Research, Innovation and Digitalisation in Nursing Award

           Nominations for this award are now closed.
                   Shortlisting and interviews for 2024 have been completed. 
                                         The winner and runner up of this category will be announced at the award ceremony on Thursday 21 November 2024.

Nursing research, development and innovation provides the evidence on which nursing and midwifery practice is based and contributes to the continued development of nursing knowledge. Nursing research spans all age ranges and across the health spectrum from early years, to enhancing wellbeing and to end of life care.

Innovation and digital transformation are essential components of modern nursing to stimulate the quality of care for people in ways that promote a values-based approach, that consider patient-centred care and consider the wider aspects of cost-effectiveness, improvements in health and care, and creating systems and services that are more accessible and sustainable. 

About the award: This award aims to recognise and reward quality in nursing and midwifery research. This may be of a preliminary nature e.g. pilot studies, clinical audit or service innovations but must demonstrate benefit. It recognises nurses and midwives who have improved the care of people through evidence-based innovations to deliver and / or influence change. Nominators should provide a clear narrative explaining why and how the research or transformation was developed or implemented and how this change has improved the patient experience and outcomes of care.

WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?

Nurses registered on all parts of the NMC register who are:

·       Working at any level within a clinical role or managing clinical services within Wales.

·       Engaged in research, clinical audit or service innovation within any health care, social care or research environment.

• Practising in any sector for example: Independent Health and Social Care, Third Sector, NHS or Local Authority.
• Diversity in nominees is encouraged to reflect today’s workforce in Wales.

CRITERIA

·      Able to demonstrate that their work is commensurate with national policy and strategy within health and social care.

·       Demonstrates outstanding contribution to, or application of, research and development, clinical audit, service innovation or digitalisation.

·      Able to demonstrate a positive contribution to an innovative development that has made a tangible difference to people receiving care.

·       Promotes an evidence-based approach to innovation within their sphere of practice.

·       Shows an active engagement in dissemination of research through presentations, publications or other means of dissemination, or have documented contributions of research, research and development, clinical audit or service innovation within the national context of Wales.

·      Able to demonstrate a safe governance framework for the research, service or innovation being described for which they are being nominated.

·       Evidence of leadership in strengthening the profile of nursing and midwifery research.

·       Through service evaluation, patient involvement and / or other means, able to demonstrate a positive impact to those in their care.

·       Clear commitment to and passion for the nursing profession, going the “extra mile” demonstrating a “can do” positive attitude.

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.