This is the list of nursing staff qualified less than 2 years, who were nominated for having shown outstanding team work, personal development and promise.
Click on the names to display/hide the nomination text
Elise Bywater
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
I am pleased to nominate Elsie for Junior Nurse of the Year. Although newly qualified for only one month, Elsie has demonstrated remarkable professionalism, confidence, and dedication in her nursing practice.
Elsie is an exceptional advocate for the children and families under her care, consistently ensuring that their needs and concerns are recognised and addressed with compassion and respect. Her warm and approachable manner fosters trust and reassurance among patients, families, and colleagues alike.
From the outset, Elsie has actively sought opportunities for continuous learning and self-improvement. She is proactive in asking pertinent questions and thoughtfully applies new knowledge to enhance her clinical practice. This commitment to professional development evidences her determination to deliver the highest standard of care.
Moreover, Elsie has exhibited strong potential in early leadership and management skills. She integrates effectively within the multidisciplinary team, contributing positively to collaborative care delivery and enhancing team dynamics through clear communication and willingness to assist.
Elsie consistently upholds the Principles of Nursing Practice, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and a person-centred approach in all aspects of her work. Her focus on delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care positions her as a promising nurse within our service.
In summary, Elsie’s dedication, enthusiasm, and emerging leadership qualities make her an outstanding candidate for Junior Nurse of the Year. I am confident she will continue to develop and excel in her nursing career.
Kiera Coath
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Kiera consistently goes above and beyond for all of her patients and their families. She is able to build a trusting and friendly rapport quickly and regardless of the situation. She has been keen to gain every learning opportunity she can to consolidate her skills as a newly qualified nurse and receives positive feedback from all members of the MDT for this. She is an incredible asset to our team and fitted in to our team from day one. She is able to manage our large patient workloads, even when acuity is high. Kiera uses the four pillars of nursing practice to ensure a safe and effective journey throughout the emergency department from triage to discharge or admission – something which is greatly appreciated by the families in her care.
Kiera has made such an impressive start to her nursing career, and it’s been a real privilege to watch her grow into the role. From the very beginning, she has brought compassion, enthusiasm, and laughter to every shift — all of which make her a huge asset to the paediatric team.
She is always willing to learn, ask questions, and get involved. Kiera approaches every situation with kindness and patience, no matter how busy or challenging things get.
One of Kiera’s key strengths is her clinical awareness. She is developing an excellent ability to recognise when a child is becoming unwell and acts appropriately to escalate care. She’s not afraid to speak up and ask questions, and she always puts her patients first.
She’s also reliable and thoughtfut. Her positive attitude and willingness to help do not go unnoticed, and she contributes so much to the smooth running of the ward, even in high-pressure moments.
On a personal note, it’s been such a joy to work alongside Kiera. She’s kind, thoughtful, and easy to talk to — and I’ve really valued the friendship and support she’s shown. Watching her grow in confidence has been genuinely rewarding, and I know she’s going to go far.
Kiera displays the principles of nursing practice every day
Kiera joined the Emergency Department as an NQN from another trust only a year ago, but you would never know she’s new. From her very first shift, she has thrown herself wholeheartedly into the team, bringing warmth, enthusiasm, and a calm professionalism that instantly puts both colleagues and patients at ease.
Kiera has quickly become a valued and trusted member of the department. Her clinical knowledge and critical thinking are far beyond her experience level, and she approaches every patient with compassion, patience, and confidence. She is the kind of nurse every department and patient hopes for, clever, calm under pressure, and always ready to lend a hand or a smile when it’s needed most.
Despite joining a busy and demanding department, Kiera has excelled herself. She embraces every learning opportunity, asks thoughtful questions, and delivers outstanding care with genuine kindness. Her adaptability and positive attitude have helped her flourish in her new role and inspired those around her.
Kiera is loved by her colleagues and her patients. She embodies the values of Derriford Hospital and she makes a difference every single day.
For her professionalism, intelligence, and the warmth she brings to both patients and staff, Kiera truly deserves to be recognised as Junior Nurse of the Year.
Kiera consistently demonstrates exceptional advocacy for the children and families, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs always prioritised. She provides compassionate, family-centred care that makes a lasting difference to those she supports. Kiera actively seeks learning opportunities and applies new skills and knowledge to improve her practice. Her reflective approach and enthusiasm for self-improvement highlight her commitment to delivering the highest standard of care. Kiera shows outstanding potential as an emerging leader, taking initiative, supporting colleagues, and contributing positively to team morale. She is a shining example of a compassionate, capable, and forward-thinking nurse, and a deserving nominee.
Kiera,
You are incredible!
Since starting in Paeds ED you have become a strong, resilient, confident and highly skilled nurse who has learnt so much in such a short space of time. It is inspiring how well you have fitted in to our MDT and always help those around you.
You provide excellent advocacy to your patients and consistently provide compassionate care to all children and families which is appreciated by so many.
You have achieved so much the last year, you should be proud of yourself!
Thank you for all you do.
Chloe Crean
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Chloe is an exceptional junior nurse whose compassion, professionalism, and commitment to high-quality care make her a standout member of the High Dependency team. Chloe is new to the HDU team but has learnt fast and consistently demonstrates excellent clinical judgment, attention to detail, and a calm, reassuring manner. She delivers care with skill and compassion, ensuring that each child and their family feels safe, informed, and supported throughout their stay.
Chloe is an outstanding team player who embodies the true spirit of nursing. Her positive attitude and willingness to learn make her a role model among her peers and is committed to continuous learning and professional development within critical care. Chloe embraces new challenges, and demonstrates an eagerness to expand her skills to provide the best possible care she can for her patients. Chloe has already made a lasting impact on her patients, her colleagues, and the wider service, and she is a most deserving recipient of the Junior Nurse of the Year award
Leah Dart
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Leah is a thoughtful, kind, and enthusiastic member of the paediatric team who is always eager to learn and contribute. She has shown remarkable initiative by taking on increased responsibility within HDU and consistently seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and clinical skills. She takes a proactive role in patient management, often engaging with the medical team during new admissions to better understand each case and provide the highest standard of care.
Her communication with patients and families is truly exceptional. Leah has a natural ability to connect with children, helping them feel safe and comfortable even in stressful circumstances. Families regularly comment on her warmth, empathy, and professionalism, which bring reassurance and positivity to their hospital experience. She listens attentively, explains clearly, and advocates passionately for her patients’ needs.
Leah is calm and dependable in emergencies, taking on tasks confidently and supporting those around her without hesitation. She’s quick to recognise clinical concerns and is always willing to learn from unfamiliar situations. Her supportive approach extends beyond her patients — she often helps new doctors and nurses find their feet and works collaboratively to maintain a positive team spirit. And to be honest, we all just love working with Leah.
Molly Dundas
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Molly is a thoughtful, kind and empathetic nurse who considers the needs of each patient under her care. She flags up concerns to her nursing seniors and the medical team and has developed strong working relationships within the department. She is always keen to learn and will take the time to actively seek out new knowledge about conditions or management, either off her own back or through discussions with the nursing or medical team. She is great fun to work with and is an asset to level 12.
Molly joined the CAU team as part of her rotation period it has been lovely to watch her progress. During her time on CAU she has grown in confidence with her triage skills, pushing herself when gaining new knowledge and skills and has adapted to the CAU working ways.
Molly communicates well with the patients and their families and is always willing to go that extra mile for the families. She communicates well with all members of the multi-disciplinary teams, advocating for her patients and ensuring family centred care is at the fore front of her nursing care.
It has been a pleasure working with Molly 🙂
Bethan Evans
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Bethan always stands up for her patients. She’s quick to notice when something needs to be done and gets on with it without fuss. She’s proactive, dependable, and makes sure her patients get what they need. Working with her makes the team stronger, and she has the makings of a great leader.
Hannah Ford
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Hannah is an exceptional junior nurse who has quickly established herself as a valued member of the team. Despite being relatively new to the ward, she has settled in seamlessly and demonstrates a calm, thoughtful, and compassionate approach to every aspect of her work. Her gentle, kind, and soft-spoken manner puts patients, families, and colleagues at ease, creating a reassuring and positive environment on the ward. Hannah is a strong advocate for the children and families in her care, consistently prioritising their needs and wellbeing. She communicates clearly and empathetically, ensuring families feel listened to and supported throughout their experience. Her attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and dedication to patient-centred care make her a reliable and trusted member of the team. She is proactive in seeking opportunities to learn and develop her clinical skills, demonstrating the ability to incorporate new knowledge and approaches into her practice. Her commitment to self-improvement is matched by her growing leadership potential; she shows early signs of excellent organisational and management skills and takes responsibility confidently within her role. Hannah works exceptionally well within the multidisciplinary team, enhancing collaboration and supporting colleagues to deliver safe, effective care. Her calming presence, thoughtful approach, and genuine compassion make her not only an outstanding junior nurse but also a shining example of the values and qualities that Junior Nurse of the Year recognises.
Hannah is very trustworthy and cares for patients in a very caring and thoughtful way. Hannah have been a great addition to bramble team and always love working with her
Kayleigh Gahagan
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Kayleigh is an exceptional newly qualified nurse who always places the needs of children and their families at the centre of her practice. She approaches every patient with empathy, calmness, and genuine compassion, ensuring that families feel listened to, reassured, and supported. Her ability to advocate for her patients, even in busy or challenging situations, reflects her strong professional values and her deep commitment to providing the best possible care.
Alice Greaves
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Alice is an absolutely fantastic nurse. She always strives to do her best for her patients, placing their care at the very centre of her priorities. I have always been impressed with Alice’s deep knowledge of the patients she looks after and her efficiency. She looks after acutely sick patients very well and escalates when necessary. An example that comes to mind is when she was looking after two poorly 2 week old twins simultaneously overnight and was vital in assisting with investigations, infusions and observations that were required to look after these babies. As an SHO working in Paediatrics, I always felt that Alice showed great teamwork with the medical team and all other healthcare professionals. Most importantly, she is an exceptional advocate for her patients and their families and will ensure their concerns are heard and addressed accordingly. Thank you for all your hard work Alice!
Niamh Guppy
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Niamh is an outstanding junior nurse, and it’s hard to believe she has only be qualified a couple of years. She is a superb colleague to work with, reassuring to families, supportive of students, and demonstrates great no-nonsence leadership skills. When things are busy she remains calm, focused and confident. Niamh understands and demonstrates the importance of advocacy and empathy for her patients, and ensures the team stay focused on their needs.
Niamh is such a fantastic asset to bramble ward. Niamh is cool, calm, collected and works with a level head and maturity beyond her years and experience.
Niamh is multi skilled having been a hca prior to doing her nurse training, because of this she has a broad set of skills that many nurses do not. This enables her to work and perform to a level that is well beyond her years of being qualified.
Niamh can work competently in all areas of bramble to a high standard .
She is kind, caring and professional.
She is a fierce advocate for her patients and will always seek the best care and work within their best interests. Niamh seeks support appropriately to help to facilitate this.
Niamh strives to improve herself and her practice by ensuring she undertakes additional training to develop her skills to work in all areas and care for all children.
She excels in our paediatric assessment unit and has a great manner and rappor with mental health patients. Niamh has shown a keen interest in hdu and oncology and has put herself forward for additional training in these areas. I know she will be fabulous in both, already showing great promise before undertaking this.
Niamh has already shown fantastic management and leadership potential. As previously mentioned she works well beyond her years of qualified experience and naturally takes the initiative to lead and support others. She enjoys teaching and is always happy to have students and support newly qualified or new members of staff.
I believe If Niamh wished to she would make an incredible band 6.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the children and young people you care for and the care you give to our team. You are a star!
Saranya Harrison
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Carrie Heywood
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Caring and supportive to all
Yasmin Hookway
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Yasmin shows exceptional dedication to advocating for the children and families in her care. She always puts their needs first, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and respected.
From the start, Yasmin is always looking for learning opportunities and has embraced every chance to improve her skills. What’s impressive is how quickly she applies new knowledge to her practice, growing in confidence and competence each day.
She has also demonstrated early leadership potential, showing great promise in managing tasks and supporting others on the team. Yasmin works seamlessly within the multidisciplinary team, helping to create a positive and effective environment for delivering care.
Yasmin nursing Principles of Nursing Practice in everything she does — showing compassion, professionalism, and a strong commitment to safe, patient-centred care.
Yasmin has always smashed working in the department, Her kindness, determination, and genuine care inspire everyone around her, including me. She is not only a talented nurse but also a wonderful colleague and friend, deeply grateful for you
I’d like to nominate Yasmin for a PAFTA for her outstanding dedication, professionalism, and compassion. Despite being a junior nurse, she consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her role. She’s stepped up as nurse in charge on several occasions, showing remarkable leadership, confidence, and calm under pressure, especially in a busy ED dept.
She is a true advocate for her patients, always ensuring their voices are heard and that they receive the best possible care. Her commitment to doing what’s right for patients and the team never wavers, even through hard personal experiences.
Yasmin is also an exceptional supervisor, she’s patient, approachable, and always willing to share her knowledge and support students and new staff. Her kindness, teamwork, and positive attitude make her an incredible role model and an invaluable member of the team.
She truly embodies what it means to be an excellent nurse and deserves recognition for everything she does.
Faith Kightley
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Faith is always a pleasure to work with. She has settled into the team well and is very confident in her role already. She advocates for patients and their families and is very thorough in the care that she provides. Her great sense of humour makes working with her a great day.
Alex Lamerton
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Alex is a proactive junior nurse who consistently ensures that her patients receive the care and attention they need. She anticipates needs, supports families and approaches her work with dedication and enthusiasm. Her commitment to providing excellent care makes her a very deserving candidate for Junior Nurse of the Year.
Hannah Lane
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Hannah has made a wonderful start to her nursing career, and it’s been a joy to watch her grow and develop into her new role. She has embraced every challenge with determination, kindness, and a genuine care for her patients that shines through in everything she does.
Though still early in her career, Hannah has shown great confidence and clinical awareness, quickly adapting to the demands of the job while remaining calm and compassionate. She listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, and is always eager to learn and improve.
I’m excited to see how she continues to build her skills and confidence. With her strong work ethic and caring nature, Hannah is able to provide so much to the patients and our team. It’s a privilege to work along side her journey and watch her become an amazing nurse.
Hannah I such a warm kind hearted soul and we value her so much in the team.
Hannah,
You have made so much progress since qualifying in your clinical skills, knowledge and confidence which has been a pleasure to witness. You should be so proud of yourself!
You provide fantastic care to all the children that come into Paeds ED, and we are lucky to have you within our multidisciplinary team.
You are an excellent nurse and show eagerness to learn and develop your nursing practice.
Well done for all your achievements 🙂
Lily Martin
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals
Lily is a brilliant nurse and such an asset to Polkerris Ward. She has a fantastic attitude to nursing, quietly and calmly going about her shifts and providing excellent care with minimal drama. She communicates well with children and their families and will always seek help from the senior team if there is any aspect of care she is uncertain of. Lily is a team player, a pleasure to work with and I hope she stays with us for a long time yet. Thank you Lily!
Elise May
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Elise consistently demonstrates outstanding advocacy. She ensures every child’s and parent’s voice is heard. She makes sure the parents are always fully informed about any decisions regarding their child and makes them feel supported during their stay. Families frequently comment on how amazing and how they feel so supported and listened to throughout their journey in the emergency department.
Although Elise has only been qualified for a year, she has had so much professional growth. She is consistently pro active , always seeking learning opportunities.
Elise demonstrates natural leadership qualities. She supports everyone, remains calm in distressing situations and takes initiative in busy clinical situations. She prioritises care, is able to delegate appropriately, whilst also maintaining high level of standards. Elise is trusted by both peers and senior staff.
She communicates outstandingly , and is an integral part of the multi disciplinary team. She is very team centred , ensuring everyone is listened too and helping out wherever she can.
Elise displays and develops the principles of nursing practice. This is through her care, accountability and professionalism. She always ensures safety and dignity is a priority and always provides holistic care. Her actions reflect the core values of nursing. She is an amazing example of what a nurse means.
Elise has shown exceptional skill in recognising when a child is unwell and taking swift, appropriate action. Her instincts and clinical judgement are incredibly strong, and she consistently advocates for her patients with confidence and care.
Elise has been with us since she was a third-year student, and she has always taken every learning opportunity that came her way. Additionally, she has actively sought out further chances to grow and develop. I’ve had the pleasure of watching her grow into such a competent and knowledgeable nurse, who remains keen to keep learning. It has truly been a privilege to be part of her journey — both as a student and now as a newly qualified nurse — and I’m excited to see her continue to grow.
Elise works really well within the MDT and consistently shows leadership and advocacy skills for her patients. When I think about Elise and everything she’s achieved so far, I feel incredibly proud of her progress. Elise has shown real strength in her advocacy skills — she is confident in speaking up for her patients and ensuring their needs are prioritised, even in busy or high-pressure situations. Her ability to advocate clearly and respectfully, whether it’s to escalate concerns or highlight a child’s needs, shows a maturity beyond her years and a deep commitment to delivering safe, compassionate care.
In addition to Elise’s nursing ability – she continually cares for our nursing team, she is always thinking about others in the team and there mental health. She always ensures the teams mental health cup is being taken care of. We appreactate you.
Elise is an invaluable part of our team, and I look forward to seeing her continued growth and contributions in the future.
Elise has been an absolutely superb addition to the Derriford Paediatric ED Team. She has excellent clinical skills and her ability to spot a sick child has already been a huge part of the team saving lives. She is keen to learn new clinical skills and has completed the preceptorship programme. She advocates for her patients and always has time for all of the children and parents, nothing is too much trouble for her. She has, using her own initiative made additional posters to the department highlighting through the school holidays which restaurants and food chains were offering children free meals. She has made the children word searches, spot the difference puzzles to keep them occupied in the waiting area and these have rotated with seasonal themes. She has fitted into the team very easily and is a very popular member. She has an enormous heart and is always checking on the wellbeing of the whole team and is willing and able to listen to anyone’s problems. She has been a brilliant supervisor to the nursing students we have had and has been thorough in her teaching of them and has not been afraid to highlight those who need some additional support. She is a joy to work with and is already a superb nurse who I am sure will continue to learn and develop into an excellent example for everyone she works with. Well done Elise!
Elise is an exceptional children’s nurse who advocates tirelessly for children and families, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met with compassion and professionalism. They actively pursue learning opportunities and apply new knowledge to enhance care quality and safety. Demonstrating strong early leadership skills, Elise supports colleagues and contributes confidently to service improvements. They work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, strengthening communication and teamwork. Through their commitment to the Principles of Nursing Practice, Elise consistently delivers outstanding, family-centred care and shows exceptional potential as a future leader in children’s nursing
Elise consistently demonstrates the commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care, making her an exceptional advocate for children and their families within the Emergency Department. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every child’s voice is heard and that families feel empowered throughout their care journey. Elise actively seeks out learning opportunities and is eager to enhance her clinical knowledge and professional skills. Elise demonstrates impressive initiative and maturity for a junior nurse. Her leadership qualities are evident in the way she supports her colleagues and takes ownership of her responsibilities. Elise displayed early yet strong management potential with her calmness under pressure, and her ability to guide and inspire others with empathy and enthusiasm. Elise is a valued member of the MDT, she brings positivity and reliability which helps to create a supportive and effective working environment. In every aspect of her practice Elise embodies and develops the Principles of Nursing Practice by providing person-centred care, maintaining dignity and safety and upholding professionalism. Her dedication, compassion, and continual growth make her an outstanding role model among her peers.
Elise
Since you have started in Paediatric ED, you have become a crucial member of the multidisciplinary team. You lighten everybody’s day and always bring a smile which positively impacts those around you whether that be staff or patients.
Your nursing skills and knowledge are way above how long you have been qualified and I know that every family or child you look after receive the best care and have an advocate in their corner. Your enthusiasm and willingness is contagious and this is noticeable in you seeking out new opportunities and challenges such as new clinical skills and managing critically ill children.
You are able to raise concerns and worries for your patients in a respectful way that ensures their care is excellent which demonstrates your ongoing dedication and compassion.
You really are amazing and are a role model to so many. Thank you for all your hard work!
We appreciate you so much!
Sian Mills
Works at North Devon District Hospital
A great nurse and she sits out with a smile. A great colleague.
Sian is an exceptional junior nurse who has shown remarkable dedication, compassion, and perseverance throughout her career. Sian demonstrates unwavering commitment to providing outstanding care for children and their families. Her kindness and empathy shine through in every interaction, ensuring that each child and family feels listened to, valued, and supported.
Sian is a strong advocate for her patients, always going above and beyond to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. She provides holistic, family-centred care and consistently demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism and compassion.
Eager to learn and grow, Sian actively seeks out opportunities for development and applies new knowledge to enhance her clinical practice. Her approach allows her to adapt quickly and continually improve the quality of care she provides.
Her ability to work effectively within the multidisciplinary team enhances collaboration and ensures the best outcomes for patients.
Sian embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice, demonstrating accountability, respect, and commitment to excellence in all that she does. She is a true role model for her peers and a shining example of the compassion, resilience, and professionalism that define the nursing profession.
Eseosa Omoruyi
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Eseosa joined the CAU team this year and, although initially unsure about CAU, she has absolutely blossomed. She is hardworking, positive, and an absolute delight to work with. From day one, she has demonstrated exceptional advocacy for the children and families in her care, always ensuring they feel supported, listened to, and reassured.
She actively seeks opportunities to learn and grow, taking on new skills and knowledge and consistently applying them to her practice. Despite being new to CAU, Eseosa has shown early signs of leadership and management potential, supporting colleagues, taking initiative, and demonstrating confidence in her role. She is also fantastic at supporting student nurses, taking the time to teach, guide, and encourage them throughout their placements.
Eseosa works seamlessly within the multidisciplinary team, promoting collaboration, supporting her peers, and contributing to a positive and effective working environment. Shifts are always fun when she is around, and her laugh is infectious, helping to boost team morale even during the busiest times. She consistently demonstrates the Principles of Nursing Practice, provides compassionate, competent, and patient-centred care, and truly encompasses the trust’s values in everything she does.
In a short time, Eseosa has become a highly valued member of the team, showing professionalism, dedication, and enthusiasm. Her positivity, hard work, natural ability to inspire those around her, make her highly deserving of this nomination.
Hope palmer
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Hope has been a qualified nurse for a year, every day hope comes in to work with a smile on her face and continues to learn and develop, she is an amazing member of the team and is a very thorough nurse who shows the upmost empathy to all her patients and their families.
Hope goes above and beyond to ensure every patient on the ward feels comfortable and understands everything going on.
It has been noted by several patients and families how hope has positively impacted their hospital experience.
Hope always puts her self forward for learning opportunities and shows she actively wants to develop and learn
Hope is an amazing nurse and deserves the recognition by getting this award
Jaclyn Pile
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Jaclyn has recently graduated, having worked her way up from HCA to AP and now RN. Her journey has been inspirational & she has worked so hard to get where she is today. She an absolute asset to the Louisa Cary Team
Stephanie Radford
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Steph always comes to work with a smile and a positive attitude, she has an obvious passion for her job. She is a valued member of the team and is extremely approachable for both staff and families
Steph is a true pleasure to work with! she is contentious, compassionate and incredibly kind to everyone, but especially the infants and families that she cares for.
She makes families feel welcome and at ease in what is likely a very stressful time and she consistently advocates for the infants in her care on behalf of parents when they are not present.
Steph is a joy to teach, she is enthusiastic and engaging and her true passion and enjoyment for her job and neonatal care as a whole is outwardly evident.
Whilst Steph is still relatively new to the UHP NICU team, she has made a resounding impress, she is genuinely kind, with a positive outlook and her enthusiasm is infectious with newer team members and students. She would undoubtably make a wonderful leader as she progresses within her neonatal career.
Steph works exceptionally well within the MDT, her communication skills are excellent, she works professionally and escalates concerns appropriately and in a timely manner. Her bubbly personality means she is approachable to her peers and promotes others to work to best professional practice.
Overall Steph is outstanding as a Junior Nurse! She makes a significant difference to the infants and families that she cares for and greatly improves my day whenever I have the pleasure to work with her.
Raghda Rakkard
Works at North Devon District Hospital
Raghda is such a lovely nurse. She made the huge leap to move from Tunisia to work with us and she’s adapted amazingly. She is kind, caring and compassionate and takes all learning in her stride. Coming from an oncology background she brings a wealth of knowledge in this area and has adapted to general paediatrics incredibly well. She advocates for our patients and their families and has a warm and approachable nature. She is keen to challenge herself and will be undertaking the HDU course soon which we know she will do amazingly at. She is a pleasure to have within our team and feel very lucky to have her.
Katie Rigler
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Katie has made an outstanding transition from Health Care Assistant (HCA) to Registered Nurse, settling into her new role with professionalism, compassion, and confidence. Her previous experience as an HCA has provided her with a strong foundation in patient care, which she has seamlessly built upon, embracing the responsibilities of a newly qualified nurse with enthusiasm and maturity.
Katie’s commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care is evident in her exceptional advocacy for the children and families she supports. She is a strong voice for their needs and consistently ensures they are treated with dignity, respect, and empathy. Her ability to connect with patients and their families makes a significant difference during challenging times.
Katie actively seeks out learning opportunities and demonstrates an eagerness for professional development. She regularly reflects on her practice, showing a remarkable ability to incorporate new knowledge and skills to enhance patient care. This commitment to self-improvement is matched by her early demonstration of leadership potential. She takes initiative on the ward, supports colleagues, and approaches challenges with a calm, solutions-focused mindset.
As a team player, Katie integrates effortlessly into the multidisciplinary team, building strong relationships with colleagues and contributing positively to team dynamics.
Katie’s dedication, skill, and compassion make her a truly deserving nominee for Junior Nurse of the Year. She shows all the qualities of a future leader in nursing, and her early career progress is a testament to her hard work and passion.
Alishia Roberts
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Alishia demonstrates wonderful compassion and dedication to her job. Her patients are well looked after and often have wonderful things to say about their care.
She is not shy to raise concerns but also keen to learn and always ask “why” if a plan is changing, so that she could be ready for the next patient with a similar problem.
She integrates very well into the team and is thoughtful regarding workload of others.
She works hard to make sure that the team is cohesive and gets along and makes teamwork one of her priorities. Her communication skills with her patients are wonderful and she takes time to explain things and next steps diligently. She’s made a great start to her career.
Faith Sargeant
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Faith is a delight to work with. She is genuinely one of the brightest spots on any shift. Her positivity and warmth lift everyone around her, including the children and families she cares for. She is kind, patient, and steady even on difficult days. She has real potential and shows what compassionate paediatric nursing looks like.
Shannon Saunders
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Shannon is an extremely friendly and hardworking nurse who is always lovely to work with. She shows excellent communication skills between herself, children and their families and always shows care and compassion. Shannon has also been fantastic when nursing students have been on the ward and makes them feel welcome and is happy to help their skill building and knowledge within her remit and when appropriate. Shannon treats all her colleagues with kindness and respect, and is forever offering help to her co-workers to ease their workload and help where she can.
Helen Shelley
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Helen has made a strong and positive start to her nursing career, quickly settling into her role with kindness, dedication, and a genuine commitment to providing excellent care. While she has sometimes faced self-doubt, Helen is steadily gaining confidence and showing great promise as she overcomes the challenges that come with being newly qualified. It’s important for Helen to believe in her abilities as much as others do, because she truly has so much to offer. Helen is an exceptional advocate for the children and families she cares for, consistently ensuring their needs and voices are prioritised with compassion and respect. Her kind-hearted nature shines through in every interaction, making families feel supported and understood during difficult times. This genuine empathy is one of her greatest strengths, and it’s essential she never changes from the caring soul she is.
She actively pursues opportunities for learning and development, reflecting thoughtfully on her practice and showing a clear ability to apply new skills effectively. Helen’s dedication to growth demonstrates her passion for nursing and her desire to provide the best possible care. In addition, Helen is beginning to display promising leadership qualities, showing initiative and a calm, collaborative approach within the multidisciplinary team. Her contributions strengthen team dynamics and improve patient outcomes.
Helen’s combination of kindness, growing confidence, and commitment makes her a truly deserving nominee for Junior Nurse of the Year, with a bright future ahead.
Helen has just completed her first year as a newly qualified nurse, and what a fantastic year it has been! She is a proactive, friendly, and much-loved member of the Bramble team. Helen approaches every shift with a smile, no matter how challenging the day may be. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow in confidence, develop her skills, and build her competence throughout her first year. I am so proud of all she has achieved and look forward to seeing her continue to flourish in her nursing career.
Helen has been working on Bramble ward for 1 year since qualifying and has fit in with the team so well immediately. She is a pleasure to work with, always upbeat and positive even during difficult shifts, and is constantly checking up on other nurses to see if they need any help with anything.
Helen is great with her patients, really caring and puts their needs first. She will take time to listen to concerns and make sure to reassure them and make their time in hospital as positive as possible. She also makes sure to involve, update and care for the family as a whole as well.
Helen is enthusiastic and keen to learn, competent at the skills she has learned, and always willing to expand her knowledge.
I have never heard any one say anything negative about Helen ever. She is such a genuinely nice person, and it always makes me happy to see her name on the roster when I’m on the same shift, because I know that by having her around, she will make the shift better for everyone.
It’s hard to believe that Helen is a newly qualified Registered Nurse. She approaches her workload with professionalism and maturity, and always rises to the challenges presented to her. Helen is clinically very competent and is always seeking to refine her skills or acquire new ones. She is hugely trustworthy and is highly respected among her nursing colleagues.
Helen is really kind and considerate towards the children and families in her care. She supports families to the best of her ability, striving to ensure that they feel cared for and heard. It is obvious when speaking to Helen that she is passionate about the quality of care that she delivers and that she will be a great advocate for children and families as her career progresses.
Helen joined Bramble a year ago as a newly qualified nurse. She is an absolute ray of sunshine and has taken very well to her career as a newly qualified nurse. Helen is kind, compassionate and always goes above and beyond for her patients. Despite only being here a year, she takes on complex patients and has even worked in HDU. No ask is too much for Helen, she is always happy to help her team and even when she is busy herself she will offer support to her colleagues. Helen does not shy away from learning opportunities and clearly takes pride in her self-development. Helen has shown early leadership skills by supervising students and newly qualified nurses. Families and patients always feel supported by her and praise her for the family centred care she provides.
Helen is an incredible asset to Bramble, demonstrating unwavering commitment, compassion, and professionalism in everything she does. Families adore her for her kindness, warmth, and the time she takes to listen, reassure, and support them—often staying behind after shifts to ensure they feel heard and cared for. She is an exceptional advocate for the children and families in her care, always going the extra mile to make a positive difference. Helen actively seeks out opportunities for learning and self-improvement, continually developing her skills and incorporating new knowledge into her practice. She displays fantastic potential through her emerging leadership and management abilities, supporting both her patients and colleagues with confidence and empathy. A true team player, Helen works seamlessly within the multidisciplinary team, enhancing its effectiveness through her collaboration, positivity, and proactive attitude. She consistently displays and develops the Principles of Nursing Practice, showing compassion, accountability, and dedication in all that she does. Helen’s caring nature, friendly personality, and comforting hugs make her not only a valued colleague but also a truly wonderful person to work alongside.For Helen her main priority is always the patient. is a excellent Nurse showing great empathy to her patients
Niamh Standish
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Niamh is an exceptional newly qualified nurse who has demonstrated remarkable progress and professionalism during her supernumerary phase. Despite being very new to the ward, she has quickly established herself as a compassionate and capable nurse who advocates for the children and families in her care. Niamh approaches each patient interaction with empathy, ensuring that the voices of children and their families are heard and respected in every decision-making process. She has shown great initiative in seeking out learning opportunities, demonstrating a genuine enthusiasm for professional growth and self-improvement. Her proactive attitude enables her to incorporate new knowledge and evidence-based practices into her daily work, enhancing both the quality and safety of patient care. Niamh’s ability to recognise her scope of practice while confidently asking questions and seeking guidance reflects a mature and reflective approach to nursing. Furthermore, she displays early signs of strong leadership and management potential, taking responsibility within the team, supporting her colleagues, and contributing to a positive ward culture. Niamh demonstrates forward thinking, professionalism, and a commitment to continual development, all of which highlight her potential to become an outstanding nurse leader. Her compassion, curiosity, and drive make her a role model for other newly qualified staff, and her dedication to both her patients and her profession makes her a deserving candidate for Junior Nurse of the Year.
Aimee Tomlinson
Works at Torbay & South Devon
I started working on Louisa Cary at the same time as Aimee and we very quickly became friends. Over this time I have witnessed Aimee become an incredibly skilled nurse with a vast plethora of knowledge, which is incredible considering she has only been qualified a year. Aimee’s confidence when working on the ward is astounding, she regularly reassures me on my own skills and has pushed me to trust my own knowledge and be confident in my skills when my own anxieties have held me back. Aimee started working in the high dependency unit only a few months into her career, often caring for the sickest patients on the ward, she is able to confidently manage multiple patients and escalate care appropriately and confidently. Aimee always advocates for her patients and will do whatever it takes to ensure her patients are receiving the best care possible, often liaising with doctors and other members of the MDT to ensure the patients voice is being heard. I can confidently say I have become a better nurse since meeting Aimee and she continues to inspire me and others every shift, I feel so lucky to have met Aimee and truly believe she deserves recognition for her skills and passion so early on in her career.
I would like to nominate Aimee for Junior Nurse of the Year. Aimee has quickly established themselves as an exceptional children’s nurse, demonstrating compassion, professionalism, and outstanding potential.
Aimee is a strong advocate for children and families, ensuring that each child’s voice is heard and their individual needs are met. They communicate with warmth and clarity, providing reassurance and understanding to families during what can often be stressful and emotional times.
Keen to develop both personally and professionally, Aimee actively seeks learning opportunities and integrates new knowledge into their practice. They demonstrate curiosity, reflective thinking, and the ability to translate evidence-based learning into high-quality care.
Despite being early in their career, Aimee approaches challenges calmly, prioritise effectively in a busy unit, and support colleagues with empathy and confidence.
Aimee contributes positively to team dynamics and communication, enhancing the overall effectiveness of our service. They are collaborative, respectful, and consistently focused on achieving the best outcomes for children and families.
Aimee truly embodies the Principles of Nursing Practice, upholding compassion, safety, accountability, and respect in all they do. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to continuous improvement make them an outstanding ambassador for paediatric nursing and a highly deserving candidate for Junior Nurse of the Year.
Aimee is an exceptional junior nurse who brings an energetic and positive attitude to every shift she works on. She is an great advocate for her patients and is not afraid to bring concerns to the senior nursing and medical team. She is so keen to learn and asks appropriate questions and will seek out opportunities for learning, she has goals of what she wants to do in her nursing career and is keen to learn from other colleagues to get there. She works well with the multidisciplinary team and is fun to work with and I am always pleased when I see that she is on SSPAU because I know that she will keep moral up.
Shana Vallance
Works at Torbay & South Devon
Shana is an amazing junior nurse who demonstrates all the attributes of an excellent nurse. She is an exceptional advocate for her patients and is not afraid to speak up for what she believes in or to respectfully challenge other professionals. She actively seeks learning opportunities and opportunities to self improve even if she is anxious about the task for example she was required to give an IM injection to a very distressed patient which she was nervous about, she is confident in giving IM’s but the patient was being held to stop them from moving, she could have asked someone else to do this but instead she ensured she knew the plan and that it was safe and did the task. She manages her patient load well and will escalate appropriately. She is an excellent nurse who is at the beginning of her career but demonstrates the skills and professional behavior of a senior nurse.
Blessy Varughese
Works at North Devon District Hospital
Excelenr background knowledge and clinical judgment
Very skillful and dedicates
Respects parents and kind with children
I feel assured when I see her walking in at the start of the shift
Freya Williams
Works at University Hospitals Plymouth
Freya has become a fantastic new addition to the CAU team, her compassion and love for nursing shines through. Freya always comes to work with a smile and positive attitude, which enhances our working environment.
Freya approaches every child and family with compassion, patience, and genuine understanding. She advocates sensitively and effectively, ensuring that their needs are met focusing on family centred care. Her reassuring manner and warm smile help children feel safe and supported.
Freya shows a clear commitment to expand her knowledge and enhance her clinical skills, frequently seeking feedback, and engaging with learning opportunities. She applies new knowledge confidently in practice, demonstrating her ability to learn quickly. She is proactive, dependable, and she supports colleagues willingly. She communicates effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients and their families. her knowledge, compassion, and drive to develop make her truly deserving of this nomination. It is a pleasure to work with her and I look forward to watching her progress within her career.
Rosie Woodward
Works at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Rosie is an absolute amazing paediatric nurse! Rosie advocates for her patients, and ensures they are receiving the best cares, and also supports with a swift discharge when required. Rosie at times has had challenging experiences on the ward, this has never stopped her speaking up and continuing to do her role to the best of her abilities. When working alongside Rosie she is confident in delegating duties, and taking leadership where required. Rosie has settled into Bramble perfectly, and we are incredibly lucky to have a nurse like her!
Rosie, you are FANTASTIC, and thank you for always being you.
Rosie has made an exceptional start to her career as a newly qualified nurse, settling into her role with dedication, professionalism, and a clear passion for paediatric care. Despite the natural nerves that come with transitioning into a registered role, Rosie has worked incredibly hard to build her confidence and competence, showing growth each day and quickly becoming a valued member of the team. Her commitment to delivering compassionate, child- and family-centred care is evident in everything she does. Rosie is a strong advocate for the children and families she looks after, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met with empathy and respect. Her ability to connect with families and support them through difficult moments is truly commendable. Rosie actively seeks out opportunities to learn and develop, regularly reflecting on her practice and embracing feedback. She shows a natural ability to apply new knowledge effectively and safely, which has had a clear and positive impact on the quality of care she delivers. In addition, Rosie demonstrates strong early leadership potential. She takes initiative, supports her colleagues, and remains calm and focused under pressure. These early management skills are impressive and suggest a promising future in leadership. Rosie also works exceptionally well within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to a positive team culture and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the group through her collaborative approach. Rosie’s resilience, compassion, and drive make her an outstanding nominee for Junior Nurse of the Year, and a true asset to the profession.
Rosie has joined the team and immediately shown confidence, compassion, and professionalism when caring for children. She has a natural ability to communicate with children and their families, making them feel valued and listened to. She is also a huge advocate for her patients, and goes above and beyond to make sure they are well cared for. Rosie shows confidence and professionalism and is not afraid to speak up on behalf of patients, ask questions or challenge decisions when it’s in the best interests of the child. She is an amazing team player and I have no doubt she would make an excellent future sister on the ward.
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Back to all categories
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We use the nomination text and categories as provided by those who submit the nomination.
If there are any issues with the nomination pages (errors, people placed in the wrong category or any other concerns) please email s.janoff@nhs.net
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We will use the following criteria for creating the shortlist and choosing the final winner:
Junior Nurse of the Year
1. Exceptional advocate for children and families in their care
2. Actively seeks out opportunities for learning and self-improvement, and shows ability to incorporate these into their practice.
3. Displays fantastic potential through early leadership and management skills.
4. Works well within the multidisciplinary team and enhances its effectiveness.
5. Displays and develops the Principles of Nursing Practice
PAFTAs 