Coventry University in the running for top nursing awards

The quality of nursing education at Coventry University is gaining widespread recognition with a member of its staff and its teaching methods being nominated for prestigious national awards.

Anne McCarthy, course director of the adult nursing programme at the university, has been shortlisted in the ‘Educator of the Year’ category at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2015, while the simulated scenarios exercises and e-learning health assessment skills programme that are delivered as part of the nursing courses at Coventry are both in the running for the ‘Teaching Innovation of the Year’ award. 

Run by Nursing Times magazine, the awards - which this year have attracted over 400 hundred entrants across several categories - celebrate the achievements of the educational establishments, teachers and students who are guiding and shaping the future of the profession. 

Anne is one of nine nominees from universities throughout the UK to be shortlisted for the Educator of the Year category and follows in the footsteps of Coventry University colleague Sue Creswell who narrowly missed out on the title of ‘Lecturer of the Year’ at the 2014 awards.  Anne will find out if she is the winner at a special ceremony taking place in London on Thursday 7 May. 

Since completing her nurse training at Queen Mary’s Hospital in London in 1990, Anne has worked in various roles, mainly in the NHS, including medicine, intensive care and renal nursing. Before commencing full-time teaching in Coventry in 2012, she spent 16 years at the city’s hospital in practice, research and educational roles.  

Anne’s clinical nursing experience combined with her extensive knowledge of how to support learning has been of tremendous benefit to the many students who have come under her charge.  She has been nominated by student nurses at the university on the basis of her inspirational teaching and her dedication and determination to help her students achieve and understand the role of a successful nurse.  

Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Anne said: 

I’m flattered and delighted to have been nominated for such a high profile award. It’s an honour to be recognised for my teaching and care of student nurses and it’s also nice to be appreciated by both students and fellow professionals who support and inspire me.

The wonderful student testimonials in particular were very touching and it’s rewarding and highly motivating to know that I am playing a part in helping them on their path to what I know from experience is a tremendously satisfying career.

Steve O’Brien, head of the department for nursing, midwifery and healthcare practice at Coventry University, said:  

It’s satisfying to see that our approach to teaching the next generation of nurses is catching the eye of the wider profession. 

Our nominations demonstrate that we are delivering high quality nursing education here in Coventry and they are of course testimony to the hard work of our staff. I’m especially pleased that Anne has been shortlisted. As a course director she is responsible for the progression of around 300 students per year and it’s a role that she fulfils with great diligence, safeguarding the public and the nursing profession.

Her passion for nursing and compassion and commitment to supporting student nurses on their journey towards registration is exemplary and is very much appreciated by staff and students here.

The Student Nursing Times Awards take place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Thursday 7 May 2015. Further information about the awards is available on the Student Nursing Times Awards website. 

For further information, please contact Mark Farnan, press officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7765 8245 or email mark.farnan@coventry.ac.uk.