Amy is just what the Doctor ordered

A prize that is awarded annually to the most promising, caring, and sympathetic children's nurse has been won by Edge Hill University's Amy Bonney from St Helens.

Amy, 21, received the Joanne Leadbetter Prize during a unique ceremony at Edge Hill, that also saw Professor Tanya Byron installed as the University's first ever Chancellor.

Amy, who is currently working in the neonatal unit at Ormskirk Hospital caring for four babies, had always dreamed of becoming a children's nurse.

Amy said: "When I was young, about nine or 10-years-old, I used to watch a series on television about the Great Ormond Street children's hospital. I thought the nurses were amazing and I thought then that it was a job that I would love to do. That dream never left me and after leaving school I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

"I studied for a BSc (Hons) in child nursing and I am now a staff nurse doing what I love best which is working with babies and helping to support their parents through what can sometimes be really testing times."

Amy's Mum, Janet Bonney, said: "We are just so proud of Amy. She has worked so hard for this and it just shows you that hard work and determination can get you where you want to be."

During her three years at Edge Hill University, Amy completed 10 placements which included time in A & E at Alder Hey Hospital and at the Special Care Baby Unit in Whiston Hospital as well as placement as a community nurse in Speke.

Senior Lecturer and personal tutor to Amy, Pat Hosgood said: "Often parents and children need support and understanding from their nurse in what can be stressful and confusing situations. Emotions can run very high when a child is taken to hospital for whatever reason. 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. To effectively work with children and their families, children's nurses must have essential core skills: be kind, caring, and empathic and have excellent communication skills-Amy has all of these skills in abundance.

"Amy demonstrated time and again the compassion and understanding that it takes to be an outstanding paediatric nurse. Her knowledge and communication skills are second to none-an observation made by more than one professional during her placements."

The Joanne Leadbetter Prize was founded in memory of a promising nursing student at Edge Hill University, who sadly died in 1995. Joanne's family donated money to the University to start the award that would commemorate her life and help recognise exemplary work from students during their placements.

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