The annual Student Nursing Times Awards, held virtually this year on Tuesday 27 October, bring the nursing community together to shine a light on the brightest talent making their way into the profession.

Queen's received the 'Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Pre-registration)' award, in a category that included stiff competition from eight other UK institutions.

Commenting on the award, Professor Karen McCutcheon, Director of Education in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, said:

"This recognition further validates our ethos of excellence in education for all our student nurses, as we seek to prepare them as thoroughly as possible to be confident, competent and safe practitioners and future leaders in their profession. Well done to all our staff on this recognition, which comes as a very welcome boost in what has, of course, been a challenging year."

This year’s virtual awards ceremony saw a total of 847 attendees joining in to celebrate the achievements of the 21 category winners. This year sees three significant milestones in the profession in the UK, with 2020 being the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, and the 30th year of the Nursing Times Awards.

Two students in the School of Nursing and Midwifery had also been shortlisted in the 'Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs' category (Lynsey McLaughlin), and the 'Student Nurse of the Year: Mental Health' category (Zara Baxter).

Professor Donna Fitzsimons, Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery, said:

"This national award is a testament to all the hard work and effective student engagement that is a part of what we do in Queen's School of Nursing and Midwifery. Well done to all our colleagues on this achievement and congratulations also to our fantastic students who were shortlisted for awards."

Editor of Nursing Times, Steve Ford, said:

"Congratulations to all our winners at the Student Nursing Times Awards. The future of nursing is in safe hands."