Posted 31 March 2016
Posted 31 March 2016
Career advice
Passion for nursing
RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Claire Harris was recognised for setting up a new stroke service that cut the length of inpatient stay
It is impressive enough to be crowned RCN Wales Nurse of the Year, but winning the accolade within six years of qualifying is an exceptional achievement.
Claire Harris, a ward sister at the Royal Gwent Hospital (RGH) in Newport, only began nurse training in 2006.
She was recognised at the awards for her role in delivering a stroke design programme at her health board. This led to the creation of a single-site stroke service and the introduction of 12 hyperacute stroke beds by January this year.
The unit has seen an increase in discharge rates and a reduction in the average length of stay for patients.
Even Ms Harris was surprised to win the award so early in her career, saying: ‘There are so many nurses who work equally as hard as I do. I want the award to raise the profile of
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