Keele University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery has been shortlisted for Nurse Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration) in the prestigious Students Nursing Times Awards 2019.

Lauren Thomson, a student from Keele’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, has also been shortlisted for an award for Student Nurse of the Year (Children).

The awards are presented to institutions that offer an educational environment that nurtures and develops the talent of student nurses and midwives and their academic achievements, practical skills and interpersonal and communication qualities.

Dr Patricia Owen, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “I am so proud and delighted to be nominated for the Education Provider of the Year in the Student Nursing Times Awards 2019. The strength of the School is the way our staff, students, clinical partners and stakeholders work together to provide an excellent and caring School in which we can all learn together.”

Clare Corness-Parr, Director of Undergraduate Programmes within the School, said: “I am delighted that the nursing team has been nominated in these prestigious awards, in the category of pre-registration nursing placement provider of the year. These are the 'Oscars for nursing' and so we are thrilled to have been shortlisted. All our metrics at Keele in relation to the delivery of our pre-registration nursing programmes have been really positive which is down to the innovation, hard work and motivation of all our nursing team, students and practice partners.

“There is so much good work that is done to enhance our students’ experience so having an opportunity to share this on a national platform is a great accolade.”

Keele University children’s nursing student Lauren said: “When I was nominated it was really amazing. I got an email from the Nursing Times to say that I had been shortlisted for an interview. It felt quite overwhelming as I wasn't expecting it, but to have this achievement and to be recognised is lovely. I am really excited about what's coming up and getting to this point alone is quite a big achievement. Keele is a great place to study, it has a really good community and the lecturers and mentors are very supportive.”

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on April 26.