Star Student Nurse Scoops Prize

A special prize for children's nursing at Edge Hill University has been awarded to Lorraine Bulger for her exceptional performance in her work placements.

Lorraine, 33, from West Derby in Liverpool, was awarded the Joanne Leadbetter Prize for Practice, which marks the most promising, caring and sympathetic child branch student nurse graduating that year.

Lorraine, who is now working on the children's ward at Whiston Hospital, entered nursing after working for United Utilities as a project co-ordinator, after deciding she needed to make a career change. Following advice from friends, she enrolled on the degree course at Edge Hill and went into child nursing.

Lorraine says, "Winning the prize was a complete shock and I wasn't expecting it at all - I didn't even realise I had been nominated! I was so happy to have my work recognised like this and you can't put a price on having an award like that - it really is invaluable."

"I really enjoy working with children as they give a lot back. I'm so glad I made the change to nursing as I feel I'm in a career that has a real impact on people's lives."

The prize is in memory of a former promising nursing student at the University called Joanne Leadbetter, who sadly died in 1995.

Joanne's family donated money to the University to start an award that would commemorate her life and help recognise exemplary work from students on clinical placements. Students are nominated by their personal tutor and must demonstrate a high standard of care for children and their families during a clinical practice placement and show promising progression in communication, empathic and caring skills in their placement report.

Anita Flynn, the Academic Lead for Child Branch Nursing at Edge Hill University, said: "Children are most at ease in their home environment. Once they enter a clinic, accident and emergency department or ward environment they often experience confusion, anxiety and stress. The effects of an ill child on a family may also include fear, helplessness, anxiety, stress, anger and guilt."

"Children's nurses must be kind, empathic, caring and have excellent communication skills. We had a difficult task selecting a winner from the many nominations. However, Lorraine is a very worthy winner for the first Joanne Leadbetter prize and will be a wonderful ambassador for children's nursing".

For further press information please contact:

Mary Bernia Public Relations Officer Tel: 01695 584509 Email mary.bernia@edgehill.ac.uk