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OU Nursing student wins NIPEC award for student excellence

The Northern Ireland Practice Education Council for Nursing & Midwifery (NIPEC) presented a new award for Student Excellence to student nurse with The Open University, Bincy Augustine.  This award recognises how the student demonstrates professionalism in practice, person-centred care in practice, and a commitment to academic and theoretical learning, whilst remaining professional in challenging circumstances.

Bincy currently works for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust as a Senior Care Assistant in Older Peoples residential care services.  Awaiting her final results of her Mental Health Nursing Degree, Bincy has been chosen as the worthy recipient of this award as she has demonstrated beyond the criteria of this award where her nominators noted her commitment to ‘demonstrating compassionate care and having a respectful approach to clients, families, and colleagues, whilst working with others to ensure high standards of care and striving to ensure the best outcomes for clients.  Bincy leads by example in a professional and supportive manner.

Working with service users who have a diagnosis of dementia, Bincy demonstrates compassion and care by leading by example and ensuring high standards of care to clients by liaising with other professionals and carers on their behalf.

Sam McMahon, Bincy’s manager, who nominated her for the award said “Working in mental health does quite often have significant challenges, especially throughout the global pandemic.  Bincy rose to the challenge and did not shy away from difficult situations.  Bincy has shown effective leadership skills and has helped guide and lead the team on occasions.”

On receipt of her award Bincy commented; “I was very nervous, and I haven't expected to receive this award today, but I'm over the moon and I'm delighted. I know all the hard work paid off in a fantastic way.”

Evelyn Mooney, Professional Lead Nursing NI in The Open University said “The panel noted that all the students’ nominators recognised how all the students demonstrated resilience during the Covid 19 pandemic and their commitment to balancing academic commitments whilst supporting their colleagues to ensure that patient care was delivered safely and effectively “.

The panel also recognised 4 other students who were awarded highly commended for their efforts academically and in practice including, Sarah Jane Nicoletti (Hutchinson Care Homes), Jacqueline Young (Hutchinson Care Homes), Katie Burns (Belfast HSCT) and Bobby Scott (South Eastern HSCT).

In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the organisation, NIPEC is providing an annual award to each of the three local universities in Northern Ireland, which includes The Open University. 

Linda Kelly, Chief Executive of NIPEC said; “This is an opportunity for NIPEC to recognise our students’ achievements throughout their training, their professionalism and how they complement the multidisciplinary team through delivering competent and compassionate care to our patients, clients, and their families. NIPEC are delighted to support these students as our leaders and clinicians for the future.”

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