Becoming a registered nurse/midwife is the culmination of years of study, hard work and dedication. Students must attain both clinical and academic competence in their chosen field of practice to graduate and secure their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Open to pre-registration nursing and midwifery students in Scotland. This award aims to recognise those who have shown exceptional promise during their professional education and/or practice placement. Nominees for this award will deserve recognition for exceptional achievement during their studies. This could be academic performance, clinical skill, teamwork or outstanding patient care during clinical placement. 

The nominee must be a student nurse or student midwife studying in Scotland at the time of nomination.

The nominee should clearly demonstrate:

• that they have made significant difference and embodied the best of nursing in their chosen field during their studies
• exceptional achievement during their years of study
• the use of a credible evidence base and/or developing an evidence base to underpin the work for which they are being nominated
• a commitment and passion for the nursing or midwifery profession.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards, please get in touch by emailing scotlandnurseawards@rcn.org.uk

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Nursing Student at University West of Scotland

Described as an innovative student nurse, Fionnadh identified a gap in patient experience during her placement in NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Day Services Unit, observing that patients often arrived late, lost, and anxious, which negatively impacted both them and surgical schedules. Realising this could be improved, she used her academic learning to bridge theory and practice, proposing the creation of an educational video to guide and reassure patients. With the support of her university and placement supervisors, she collaborated with a university videographer to produce a 5-minute video aimed at reducing anxiety, improving patient resilience, and streamlining the care pathway. The video is now being considered for wider promotion via NHS digital platforms and social media. Fionnadh’s leadership in this project demonstrates her proactive mindset, commitment to patient care, and the value of student-led initiatives supported by strong mentorship.

Former Student at University of Dundee
(Now working as a newly qualified Community Staff Nurse in Forfar)

Grant, a newly qualified Community Nurse at Academy Medical Centre, Forfar, is celebrated for his extraordinary resilience, compassion, and commitment. He made a bold career change to pursue nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic, while caring for his disabled parents. As a student, Grant stood out for his academic excellence, and dedication in clinical placements, leading to him securing a competitive Erasmus+ scholarship to Lithuania. He later supported other students in international exchanges. Despite profound personal losses during his studies, Grant focussed on his education and placements, receiving glowing feedback and completing his degree with merit. Grant also works on the Tayside Nurse Bank, quickly gaining recognition as skilled and compassionate nurse. He teaches wound care and compression to nursing students and has been nominated to the Area Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee. His nominator praises Grant for exemplifying courage, empathy, and excellence.

Nursing Student, The Open University

John, a nursing student and Senior Care Assistant at The Manor Care Home in Edinburgh, has been praised for his exceptional dedication, compassion, and initiative in improving the lives of residents with dementia. Despite his demanding schedule in university and placements, he actively enhances resident care and volunteered as the home's Dementia Champion to make a broader impact. John has introduced simple yet transformative changes to promote engagement, connection, and reduce distress behaviours. He consistently goes above and beyond, often working during his spare time to implement these initiatives. He also created a "Remembrance Photo Album" for deceased residents, helping staff process grief and providing comfort to families. The practice is now a standard part of care home culture. Beloved by colleagues for his helpfulness and team spirit, John contributes beyond his role, embodying the values of compassionate, person-centred dementia care.

Former Nursing Student
Robert Gordon University

Throughout her studies, Chole aimed to support her nursing student colleagues and the future nursing workforce through various platforms such as a nursing podcast, a nursing blog, and a new project called SUNN (Support and Understanding for Neurodivergent Nurses). A neurodivergent student nurse herself, Chloe challenged discrimination and misunderstanding faced by neurodivergent nurses in practice, founding SUNN to provide support and understanding for neurodivergent nurses. The initiative aims to improve the nursing profession by creating a more inclusive environment and enhancing patient care. She plans to disseminate her initiative through her podcast and blog, aiming to bring about meaningful change in the nursing profession. Her nominators credit the support she provided in helping them to overcome many challenges with their learning and wellbeing.

Former Student (Now working as Staff Nurse), The Open University

Described by her practice assessor as an inspirational role model, Lois studies nursing on her home island of Shetland through the Open University. She was inspired to become a nurse after working as a health care support worker. Showing initiative from the outset, when her assessor suggested learning atrial fibrillation on her next shift, she turned up having prepared a research piece detailing not only the workings and electrical activity of the heart but how to read an ECG. She was nominated for the Student Leadership Programme run by the Council of Deans, and now regularly supports other students virtually to change mind sets from ‘What if I fall?’ to ‘What if I fly?’. With a keen interest in neurology and recognising the limitations of opportunities on a small island, Lois applied for funding to travel to Glasgow for a placement and has already brought back her learning to her rural setting. Lois joined her NHS board Chief Executive to present a livestream on student nursing in remote and rural areas to encourage others to take up nursing as a career and has been supporting colleagues through her role on the Nurse Workforce Wellbeing Group of NES. Her aim is to connect students and create support hubs which look after both academic and emotional needs. Back on the ward, Lois is championing patient movement to reduce lengthy hospital stays and also recently produced a toolkit on respiratory care which is already being applauded as a valuable teaching resource for the whole team.