Do you believe that your own innovation or project deserves to be given a platform to be developed and influence nursing practice nationally?

Do you know of a colleague that deserves recognition on the national stage for the work they do as a learning disability nurse, support worker or nursing student?

Or do you feel that your own innovation or project deserves to be given a platform to be developed and influence nursing practice nationally?

‘Learning disability nurses are adept at innovation – it’s in your DNA – so the RCN Nursing Awards are the perfect opportunity to show the profession what you’ve got’

Perfect opportunity to showcase your work

Last year’s learning disability nursing category winner was Gerard Wainwright, and the previous year was Rebecca Crossley. In 2017, the category also had the overall winner of Nurse of the Year in Melanie Davies, whose work with the Paul Ridd Foundation was inspirational and played a part in the mandatory training in his name for Wales.

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Equally, it maybe that you want to thank a colleague for all the support they have given you.

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If so, then the RCN Nursing Awards are the perfect opportunity to showcase this work. Entries are open until 28 April.

There are 15 categories this year, including learning disability nursing, nursing student, nursing support worker and team of the year.

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There are also three new categories this year; digital innovation, researcher of the year and workforce initiative of the year. And why not also consider entering the greener nursing practice category if you have been involved in a project to help reduce healthcare’s carbon footprint and CO₂ emissions that are threatening our planet.

Learning disability nurses are adept at innovation – it’s in your DNA – so the RCN Nursing Awards are the perfect opportunity to show people what you’ve got.

Enter the 2023 RCN Nursing Awards

Positive Choices and Commitment conference running face-to-face again

April is a busy month with the Positive Choices and Commitment 2023 conference running again as face-to-face events for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began and this time at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk on the 13-14 April.

Later in the year, on 10-11 November, you are personally invited to RCNi’s first-ever Nursing Live event at the ACC Liverpool, which will be a celebration of all that’s special about nursing. Plans include an exhibition and CPD sessions incorporating learning disability nursing.

On Friday 10 November the category winners in the RCN Nursing Awards, plus the overall Nurse of the Year winner, will be announced at a ceremony in Liverpool Cathedral.

I hope to see you there.

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Christine Walker is editor of Learning Disability Practice