Laura Thomas, 20, a third year student midwife at Bangor University, has won the Nursing Times Student Midwife of the Year Award, chosen from nominees from across the whole of the UK.
Following a record-breaking year of award entries, the winners of the Student Nursing Times Awards 2018 were announced during a glittering afternoon ceremony held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Thursday 26 April 2018.
Student nurses, universities and organisations from across the student nursing community were honoured in 19 categories dedicated to celebrating exceptional achievement.
Jenni Middleton, Nursing Times editor and host of the Student Nursing Times Awards commented: “The Student Nursing Times Awards are a fantastic celebration of student nurses and the universities and placement providers that educate and train them.
“The skills, expertise and insight that is taught by educators and mentors in provider organisations as well as in the academic setting is to be celebrated because it inspires our next generation of nursing talent.”
“Every year, our judges are stunned by the standard of our entrants, and this year in particular they commented to me just how much better the quality of applicants was. We are delighted to be handing out these trophies to the very best students, and the organisations that are supporting them and helping them to become nurses.”
Laura said: “I had only turned 18 a few weeks before starting my training and this will give me that confidence boost for the rest of my journey.
“Throughout my training I have tried my best to seek out extra opportunities such as the Council of Deans Student Leadership programme and being elected as the chairperson of Bangor University Student Midwife Society, all things that will enhance my knowledge and skills in order to provide the best care possible to all women I come across in my path.
“I’ve been through a lot during my course and have shown my resilience to overcome the hurdles that I have been met with, in order to put my best foot forward for woman-centred care at all times.
“I’ve been encouraged by positive feedback from mentors who have seen me grow as a professional and personally over the 3 years and heart-warming feedback from all of the wonderful women and their families that I have had the pleasure to care for.
The Nursing Times judges highlighted Laura as “clearly a future leader for midwifery”
Laura added: “I’m still in shock! A massive thank you to absolutely everyone who has supported me in my journey so far, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
