Walsall Healthcare’s “inspirational” Rapid Response Team is celebrating after winning an award.
The team was named Placement Provider of the Year at the University of Wolverhampton’s 11th Annual Students’ Union Awards, where students can nominate their placement team for recognition.
Student Carrie Eagleton nominated the team in the new 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.
Advanced Clinical Practitioner from the Rapid Response Team Claire Watkins attended the gala ceremony at Molineux Stadium, receiving a glass trophy and certificate on behalf of the team.
She said: “We are delighted to have won this award. It’s lovely to have the recognition for the team from students, because we’re inspiring the next generation of nurses.
“Carrie was considering her future at one point last year, so to have helped her believe she has a future in nursing by enhancing her knowledge and leading by example is wonderful.
“She gave me a beautiful card to say how much we had inspired her and renewed her enthusiasm for the profession and we’re very proud of her.
“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 due to their fragmented learning through COVID-19.
“It’s not an easy journey – I myself have done my Masters during the pandemic so I know what students have gone through; they haven’t had those connections you need, added to the educational pressures.”
Carrie, 28, from Walsall, is in her fourth year on the MNurs integrated Masters programme, and is currently undertaking her retrieval placement with the team before qualifying in July.
Having undertaken her placements at Walsall throughout her course, Carrie 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 19-strong Rapid Response, which is based at Blakenall Village Centre during the day and Holly Bank House in Willenhall at night, is made up of experienced nurses ranging from clinical nurses to Advanced Clinical Practitioners.
In addition, Carrie herself was shortlisted for a Student Nursing Times Award, for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs.