University of Chester shortlisted for six Student Nursing Times Awards

The annual awards bring together the nursing and midwifery community to shine a light on the brightest talent making their way into the profession. Highlighting excellence in all specialities of student nursing, the awards also provide the opportunity to congratulate the lecturers, practice supervisors, universities, trusts and private organisations providing the best support for student nurses during their studies.

The shortlisted categories are: 

• Learner of the Year: Post-registration – Faye Tierney, MNurs Learning Disability and Mental Health 

• Student Nurse or Midwife of the Year: Clinical Research - Alison Walsh, BN Mental Health (Apprenticeship Route with Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership) 

• Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion - Josh Vella 

• Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration) - Practice Education Team, for collaborative work with Alder Hey on the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) programme - Professional Nurse Advocate Developmental Day! 
• Teaching Innovation of the Year (Curriculum) - Skills and Simulation Team for the Nightshift Placement initiative 
• Teaching Innovation of the Year (Curriculum) - Allyship Training Package

• Learner of the Year: Post-registration – Faye Tierney 

Faye exemplifies excellence as an integrated Master’s student and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advancing nursing practice. Having completed her undergraduate degree in Learning Disability Nursing with consistently outstanding evaluations, she has continued to uphold the highest standards of professionalism. 

Her achievements reflect academic distinction, leadership and a deep sense of professional responsibility. Throughout her studies, Faye has demonstrated a strong capacity to contribute to nursing knowledge through reflective practice and innovative advocacy and originality in learning by integrating dual specialisms to enhance communication and care quality. 

• Student Nurse or Midwife of the Year: Clinical Research – Alison Walsh 

Alison has a genuine passion for advancing nursing knowledge and has consistently worked beyond curriculum expectations to pursue research and champion creative health. During her creative health placement, she identified an opportunity to strengthen learning in this area and recognised its significance for both patient care and the wider nursing workforce. This insight inspired her to undertake an autoethnographic study titled ‘The learning experience of a student nurse on creative health placement: an autoethnography study.’ Her work explores her learning throughout the placement, her prior experiences and expectations, and the development of new skills that could shape her future practice. 

From this research, Alison has actively shared her findings across multiple platforms. She produced a poster for an NHS trust research conference, co‑authored an article in BMJ Evidence-Based Nursing and delivered a joint presentation at the Advance HE Educational Excellence Symposium in December 2025. Her commitment to inquiry, reflection and dissemination demonstrates both initiative and a strong contribution to the growing field of creative health within nursing. 

• Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion – Josh Vella 

Josh, who will qualify as a Registered Nurse in November 2025, has shown exceptional dedication, professionalism and compassion. He champions equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of his work, with a particular focus on improving transgender‑inclusive healthcare. His contributions include delivering highly praised teaching and keynote sessions; publishing influential articles on transgender health and collaborating with organisations including the RCN and NMC. 

Recognised as an EDI expert, Josh consistently fosters safe, inclusive environments and demonstrates exemplary leadership. He is a powerful advocate for inclusive practice and is fully deserving of recognition for his outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion. 

• Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration) – Practice Education Team, for collaborative work with Alder Hey on the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) programme - Professional Nurse Advocate Developmental Day! 

The Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) role marks a significant advancement in modern nursing leadership and workforce wellbeing. Grounded in the Advocating and Educating for Quality Improvement (A‑EQUIP) model, the role centres on providing restorative clinical supervision (RCS) - a structured, supportive process that enables nurses and midwives to reflect on their personal and professional experiences within a safe, confidential and non‑judgmental environment. 

Recognising the importance of equipping PNAs to carry out this work effectively, the Practice Education and Simulated Learning Team at the University of Chester introduced the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) Development Day in April 2024. 

• Teaching Innovation of the Year (Curriculum) – Skills and Simulation Team for the Nightshift Placement initiative 

The simulated night shift was introduced into the four-week simulation placement in 2025. By including a night shift, the team has added clinical authenticity to its placement rota and offered the students that chance to work a full overnight shift in the safety of a simulated environment. To give the night shift a public health focus, the University collaborated with the charity Shelter to help students gain important accurate insights and knowledge into the health care inequalities and needs of the homeless population. The night shift has remained a permanent part of the simulation placement offered to all first-year student nurses at University of Chester. 

• Teaching Innovation of the Year (Curriculum) - Allyship Training Package 

The University of Chester’s Allyship Workshop embeds equality, diversity, and inclusion as essential components of nursing students’ professional identity. Grounded in transformative learning theory, it challenges learners to critically examine bias, privilege, and values, driving cultural and behavioural change. Through interactive dialogue, scenario-based learning, and creative activities, students build confidence to challenge discrimination and deliver inclusive care. Completion is recognised with the University’s Allyship Badge - a visible symbol of commitment to anti-discriminatory practice. Already shared with NHS partners and aligned with RCN priorities and the NHS People Plan, this adaptable, evidence-based model offers long-term potential across health and social care education. 

The winners will be announced on Friday, April 24 at Grosvenor House in central London. 

Eve Collins, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society at the University of Chester, said: “The Nursing staff at the University of Chester are immensely proud of Josh, Alison and Faye and of the exceptional achievements they have demonstrated throughout their studies. They exemplify the very highest standards of professionalism, compassion and leadership that we strive to nurture in our future nurses. Their dedication, originality, and compassion are a credit to the university and to the nursing profession and we have every confidence that they will continue to make an exceptional contribution to healthcare. They are thoroughly deserving of recognition at the Student Nursing Times Awards.” 

Professor Angela Simpson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society said: “We are thrilled to see the University represented in so many categories and this is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and students. I wish everyone the very best of luck.”