Celebrating previous winners

Reflecting and celebrating our previous RCN Nursing Awards winners

We take a look back at the previous RCN Nursing Awards winners who have gone on to achieve further success.

Finalists and winners of the RCN Nursing Awards often see their careers accelerate thanks to the recognition and exposure they receive from entering the awards. Many past winners have gone on to even more outstanding achievements and have become influencers in nursing practice on a national scale.
 

RCN Nurse of the Year 2021 who defied opposition receives an OBE

Former RCN Nurse of the Year 2021 Nicola Bailey defied opposition to provide early medical abortions to women in Northern Ireland. Ms Bailey, a sexual health services nurse manager at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, received an OBE for her services to healthcare after she won RCN Nurse of the Year in 2021.

Nicola set up the Rose Clinic, an early medical abortion service for women up to the tenth week of pregnancy, when COVID-19 struck and lockdown rules were preventing women from travelling to England to access care.

Find out more: 'We can help women stop a tragic cycle’: meet our RCN Nurse of the Year 2021

RCN Nurse of the Year 2019 praised by prime minister

RCN Nurse of the Year 2019 was described as a ‘local hero’ by then prime minister Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson met matron for ophthalmology Taurai Matare, also known as Tara, when he visited Whipps Cross University Hospital in London.

‘I had no idea how far this award would take me’: Taurai Matare

Find out more: Taurai Matare reflects on her first 100 days as RCN Nurse of the Year in the role that put her specialty in the spotlight – and landed her a one-to-one with then prime minister Boris Johnson.
 

Nursing is the star in Antiques Roadshow’s special edition

A former RCN Nursing Awards winner had a ‘pinch me’ moment when he appeared on the Antique Roadshow’s Nursing Special.  Rohit Sagoo was the winner of the leadership category in the RCN Nursing Awards 2021. 

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Our previous RCN Nursing Awards winners sharing best practice