Student nurse reaches finals of national award

Ada Evangeline Okoye, who is in her final year of BSc (hons) Adult Nursing was shortlisted for the National Student Nurses Congress Awards and was presented with a certificate of achievement and a plaque at the event which was held in London.

The National Student Nurse Congress Award was introduced in 2019 to recognise the achievements of exceptional student nurses. It looks for students in nursing who show genuine passion for nursing, who go the extra mile, strive to make things better and show to be a future leader.

On being shortlisted, Ada said: “I feel so excited and humble for being shortlisted for the National Student Nurse Congress at St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London. I was elated to be presented with a framed certificate and a personalised photo plaque.

“It was very motivating for me that my actions as a role model to other student nurses were recognised. My support for others, including students, gives me joy when I see them succeed and progress because of my input. Furthermore, I am self-aware of my professionalism in abiding by the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct (NMC) standard of proficiencies about being a role model to future nurses and demonstrating leadership.

“Though sometimes, it can be very challenging because I have my coursework, assessments, and placements to accomplish, at the same time, I have to create time to support other student nurses in answering their questions on their course work, referencing, and helping with information on Pebble-pad, enrichment placements, alternative fields and signposting.

Assisting student nurses is fulfilling, and as the Chief Nursing Officer of England, Dame Ruth May, said during the National Student Nurse Congress 2023, student nurses are tomorrow’s future!”

Ada says she wants to be a nurse to help people: “I chose nursing because I love helping people. I see nursing as not just a job, but as a vocation because it gives me the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I love helping people so that’s why I chose nursing.”

Ada was nominated by fellow nursing student Chinwendu Amoke. In her nomination, Ada is described as ‘a great inspiration for many student nurses at Leeds Beckett University and across the NHS, who has remained a source of strength and encouragement to me and to other student nurses in and outside my circle.’ It states that Ada was one of the few who initiated the idea of a social media forum that has remained a vital source of information to many student nurses at Leeds Beckett.

Janine Lee, Course Director for BSc (Hons) Adult and Mental Health Nursing at the School of Health, said: “Ada is a buddy for students in year one and two of the course, along with two of her peers. They provide support and guidance to the first and second year students who reach out to them and it is this support, provided to one of the first-year students that was highlighted in Ada’s nomination, as it made a real difference to that individual.

“The nomination describes how Ada “was there for me during challenging times” and that the student “immensely benefited from Ada's generosity and advice and her positive attitude to her nursing education, her deep sense of commitment to her profession, her empathy towards vulnerable people and her love for others” were some of the characteristics and behaviours role modelled by Ada.

“The purpose of the National Student Nurse Congress is to help nursing students across the UK to expand their knowledge in regard to nursing education, care and practice. Ada had the opportunity at the event, to meet with students from other universities, across different fields of nursing, and across all year groups.

“The Nursing Team is delighted that Ada was shortlisted as she is a wonderful role model for both our course and the nursing profession.”

For more information on nursing opportunities at Leeds Beckett University click here.