Queensland nurses, midwives, aged care staff and the public are being urged to support frontline health workers named as finalists in the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.
QNMU Secretary Beth Mohle said members named as finalists – and all Queensland nurses, midwives and aged care staff – deserved support and recognition during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and every day.
Ms Mohle said these staff worked daily to protect Queenslanders in often intense and challenging circumstances. She said 10 highly skilled nurses and midwives had been selected as finalists as part of the QNMU’s third annual awards’ event.
The finalists include a Nurse Leader in First Nations health, an Assistant Director of Nursing specialising in Emergency, a Director of Midwifery, a Nurse Practitioner, a Registered Nurse and Midwife, a Clinical Nurse, a Mental Health Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner specialising in heart disease.
“Today the QNMU is calling on Queenslanders, healthcare workers and QNMU members to vote for a finalist and support the excellent work underway state-wide,’’ Ms Mohle said.
“The QNMU wants to highlight the amazing work of members who continue to provide innovative and quality care both during COVID-19 and every day. The great work of these members must be acknowledged and celebrated.”
She said finalists were experts in their fields and displayed incredible passion and hard work.
The finalists are:
Excellence in Leadership and Governance Award, supported by QSuper: Assistant Director of Nursing Karen Taurima at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) Emergency Department (ED) and Metro South Health CAREPACT Service, Nursing Director Kelly Trudgen with Queensland Health’s (QH) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Division and Director of Midwifery Dr Jocelyn Toohill from the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (OCNMO).
The Aunty Dulcie Flower and Aunty Gracelyn Smallwood Award, supported by Hesta: Cairns Hospital Registered Nurse Jeremy James Rigney.
Early Career Award, supported by RemServ: Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) Mental Health Inpatient Services (MHIS) Mental Health Nurse Nicole Wright, The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Registered Nurse (RN) Ruby Geddes and SCUH RN Genevieve See.
Positive Practice Environment Champion Award, supported by QNMU Law: The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) Nurse Practitioner (NP) Dr Haunnah Rheault, Tieri Family Unit and Child Health Centre Registered Nurse and Midwife Sue Hall and Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department (ED) Clinical Nurse (CN) Tiarne Campbell.
Finalists have a chance to win part of a total prize pool of $21,000, which will be put towards further professional development for the winning nurses and/or midwives. Voting for the People’s Choice Award is now underway and members of the public and QNMU members can
vote here.
The QNMU’s People’s Choice Award allows the public to vote for the finalist they believe most clearly demonstrates their contribution to a positive practice environment in their workplace. The winner will receive $1000, to be used for professional development opportunities.
For more information on finalists, how to vote and the awards visit
www.qnmu.org.au/Awards
Voting closes on October 7. All voters will automatically enter the draw to win one of five $50 Coles/Myer gift cards. Winners will be announced during a live ceremony at the Tivoli Theatre in Brisbane on October 28 August 2022.
The QNMU’s awards began in 2020 and aim to highlight positive professional practice environments linked to improved care quality and outcomes.
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