A STUDENT midwife from Belfast has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award which recognises exceptional professional skills and potential.
Suzie Smyth, who is studying at Queen’s University, has been nominated for the 2013/14 Outstanding Student Midwife award under the UK’s only scholarship for student nurses and midwives, run by Cavell Nurses’ Trust.
The finalists will be chosen later this month by a panel of judges, comprising leading nurses and midwives, including Professor Lesley Page, president of the Royal College of Midwives. Suzie will be interviewed by the panel, alongside 28 other candidates.
Winners of the top awards will win up to £2,000 to further their professional practice either in this country or internationally, in conjunction with their university.
Previous winners of the scholarships have used these opportunities to study and work in India and Africa, and last year’s winner of the leadership award travelled to the Andes in Peru to help nurse families afflicted by poisoned water courses, as a result of mining activity.
There are five award categories covering academic achievement, outstanding student midwife and nurse, leadership and community. Cavell Nurses’ Trust was formed in 1917 with overwhelming public support following the execution of British nurse Edith Cavell during the First World War.
The charity is urging people to support an online petition, calling for the inspirational nurse to be commemorated next year, the centenary of her death, on a special edition £2 coin, as part of the WW1 series of tributes.
People can support the campaign at www.change.org/|en-GB/petitions/the-british-|treasury-issue-a-2-coin-with-the-face-of-edith-cavell-on-it.
The charity is also running a centenary appeal to raise £3m by next year and double the number of people it supports.