Prestigious nursing award for high achiever
A Teesside University graduate is the proud recipient of a prestigious nursing award presented to high-achieving students.
Returning to Teesside University after graduating from the BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Adult) in 2018, Hayley Adams completed a district nursing professional apprenticeship this year.
She has now received the Philip Goodeve-Docker Memorial Prize from The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), an award presented to top-performing students from universities across the country.
Hayley, 27, from Hartlepool, was nominated by Teesside University for her outstanding work as part of the first cohort on the course.
She said: “I was told I received the award because I had the most potential to enhance the district nursing profession. Obviously, I was absolutely buzzing.
“I was feeling a bit down after coming back from a holiday to Ibiza and arriving home to rainy Hartlepool, so seeing that award in the post honestly made my day.
“All of my colleagues on the apprenticeship were amazing, so it was an absolute honour to receive the Philip Goodeve-Docker Memorial Prize.”
Hayley was a fully qualified Community Staff Nurse for North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation NHS Trust before progressing to the role of District Nursing Sister upon completion of the professional apprenticeship.
She said: “We deliver all sorts of care, but the palliative and end-of-life care is most important for me. There’s no better feeling than when you’ve made somebody comfortable in their own home, and families are so appreciative of the work we do.”
Hayley was excited to return to Teesside University, adding: “I was supported completely throughout my studies. I honestly can’t thank all of my tutors enough for their patience and the kindness that they’ve shown.
“They’ve been amazing, and I wouldn’t have received this award without their support and that of my employer, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
“The campus has grown and grown, even since I graduated in 2018. It’s got so many new buildings, and it’s such a modern university.
“I wouldn’t change anything about my time at Teesside University.
“It’s been the best decision I ever made. I would recommend it to anyone – I even recommended it to my own family. My little sister is studying midwifery now.”
Teesside University’s vast professional apprenticeship offering prepares students for successful careers in industry with a combination of academic work and practical experience, and its higher apprenticeships have been recognised as ‘outstanding’ in an Ofsted rating.
Rachel Doubleday, Senior Lecturer in Community & Childhood Studies at Teesside University’s School of Health & Life Sciences, said: “Hayley showed so much dedication to her studies, her career and district nursing throughout her time at Teesside University and continues to do so within her professional role. This prize is richly deserved.”
The Philip Goodeve-Docker Memorial Prize was established to commemorate its namesake, a man who tragically lost his life after getting trapped in a polar storm during a 400-mile trek to fundraise for the QNI.