The RCN Nurse of the Year Awards back in 2020/21 were something I only followed on social media.
I read about my professional colleagues going above and beyond in their careers and making a difference in their patient's lives with tremendous appreciation and respect. I never imagined I would one day join the ranks.
Professional nurses do their job daily, not for praise or salary but to provide the best care for the most vulnerable people we are privileged to meet. Naturally, our daily passion is building relationships with fellow professionals, promoting excellent clinical practice, and challenging barriers whilst leading and supporting our team. The RCN Awards 2022 returned after a break due to the Covid-19 Pandemic with a new Independent Sector Nursing Award category. I was delighted to discover that the Directors of Hutchinson Care Homes had nominated me for this award, which was recognition enough.
Receiving the email from RCN to state I was successfully shortlisted was unbelievable and nerve-racking, especially when I discovered I had to deliver a 10-minute presentation and an interview. Then, equipped with my trusty notebook and pen, I was determined to get started on my presentation. Although 10 minutes did not seem very long when I began to write down what I would say, it soon became evident that it is easy to talk about something you believe in and love. Presenting in the RCN board room, under pressure and time-limited, whilst trying to give the judges a sense of who I am, was a comfortable experience! I could not believe it when I received the email from RCN stating I made it to the finals.
Looking forward to a night out, I prepared for the awards at the Culloden, which would be incredibly special, particularly after the Pandemic. There were three finalists in the Independent Sector Award, and right up to announcing the runner-up names, I had no expectations of winning! I would have been happy to receive the runner-up award. However, that was not the case, and I was overjoyed to discover I had won.
My colleagues' and families' elation in the room and following online made this even more memorable. If you had looked in through the window of the Stuart Suite of the Culloden Hotel on the night of the 16 June 2022, you would have seen the VIPs, the glamour, spotlights, and speeches. But, despite this glamour, more importantly, there was an atmosphere of recognition, appreciation, positivity, celebration, and genuine respect for all the nominees and winners across many nursing career pathways, and I felt very proud to be a part of it. I must acknowledge that my award resulted from a massive team effort in Antrim Care Home over the previous years. In collaboration with the NHSCT and Hutchinson Care Homes, we secured an Intermediate Care Contract. Therefore, due to delivering the service to such a high standard, the Northern Trust recognised our service as an example of excellence. To be acknowledged by the RCN, especially in the inaugural year of the Independent Sector award, will be something that Hutchinson Care Homes and I will long remember.
