Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominations for this award are closed and will reopen in Spring 2025.

This award recognises an exceptional Registered Nurse who has made a career-long contribution to nursing practice, resulting in a legacy of sustainably improved outcomes for individuals, communities, and the wider population. This person will also have made a significant contribution to the development of nursing as a profession that is valued by society.  Nominees for this award will be exemplary Registered Nurses, who have earned recognition from, and the respect of, their peers and will be acknowledged as having reached the pinnacle of their profession.

About the award: This award aims to recognise a truly exceptional Registered Nurse who is recognised as providing a lasting contribution to the nursing profession.

Who can be nominated?

Registered Nurses who are:

• Working at any level within health and social settings (including, primary, community, care homes, other independent health and social care sectors, local authorities, and third sector) education, or management settings within Wales.
• Nominees must fulfil the criteria of the NMC registration at the time of nomination. 

Criteria

• A nurse who has significantly improved patient care within their area of practice.
• Recognised as having sustained accomplishments that have significantly advanced the status of nursing at a local, national, or international level.
• Able to demonstrate a track record of progressive leadership, and will have inspired the advancement of nursing practice.
• Recognised as being an expert in their field, having delivered measurable improvements in the quality of care.
• Respected for the contribution that they have made to advancing the nursing profession through mentoring, supporting, and influencing the career development of other nurses and other health care practitioners.
• Able to demonstrate that their work is commensurate with national policy and strategy within health and social care.
• Through effective leadership can demonstrate a positive contribution to an innovative development that has made a difference to people receiving services.
• Use of a credible evidence-base and / or developing an evidence base to under pin their work for the project for which they are being nominated.
• Able to demonstrate a safe governance framework for the service or innovation being described for which they are being nominated.
• Able to clearly demonstrate the benefits the work has had for patients/ clients, families, communities, the wider population and colleagues.
• Through service evaluation, and / or other means, can demonstrate a positive impact.
• Show commitment to and passion for the nursing profession, going the “extra mile” demonstrating a “can do” positive attitude.

Please note that for the Lifetime Achievement Award shortlisted candidates will not be required to attend an interview

What makes a winning entry? - top tips to make you nomination stand out from the crowd!

Please read the nomination guidance note before beginning your submission. We have created some examples of excellent nominations to give you an understanding of the detail needed to make your nomination shine. You can also watch our guidance video 'Writing the perfect nomination for RCN Wales Nurse of the Year' for some top tips for making sure your nomination wows the judging panel.

Please remember to follow these key points:

• Tell us why you are nominating this person. A minimum of 300 words will be requested to explain your nomination, up to a 500-word limit for your submission. The more detailed you are the better so make full use of the word count given to you!
• Start with their success: What’s the headline? What are you proud of? Start with the attention-grabbing success to hook the judges immediately
• When writing your 500 words, please refer to the award criteria for the category you are nominating for and hit each point mentioned by providing solid evidence. that way, you’ll increase your chances of your nomination being shortlisted!
• Please tell us specifically how your nominee has gone over and above the requirements of their role, and/or how they have made significant contributions to their field of work.
• Lastly but not least, check your spelling and grammar! Professionalism and care are equally as important in your nominations! Spell out any acronyms to be as clear to the judges as possible, don’t make any assumptions that they know what you’re talking about!

We also encourage patient nominations; we want to hear about how your experience of excellent nursing care has touched your lives. This could be yourself, a family member or someone who is making a difference in your local community!  Contact RCN Wales if you would like help in choosing a category to nominate. NurseoftheYearAwards@rcn.org.uk

Diversity in nominees is encouraged to reflect the workforce in Wales across all areas of nursing; Independent Health and Social Care Sector, Third Sector, NHS, or Local Authority.