have received previously, highlight the passion and dedication that provides the Welsh population with high quality, innovative care.”
Last year’s RCN Wales Nurse of the Year award went to Eve Lightfoot, who, while working as a community infection prevention nurse, carried out research to ensure there was a standardisation of equipment and helped to improve community education around sepsis and the early recognition of deteriorating patients.
The college determined her commitment to improving standards and influencing significant change through inspirational leadership made her a perfect candidate to receive this prestigious award.
helen whyley
Source: RCN Wales
Helen Whyley
Ms Lightfoot, who also won the RCN Community Nurse of the Year, said winning the award in 2018 was a great honour.
“It has given me a platform from which to work with others to promote the role of community nurses in the quest to improve patient care,” she added.
“It has brought new opportunities and experiences which will broaden my knowledge and increase my confidence, helping to open up new possibilities for my future career,” she said.
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/research-and-innovation/rcn-wales-launches-nursing-excellence-awards-for-2019/7028606.article