'King's has provided me with so many great opportunities to get first-hand experience in research throughout my undergraduate degree. Improving sustainability within nursing is an ethical imperative and a critical area for the NHS moving forward. It is an honour to be shortlisted for this award.'
Victoria Edleston (Mental Health Nursing, 2023)
19 February 2024
Nursing students, colleagues and alumni shortlisted for Student Nursing Times Awards 2024
They have been shortlisted for their contributions to sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and for being outstanding practitioners in their field.
Colleagues, current students and recent graduates from the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care have been shortlisted for the Student Nursing Times Awards 2024.
Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability
Three recent graduates from the Faculty have been shortlisted in this category: Victoria Edleston (Mental Health Nursing, 2023), Akira Madams (MSc Adult Nursing, 2023) and Kendall Robbins (Adult Nursing, 2023).
Victoria and Akira were nominated for carrying out an audit of the clinical waste produced in clinical skills sessions with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of the educational sessions and raising awareness among students and staff. Kendall was nominated for articulating concerns about the disposal of nursing student uniforms and the global impact this is having, and for making suggestions that the Faculty and wider University can easily implement.
'I’m honoured to be shortlisted for the sustainability award. As nurses, we need reduce harm and preserve safety, and to do so, we must look beyond the health of individuals through holistic care which encompasses living systems, communities, and future generations. It is a great result to know that my thoughts and concerns on this waste stream are being looked at seriously by the faculty.'
Kendall Robbins (Adult Nursing, 2023)
As part of King's Strategy 2026, the University is committed to a Climate & Sustainability action plan which identifies the need to manage waste as well as ensuring that teaching on sustainability is embedded within the educational provision. All three nominees worked with stakeholders from across the Faculty and the University, including climate network groups, alumni already working in this area and students from other universities, to come up with and embed solutions into working practices.
For more information about the Student Nursing Times Awards 2024, click here.
University Educator of the Year Award
Dr Siobhán O'Connor has been shortlisted for the University Educator of the Year Award. Dr O'Connor is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty and has nearly 20 years combined experience in industry, clinical practice and higher education. Her teaching and research focus on co-designing, testing and implementing technology in healthcare.
Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion and Student Nurse or Midwife of the Year
Alexx Dixon, a current MNurs student, has been shortlisted in two categories: the Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion, and Student Nurse or Midwife of the Year: Clinical Research. Both award shortlists recognise Alexx's commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), particularly through their work planning the conference 'Towards Health Equity' with the LGBT+ Society, emphasising the importance of nursing representation and gathering speakers who could cover different aspects of trans+ healthcare. They have taken initiative in lending their nursing specialism to working in drop-in clinic for sex workers. They have co-authored several papers in these fields and have also acted as a representative on the Faculty EDI committee and the Student-Staff Liaison Committee.
'I'm beyond excited to be shortlisted for the Nursing Times Student Nurse or Midwife of the Year: Clinical Research, and the Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion. Reflecting on my nursing journey at King's College London, it's been a dynamic blend of turning theory into action. King's has offered not just education, but an environment that nurtures innovation and social responsibility.'
Alexx Dixon, MNurs student