The University of Nottingham’s School of Health Sciences has won its biggest ever number of awards at the Nursing Times Student Nurse Awards.

The School won Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration), and three of its students won in individual categories at an awards ceremony run by the Nursing Times at the London Hilton last night.

Head of School, Professor Patrick Callaghan, said: “I’m immensely proud, but not surprised, that our outstanding staff and students have been recognised by these nationally significant awards. They are a credit to the School, the University and the city of Nottingham.”

Announcing the University as ‘Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration)’, the judges said: “One student told us that The University of Nottingham ‘promotes and instils good practice into its students and works to develop them into kind, caring and compassionate nurses.’ Another student said ‘the University provides an exceptional standard of education, with lecturers that always give you support. Their standard of teaching is exemplary’.”

MSc Advanced Nursing student Aquiline Chivinge won the Learner of the Year: Post-registration. The judges said: “Aquiline talked enthusiastically about the projects she has been involved in. She showed great leadership and has achieved a great deal.” Aquiline added: “Winning the award encourages me to move forward with my dreams of implementing change in practice and perhaps even undertaking PhD study. I had such a wonderful time on the course and learned so much in terms of theoretical knowledge and skills to apply to practice. I fully encourage fellow nurses to undertake PG study.”

Final year BSc Nursing student Craig Bell won the Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities. Craig said: “Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities is a true honour. I feel this demonstrates what any person can achieve once they set their mind on their goals and strive to push themselves forward in their studies. The teaching staff are exceptional in their support and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have helped me to achieve.”

Jodie Shaw, a final year Adult BSc Nursing student, won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs after showing ‘a commitment to improving the student experience with very real, enjoyable examples.’ Jodie said: “This award shows what can be achieved when you feel passionately about improving the experiences of others. I am grateful that my contributions have positively impacted others. It is testimony to the school for their willingness to encourage and engage with students to make a difference to the student experience.”

Jenni Middleton, Editor, Nursing Times, said: “If you are training to be a nurse or are already a nurse, you are a pretty exceptional person. It is an incredibly tough job. It is an amazingly rewarding profession. And it takes someone incredibly special to do it. It takes skill, it takes knowledge, it takes hard work, it takes dedication, and it takes commitment to be a nurse. At Nursing Times, we want to support nurses to be the best they can be. Our Nursing Times Awards winners and Student Nursing Times Awards winners are role models of what hard work, commitment and talent can see you achieve.”

Now in its 5th year, the 2016 event saw a record number of entries, with 163 finalists shortlisted and 17 winners.