BAME nurses receive recognition at RCN London’s Rising Star Awards

Black, Asian and minority ethnic nurses won awards for excellence in patient care, innovation and leadership at RCN London’s Rising Star Awards

Nurses from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds in London have won recognition for their excellence in patient care, innovation and leadership.

In total, 24 nurses were recognised by RCN London’s Rising Star Awards, part of the branch’s celebrations for Black History Month.

Overcoming challenges faced by BAME nurses

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust senior clinical educator Mina Long-John was one of the winners.

She said working during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past six months has been challenging, ‘especially for nursing staff from BAME backgrounds’.

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‘It is a privilege to win because this shows that the challenges my BAME colleagues and I have overcome have not gone unnoticed.

‘I hope these awards will bring us a step closer to a future in which no group of patients or staff goes unheard.’

Winner led by example during pandemic

Ms Long-John was nominated by her trust’s lead nurse in critical care Clare Leon Villapalos.

Ms Villapalos said Ms Long-John provided ‘essential, meaningful clinical leadership’ to staff during the pandemic.

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‘At times we were concerned that some BAME nursing staff were afraid and they might be at more risk, but Mina was absolutely crucial in providing sound education, listening to people’s fears and leading by example in the clinical setting,’ said Ms Villapalos.

Promoting voices in the BAME nursing community

The awards also recognised the winners for giving a voice to staff and patients as well as for showing compassion.

The winners work across a range of settings including hospitals and in the community.

Congratulating them, RCN regional director for London Lisa Elliott said the winners of the Rising Star Awards represent nursing care at its best.

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‘However, we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that there is still a huge amount of work to do to ensure our nursing colleagues from BAME backgrounds have the same opportunities as others,’ she said.

‘RCN London is committed to taking a leading role in promoting the voice of the BAME nursing community in the capital and challenging employers where poor practice exists.’

Find out more

RCN London announces BAME Rising Stars of 2020

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