Queen’s Nurse Jess awarded top honour

One of the first community nurses to receive the title of Queen’s Nurse in Scotland for almost 50 years has now been awarded a further prestigious honour for her outstanding work.

Jess Davidson, senior clinical forensic nurse based at St Leonard’s police station in Edinburgh, was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) during a ceremony on Saturday May 12.

The RCN’s top honour recognises exceptional commitment to the advancement of the science and practice of nursing, and to the improvement of health care.

She was among four nurses to be awarded a Fellowship at an event during the RCN Congress in Belfast.

It comes just five months after Jess received the title of Queen’s Nurse on completing a nine-month development programme alongside 19 other community nurses in Scotland.

Nominees of the RCN Fellowship are put forward by their peers in acknowledgement of their experience, accomplishments and dedication.

Jess was nominated for dedicating her professional career to clinical leadership in the criminal justice system and being a “champion for social justice”, with a particular interest in supporting people who find themselves in custody.

The RCN often calls on the expertise of Fellows to help develop professional policy positions, practice standards and services.

Speaking about her award, Jess said: “It was very unexpected but it’s been incredible. I’m still emotional just thinking about when they were reading out my name and profile during the ceremony.

“I have been wearing the medal ever since and I do feel so proud to have received it. But, really what I hope to achieve by winning this award is to showcase all the good practice going on within criminal justice.

“There is still more work to be done and I hope to highlight the pivotal contribution nursing makes. These awards give me the kudos to do and to broaden my ability to influence.”

Clare Cable, Chief Executive and Nurse Director of QNIS, added: “We are absolutely thrilled for Jess to receive this well-deserved award for the excellent care she brings to people who find themselves in police custody. But it is also a recognition of the passion she has for sharing her work to impact on education and policy.”