TWO student nurses have been short-listed for a Nursing Times award, while their bosses in East Lancashire have won recognition for easing the transition from the classroom to the ward.

Sarah Williams, 26, from Baxenden, had been on placement in the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) at Royal Blackburn Hospital and has been shortlisted as the ‘most inspirational student nurse of the year’.

Her tutors said she had inspired peers with her efforts, work and behaviour on the wards and at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

She said: “I am delighted to have been nominated for this award but to win it would be even better. It makes all the hard work and dedication needed to become a nurse worthwhile.”

She recently became fully qualified and started as a staff nurse on the MAU last week.

Gillian Warwick, a community-based Macmillian clinical nurse specialist, has been shortlisted for the post-registration award, which recognises an outstanding student who is able to demonstrate clinical skills and academic achievement and has also made a significant contribution to nursing knowledge.

She said: “It is such a great feeling to know that your passion for your work shines through and hopefully inspires others at the same time. We all like to feel valued for what we do and this nomination has made me feel very honoured.”

Meanwhile, East Lancs Hospitals NHS Trust, in partnership with UCLan, has been shortlisted for the student partnership of the year, in recognition of the work that has been undertaken to develop strategies to support the work-based learning of staff who are undertaking an MSc Advanced Practice.

Linda Whitfield, head of clinical education at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Gill Cairns from the trust and Lynne Harrison from the University of Central Lancashire must both be given a great deal of credit for designing and delivering this course which has received excellent feedback from students.

“For the second year running, the trust has had the highest number of training places in the region funded by Health Education North West for the advanced practitioner course.”