Tanya named in RCNi Awards shortlist
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) nursing student has made the final shortlist at the RCNi (Royal College of Nursing) Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation across the profession.
Final year children’s nursing student Tanya Marlow is one of five finalists shortlisted for the prestigious Andrew Parker Student Nurse Award, which attracted more than 600 entrants from around the country and recognises student nurses who are patient focused, use their initiative and have strong leadership skills to bring about change.
Tanya made the final after impressing judges with her presentation about sharing skills related to nasogastric feeding; a process that allows a person to be fed through a tube inserted up the nose. Nasogastric feeding is common in paediatric nursing and now in her third year of study with several work placements under her belt, Tanya worked with first year students to show them how to insert the tube so that they are more confident going onto placement and learning more about it.
"I am ecstatic about making the final five and am looking forward to the awards evening. I feel that even just being nominated is recognition for all the voluntary work that I do."
The 26-year-old, who has secured a job on the children’s ward at Royal Preston Hospital after graduation, said: “I worked with 40 students in the workshop and got some great feedback. I think peer-to-peer education plays an important role in nursing training as it’s a profession that is constantly changing. I am ecstatic about making the final five and am looking forward to the awards evening. I feel that even just being nominated is recognition for all the voluntary work that I do.”
Alongside her studies, Tanya also helps at Health Melas, takes teddy bear clinics into schools and nurseries, is an outreach officer at local schools and colleges and is a sexual health volunteer on the University campus. She has also worked in a Sri Lankan hospital on placement to experience health care in a different environment and will soon go to Kenya on a student trip to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) among young people.
The winner of the Andrew Parker Student Nurse Award will be announced at the annual RCNi Nurse Awards 2017 on 5 May in Westminster. Prizes will be given out across 14 categories covering a wide range of specialties such as learning disability nursing, child health, cancer nursing, mental health and nursing older people.
