Categories and criteria

This award is for individual nurses, midwives or their teams who have developed initiatives to improve the identification and support of unpaid carers and can demonstrate their positive impact on carers’ own physical and mental health as well as improving outcomes for the person being cared for. This award enables nurses and midwives to show how they are demonstrating leadership to improve the experience of and outcomes for unpaid carers, reflecting the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan.

Who can enter?
Entries are accepted from nurses nominating themselves or their own teams or can be submitted on behalf of another nurse or nursing team. Non-nursing colleagues such as managers or consultants may also nominate their nursing colleagues for this award. Entrants do not need to be a member of the Royal College of Nursing.

How to enter:
Entries must be submitted online via the ‘enter now’ button. We highly recommend you write the body of your entry in a Word document and then cut and paste it into the online entry form to prevent work being lost.

Changing categories
Once you begin creating your entry, you will be unable to change the category you have chosen to enter. If you want to change category, you will need to delete your original entry in the dashboard and then create a new entry.

What your entry must include

1. Initiative title
   Please give your entry a title.
   (25 words)
2. Aims and reason
   Please describe the aims of the initiative. What were the reasons behind the implementation?
   (200 words)
3. Roles
   Please explain the role you/the entrant had in leading the initiative and implementation.
   (200 words)
4. Team or individual entry?
   If this entry is a team entry (either your own or another team), please double check carefully and list the full names and job titles of each team member and how they have each contributed to the entry.
5. Patient care
   Please describe how the initiative influenced provision of care, addressed carers’ own physical and mental health, and improved health outcomes for those being cared for.
   (250 words)
6. Challenges
   What were the challenges in implementing the initiative and how were they overcome?
   (200 words)
7. Evaluation
   Describe how the initiative has improved patient experience, health outcomes and nursing practice.
   (300 words)
8. Sharing best practice
   Does the nominee/team have plans to disseminate their initiative or share their innovation?
   (100 words)

You can also add up to three supporting files

• Acceptable file formats are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
• You can include case studies, evaluation reports, images, graphs – any information that will support your submission.
• The maximum file size in total is 6MB (2MB per file)

• How creative/innovative is the initiative? How much has the project contributed to the improved identification and support of carers?
• How instrumental was the entrant in setting up and leading the initiative?
• Consider the level of obstacles the entrant overcame to get the initiative up and running.
• Consider the impact the initiative has had on patient experience, health outcomes, nursing practice.
• What level of evaluation has been undertaken/is planned?
• To what extent has the nominee disseminated their initiative?
• To what extent does the nominee stand out as a nurse leader and ambassador for the profession?

Support with your entry

Watch the free webinars from 2021 for guidance with entry nomination.

This award recognises clinical research nurses and nursing teams who deliver vital cancer research trials and celebrates their impact on patient care and research outcomes.

Entrants will have demonstrated excellence and innovation in delivering cancer clinical trials.

Examples might include initiatives to:

• Provide innovative solutions to the challenges posed by the increasing complexity of cancer trials and their delivery
• Streamline the patient pathway thereby improving the experience and care of patients on cancer clinical trials
• Address issues relating to recruitment to cancer clinical trials
• Raise awareness and understanding of the role of clinical research nursing and its impact on patient care and outcomes
• Increase opportunities for patients to access cancer clinical trials
• Embed a research culture and promote clinical research opportunities to the wider nursing community, other health professionals and patients

Who can enter?
This category is for clinical research nurses and clinical research nursing teams working on cancer clinical trials.

Entries are accepted from clinical research nurses nominating themselves or their own teams or can be submitted on behalf of another nurse or nursing team. Non-nursing colleagues such as managers, researchers or consultants may also nominate their nursing colleagues for this award.

Please note, this award is not for nurse researchers or those involved in nursing research.

How to enter:
Entries must be submitted online via the ‘enter’ button. We recommend nominators write the body of their entry in a separate document first, then copy and paste it into the entry form, to avoid the risk of submission being lost.

Changing categories
Once you begin creating your entry, you will be unable to change the category you have chosen to enter. If you want to change category, you will need to delete your original entry in the dashboard and then create a new entry.

What your entry must include

1. Title
   Please give your entry a title.
   (25 words)

2. Team or individual entry?
   If this entry is a team entry (either your own or another team), please double check carefully and list the full names and job titles of each team member and how they have each contributed to the entry.

3. Key aims
   Describe the key aims of the initiative or project. What were the reasons behind it and how was it implemented?
   (300 words)

4. Key roles
   Explain the role you/the nominee played in this initiative and its implementation.
   (200 words)

5. Challenges

   What were the challenges of implementing the initiative and how were these overcome?

   If the nominee is a team (either your own or another team), please check carefully and list the full name, job title and workplace of each team member, and describe how each one has contributed to the entry.

6. Evaluation
   Describe the outcome(s) of the initiative, its impact and what will change as a result.
   (300 words)

7. Sharing best practice
   How has the initiative been shared to benefit wider nursing practice in this area, patients and cancer trial delivery, or what plans are there to do so?
   (200 words)

You can also add up to three supporting files

• Acceptable file formats are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
• You can include case studies, evaluation reports, images, graphs – any information that will support your submission.
• The maximum file size in total is 6MB (2MB per file)

• How creative/innovative is the initiative or project?
• How instrumental was the nominee in setting up, delivering and leading the initiative?
• Consider the level of obstacles the nominee overcame to set up and deliver the initiative.
• Consider the impact the initiative has had, or could potentially have, on patient experience, patient outcomes, or nursing practice relating to clinical cancer research.
• How has the nominee contributed to the future of clinical research nursing in cancer?
• To what extent have/will findings and learnings from the initiative benefit wider practice, patient experience and cancer research delivery?
• To what extent does the nominee stand out as a champion and ambassador for the cancer clinical research nursing profession?

Support with your entry

Watch the free webinars from 2021 for guidance with entry nomination.

This award recognises individual nurses or teams who have implemented new projects or processes that have resulted in a real difference to patient care in any specialty or nursing environment.

Who can enter?
Entries are accepted from nurses nominating themselves or their own teams or can be submitted on behalf of another nurse or nursing team. Non-nursing colleagues such as managers or consultants may also nominate their nursing colleagues for this award. Entrants do not need to be a member of the RCN.

How to enter:
Entries must be submitted online via the ‘enter’ button. We recommend nominators write the body of their entry in a separate document first, then copy and paste it into the entry form, to avoid the risk of submissions being lost.

Changing categories
Once you begin creating your entry, you will be unable to change the category you have chosen to enter. If you want to change category, you will need to delete your original entry in the dashboard and then create a new entry.

What your entry must include

1. Title
   Please give your entry a title. Examples from previous years include ‘Hospital@Home team’ and ‘Young carers’ project’
   (25 words)

2. Key aims
   Describe the key aims of the initiative or project. What were the reasons behind it and how was it implemented?
   (200 words)

3. Key roles
   Clearly explain the role you/the nominee had in leading the initiative and its implementation.
   (200 words)

4. Team or individual nominee?
   Please list the full name, job title and workplace of the nominee.
   If the nominee is a team (either your own or another team), please check carefully and list the full name, job title and workplace of each team member, and describe how each one has contributed to the entry.

5. Challenges
   Explain the challenges in implementing the initiative and how they were overcome.
   (200 words)

6. Evaluation
   Describe how the initiative has improved patient experience, health outcomes and nursing practice.
   (300 words)

7. Sharing best practice
   Does the nominee have plans to disseminate their initiative or share their innovation?
   (100 words)

You can also add up to three supporting files

• Acceptable file formats are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
• You can include case studies, evaluation reports, images, graphs – any information that will support your submission.
• The maximum file size in total is 6MB (2MB per file)

• How creative/innovative is the initiative? How much has the project contributed to nursing knowledge?
• How instrumental was the nominee in setting up and leading the initiative?
• Consider the level of obstacles the nominee overcame to get the initiative up and running.
• Consider the impact the initiative has had on patient experience, health outcomes and nursing practice.
• What level of evaluation has been undertaken/is planned?
• To what extent has the nominee disseminated their initiative?
• To what extent does the nominee stand out as a nurse leader and ambassador for the profession?

Support with your entry

Watch the free webinars from 2021 for guidance with entry nomination.

This award recognises individual learning disability nurses or teams who have used their initiative, insight and skills to make a real difference to the health, well-being and social inclusion of people with learning disabilities.

Who can enter?
Entries are accepted from learning disability nurses nominating themselves or their own teams or can be submitted on behalf of another learning disability nurse or nursing team. Non-nursing colleagues such as managers or consultants may also nominate their nursing colleagues for this award. Entrants do not need to be a member of the RCN.

How to enter:
Entries must be submitted online via the ‘enter’ button. We recommend nominators write the body of their entry in a separate document first, then copy and paste it into the entry form, to avoid the risk of submissions being lost.

Changing categories
Once you begin creating your entry, you will be unable to change the category you have chosen to enter. If you want to change category, you will need to delete your original entry in the dashboard and then create a new entry.

What your entry must include

1. Title
   Please give your entry a title. Examples from previous years include ‘Hospital@Home team’ and ‘Young carers’ project’
   (25 words)

2. Key aims
   Describe the key aims of the initiative or project. What were the reasons behind it and how was it implemented?
   (200 words)

3. Key roles
   Clearly explain the role you/the nominee had in leading the initiative and its implementation.
   (200 words)

4. Team or individual nominee?
   Please list the full name, job title and workplace of the nominee.
   
   If the nominee is a team (either your own or another team), please check carefully and list the full name, job title and workplace of each team member, and describe how each one has contributed to the entry.

5. Challenges
   Explain the challenges in implementing the initiative and how they were overcome.
   (200 words)

6. Evaluation
   Describe how the initiative has improved patient experience, health outcomes and nursing practice.
   (300 words)

7. Sharing best practice
   Does the nominee have plans to disseminate their initiative or share their innovation?
   (100 words)

You can also add up to three supporting files

• Acceptable file formats are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
• You can include case studies, evaluation reports, images, graphs – any information that will support your submission.
• The maximum file size in total is 6MB (2MB per file)

• How creative/innovative is the initiative? How much has the project contributed to nursing knowledge?
• How instrumental was the nominee in setting up and leading the initiative?
• Consider the level of obstacles the nominee overcame to get the initiative up and running.
• Consider the impact the initiative has had on patient experience, health outcomes and nursing practice.
• What level of evaluation has been undertaken/is planned?
• To what extent has the nominee disseminated their initiative?
• To what extent does the nominee stand out as a nurse leader and ambassador for the profession?

Support with your entry

Watch the free webinars from 2021 for guidance with entry nomination.

This award celebrates individual nurses or teams who have used their initiative, insight and skills to improve the health and well-being of older people.

Who can enter?
Entries are accepted from nurses nominating themselves or their own teams or can be submitted on behalf of another nurse or nursing team. Non-nursing colleagues such as managers or consultants may also nominate their nursing colleagues for this award. Entrants do not need to be a member of the RCN.

How to enter:
Entries must be submitted online via the ‘enter’ button. We recommend nominators write the body of their entry in a separate document first, then copy and paste it into the entry form, to avoid the risk of submissions being lost.

Changing categories
Once you begin creating your entry, you will be unable to change the category you have chosen to enter. If you want to change category, you will need to delete your original entry in the dashboard and then create a new entry.

What your entry must include

1. Title
   Please give your entry a title. Examples from previous years include ‘Hospital@Home team’ and ‘Young carers’ project’
   (25 words)

2. Key aims
   Describe the key aims of the initiative or project. What were the reasons behind it and how was it implemented?
   (200 words)

3. Key roles
   Clearly explain the role you/the nominee had in leading the initiative and its implementation.
   (200 words)

4. Team or individual nominee?
   Please list the full name, job title and workplace of the nominee.
   
   If the nominee is a team (either your own or another team), please check carefully and list the full name, job title and workplace of each team member, and describe how each one has contributed to the entry.

5. Challenges
   Explain the challenges in implementing the initiative and how they were overcome.
   (200 words)

6. Evaluation
   Describe how the initiative has improved patient experience, health outcomes and nursing practice.
   (300 words)

7. Sharing best practice
   Does the nominee have plans to disseminate their initiative or share their innovation?
   (100 words)

You can also add up to three supporting files

• Acceptable file formats are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
• You can include case studies, evaluation reports, images, graphs – any information that will support your submission.
• The maximum file size in total is 6MB (2MB per file)

• How creative/innovative is the initiative? How much has the project contributed to nursing knowledge?
• How instrumental was the nominee in setting up and leading the initiative?
• Consider the level of obstacles the nominee overcame to get the initiative up and running.
• Consider the impact the initiative has had on patient experience, health outcomes and nursing practice.
• What level of evaluation has been undertaken/is planned?
• To what extent has the nominee disseminated their initiative?
• To what extent does the nominee stand out as a nurse leader and ambassador for the profession?

Support with your entry

Watch the free webinars from 2021 for guidance with entry nomination.

This award rewards individuals and teams working in a healthcare support role such as healthcare assistants, nursing associates and assistant practitioners who work under the guidance of a registered nurse, health visitor or midwife. It recognises the significant contribution they make to patient care and experdience.

Who can enter?
Entries are accepted from nursing support workers nominating themselves or their own teams. They can also be nominated by nursing and non-nursing colleagues such as managers or consultants. Entrants do not need to be a member of the RCN.

How to enter:
Entries must be submitted online via the ‘enter’ button. We recommend entrants write the body of their entry in a separate document first, then copy and paste it into the entry form, to avoid the risk of submissions being lost.

Changing categories
Once you begin creating your entry, you will be unable to change the category you have chosen to enter. If you want to change category, you will need to delete your original entry in the dashboard and then create a new entry.

What your entry must include

1. Title
   Please give your entry a title. Examples from previous years include ‘Hospital@Home team’ and ‘Young carers’ project’
   (25 words)

2. Team or individual nominee?
   Please list the full name, job title and workplace of the nominee.
   
   If the nominee is a team (either your own or another team), please check carefully and list the full name, job title and workplace of each team member, and describe how each one has contributed to the entry.

3. Your reasons for entering*
   Describe why you want to nominate yourself/the entrant for the award.
   (200 words)

4. Above and beyond
   How have you/the nominee gone above and beyond the expectations of the nursing support worker role? What challenges did you/the nominee face and how were they overcome?
   (200 words)

5. Patient care
   Please give examples of the difference you/the nominee has made to patient care and the nursing team. Has your/their work been evaluated?
   (400 words)

You can also add up to three supporting files

• Acceptable file formats are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .png
• You can include case studies, evaluation reports, images, graphs – any information that will support your submission.
• The maximum file size in total is 6MB (2MB per file)

• How creative/innovative is the initiative?
• How instrumental was the nominee in setting up and leading the initiative?
• Consider the level of obstacles the nominee overcame to get the initiative up and running.
• Consider the impact the initiative has had on patient or client care and experience and health outcomes.
• How has the nominee contributed to the nursing team?
• What level of evaluation has been undertaken/is planned?

Support with your entry

Watch the free webinars from 2021 for guidance with entry nomination.