Walsall’s Rapid Response Team is hoping to win two awards after being connected to two nominations.
The team has been shortlisted for the University of Wolverhampton’s 11th Annual Students’ Union Awards in a new category of Placement Provider of the Year, where students can nominate their placement team for recognition.
Student Carrie Eagleton nominated the team in a category which offers the opportunity for students to show recognition and celebrate the achievements of staff – academic non-academic and Student Union (SU) – and students, who have helped make life at university better.
Carrie, 28, from Walsall, is a fourth-year student on the MNurs integrated Masters programme, and is currently undertaking her retrieval placement with the team before qualifying in July.
Advanced Clinical Practitioner from the Rapid Response Team Claire Watkins said: “We are delighted to be nominated for an award, particularly for offering a positive student placement experience.
“As a team, we value our students and try to offer an enhanced learning experience for them, especially after the difficulties of the past few years.
“These students are our future nurses, and they deserve the best education. To be recognised for our commitment to this is wonderful.”
Carrie, who has undertaken her placements at Walsall throughout her course, said: “I nominated the Rapid Response Team because it has offered an incredible placement experience and deserves recognition for its hard work.
“The staff are warm, welcoming and go above and beyond for their patients. They treat students like colleagues, offering a thorough and enjoyable learning experience. I’ve loved my placement here and will be so sad to leave when I’ve completed my training.”
The team finds out if it has been successful at the awards ceremony next Thursday, 26 May, at Molineux Stadium, when 19 awards are up for grabs.
In addition, Carrie herself has been shortlisted for a Student Nursing Times Award, for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs, with the awards ceremony taking place in London next Friday.
“To be nominated for a Student Nursing Times award is an absolute honour, and to be shortlisted is incredible,” added Carrie. “I was absolutely stunned and I’m delighted.
“The people on the judging panel were lovely during my interview, and I’m really looking forward to meeting the worthy nominees in London. I’m just so pleased to make a difference for my fellow student nurses.”
Carrie added: “What’s most important is having made a difference to students, and getting recognised for that is an absolute honour.
“I was nominated by an individual student who had some personal, health and family issues. I provided her with continuous support throughout the pandemic.”