Being nominated for this award by academic staff at Robert Gordon University alongside those involved in assessing me in practice, came as a complete surprise. Never would I have imagined or dreamed I was worthy of achieving this prize on completion of my studies. I feel extremely proud of my efforts following all the hours of hard study which resulted in me gaining my Specialist Community Public Health Nurse qualification in 2020.
The need for a challenge away from hospital-based clinical nursing attracted me to the community, quickly learning to transfer my communication skills to meet the diverse individual needs of children and young people. Knowing if we have made a difference in their lives is never clear but empowering them to see their unique potential and ability to make a health-related change, is extremely rewarding.
This prize acts as a further motivator to inspire my learning which further assists me to deliver the very best individualized, evidence-based care for those vulnerable children and young people in my care.
Being awarded this prize has been such a positive experience allowing me to realise that the work I put in is being recognised by others. I was drawn to community nursing as I thought it was a great opportunity to be able to make a difference while caring for children and young adults in their homes/residential care.