Categories and criteria

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.

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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 members 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 ‘Men’s Shed Govan’ and ‘Tissue viability outreach team’
   (25 words).

2. Team or individual nominee
   Please list the full name, job title and workplace of your nominee.
   
   If the nominee is a team, please list the full name, job title and workplace of each team member.

3. Reasons for the nomination
   Please explain why you have chosen to nominate this nurse or team of nurses.
   (400 words).

4. Above and beyond
   Please explain – and give examples of – how the nurse or team went above and beyond the call of duty and why you feel they deserve the award
   (400 words).

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.