RCN Nursing Awards 2023 Categories

Child health
Child health

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

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?


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Community & general practice nursing
Community & general practice nursing

This award recognises individual nurses or teams who work in community, primary care and public health roles. Whether you work in a health centre, general practice, school or in patients' homes, we want to hear about your innovations and excellent practice.

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?


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Digital innovation New for 2023 - Sponsored by FuturU
Digital innovation

This award celebrates nursing initiatives that are improving the experience of care, health outcomes or nursing practice through technology.

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?


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Greener nursing practice
Greener nursing practice

This award recognises individual or teams of nurses, students or nursing support workers in any specialty who are working to improve healthcare's environmental impact, for example carbon reduction projects or reducing single use plastics in their workplace.

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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 its environmental impact, for example has it reduced carbon emissions or the use of single use plastics?  
  • 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 shared their initiative?  
  • To what extent does the nominee stand out as a nurse leader and ambassador for the profession?


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Innovations in your specialty Sponsored by Nursing & Midwifery Council
Innovations in your specialty

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.

 

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?


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Leadership
Leadership

This award is for clinical leaders who have developed initiatives to ensure their team offers the highest quality and safest care possible.

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • How creative/innovative is the initiative? How much has the project contributed to nursing knowledge?
  • 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 entrant disseminated / plans to disseminate their initiative?


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Learning disability nursing
Learning disability nursing

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?


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Mental health nursing
Mental health nursing

This award recognises nurses whose innovative approach to mental health has inspired service users and colleagues and created positive outcomes in the lives of people they care for.

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.

 

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?
     

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Nursing older people
Nursing older people

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?


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Nursing student
Nursing student

This award is for individual nursing students or teams who demonstrate that their nursing practice, perceptions or interactions with patients have changed as a result of a project or experience during training.

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

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • To what extent does the entrant demonstrate an ability to assess the situation and use their initiative and leadership skills to bring about change?
  • How has the entrant demonstrated their commitment to the nursing profession and delivering excellent patient care?
  • Does the nursing student stand out from the crowd as a patient champion or future leader?


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Nursing support worker
Nursing support worker

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 experience.

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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?


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Patient’s Choice
Patient’s Choice

This award provides an opportunity for members of the public to thank a nurse, midwife, health visitor or nursing support worker who has made a real difference to their care of that of a loved one.

Who can enter?
Entries are accepted from patients and members of the public only. Entries from nurses or colleagues of nurses will not be accepted. Nominees do not need to be a member of the Royal College of Nursing.

Finalists for this award will be decided by our panel of judges and the winner will be decided by public vote.

Details on how to vote for the winner will be provided once the finalists have been announced in July 2023.

 

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category Criteria
Researcher of the year New for 2023 – Sponsored by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
Researcher of the year

This award celebrates nurse and midwife researchers and their impact on the experience of care and health outcomes.

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • How creative/innovative is the initiative? 
  • How instrumental was the nominee in setting up, delivering and leading it? 
  • 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, the experience of care, health outcomes or nursing practice. 
  • To what extent have/will findings and learnings from the initiative benefit and contribute to wider practice, experiences of care, health outcomes and research impact? 
  • How has the nominee contributed to the future of research as a nurse leader? 
  • To what extent does the nominee stand out as a champion and ambassador for the nursing profession?


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Team of the year Sponsored by LV
Team of the year

This award recognises that great nursing is often delivered in teams and in close partnership with multidisciplinary colleagues – or even patients or stakeholders. Entrants will need to demonstrate the significance of the nursing contribution to the project’s success as well as its impact on patient care.

Who can enter?
Entries are accepted from nurses nominating their own teams or can be submitted on behalf of another 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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • How creative/innovative is the initiative? How much has the project contributed to nursing knowledge and patient care?
  • How instrumental was the nurse/team in setting up and leading the initiative?
  • Consider the level of obstacles the team overcame to get the initiative up and running.
  • Has the nurse/team demonstrated excellent team working and a high level of integration with other members of the multidisciplinary team/stakeholders/patients?
  • How has the initiative changed nursing practice and patient experience?
  • What level of evaluation has been undertaken/is planned?
  • To what extent have the team disseminated their initiative?
  • To what extent does the nurse/team stand out as a nurse leader and ambassador for the profession?


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Workforce initiative of the year New for 2023 – Sponsored by NHS Professionals
Workforce initiative of the year

This award celebrates initiatives to attract and retain staff, support and develop the workforce, and improve equality, diversity and inclusiveness.

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.

Entry Deadline
15 May 2023 - 09:00
Category judging criteria:
  • 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 the recruitment, retention, wellbeing and training of the nursing workforce? Has it improved equality, diversity and inclusion? Has there been an impact on people’s experience of care and health outcomes?
  • 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

Advice and top tips on how to write a winning nurse award entry