RCN Awards: your 2023 winners

Tonight (14 May), we celebrated the dedication of our outstanding RCN reps, active members and forum members who’ve made a significant contribution to the nursing profession. They received RCN Awards as part of the opening ceremony of RCN Congress in Brighton after being nominated by their nursing peers.

The RCN Fellowship recognises innovative individuals who have made an exceptional commitment to advancing the science and practice of nursing and the improvement of health and patient care.

This year’s recipients include Dr Nikki Cotterill, who has gained an international reputation for developing quality of life tools for people with continence problems; Professor Helen Allan, whose research on internationally educated nurses has become a key reference point; and Professor Calvin Moorley, a Mary Seacole scholar whose work on social justice, racism and inequality positions him as an expert in his field.

Each year we honour active members from across the UK who’ve made an exceptional contribution to the RCN. This year, six members receive the Award of Merit, the highest honour the RCN can give for voluntary service to the College.

This year’s recipients include Sally Bassett, senior lecturer and Chair of the RCN Forum Chairs Committee, Vicky Brotherton, senior sister, steward and safety rep, and Francesca Steyn, Director of Fertility Services and Chair of RCN Fertility Nursing Forum.

The Representative of the Year Awards include Learning Representative of the Year, Safety Representative of the Year and Steward of the Year, and these are awarded to our reps who’ve gone the extra mile.

This year, Maive Coley was awarded Steward of the Year, Patrick Lawlor was awarded Safety Representative of the Year, and Sheena Martin was awarded Learning Representative of the Year.

The RCN Student Ambassador of the Year Award is open to student ambassadors who have made a difference at their university and shown outstanding commitment to the RCN and its members, especially student members. Lisa Cooke took home the award this year, nominated for her unwavering determination, perseverance, and success in getting the voices of their fellow students heard, using an organising model and raising concerns to the dean of the university.

Two new categories were introduced in the RCN Awards this year: Forum Member of the Year and Forum Committee Member of the Year, which celebrate members' outstanding contributions to the RCN's professional forums.

The inaugural winners of these awards are Doreen Crawford (Forum Member of the Year) and Ruth Bailey (Forum Committee Member of the Year).

RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: “Well done and congratulations to all our winners and commendees. You’re just amazing.”

Find out more about the RCN Awards.