East Ayrshire nurse receives Queen’s award
The incredible work of an East Ayrshire nurse has been recognised with a prestigious accolade.
Community Learning Disability Charge Nurse, Zoe Lightbody, was one of eight learning disability specialist nurses from across Scotland who received the QNIS Queen’s Nurse Award, along with 21 other nurses from different nursing fields.
The Queen’s Nurse Award is presented to nurses in recognition of their dedicated work in communities across Scotland, and are selected as a result of employer nomination and subsequent panel interviews.
Each nurse then takes part in a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).
Nurses from this year’s cohort participated in a week-long residential workshop, coaching sessions and two further workshops before each selecting a specific issue for development. Each nurse commits to developing their chosen issue, which will have an impact on their practice and benefit their community.
The learning disability cohort are working together on a joint issue for development to support those with a learning disability who find themselves involved in the criminal justice system.
Throughout the programme, there is an emphasis on self-care, deep reflection and connecting participants with their creativity.
The awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 24th November at Edinburgh’s Sheraton Grand Hotel and was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate learning disability nursing. During the proceedings, each nurse received a Queen’s Nurse badge, designed by Silversmiths Ortak, a certificate hand signed by QNIS Patron HM The Queen, and a specially commissioned Harris Tweed sash.
Zoe was understandably delighted at receiving such esteemed recognition:
“I still have the biggest smile on my face. The QNIS programme has been such an amazing experience and I feel so privileged to have had this opportunity.”
“Our learning disability cohort will continue the journey throughout 2022 by completing a project on Criminal Justice & Learning Disabilities. I look forward to telling everyone more very soon.”
Congratulations to Zoe on her remarkable achievement – thoroughly deserved!
To read more about the QNIS Award, visit their website.