The prestigious South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards ceremony, which takes place on Thursday 23rd May 2024 at Magna, Rotherham, celebrates the achievements of outstanding apprentices across the region. The University has a history of success at these awards, with 2023 Health and Public Services Apprentice of the Year winner, Gurpreet Singh, also hailing from the University of Sheffield.
This year it’s student Nursing Associates Serrina Cooper and Rebecca (Becky) Armstrong who find themselves nominated in the Health and Public Services Apprentice of the Year category. They join Rachel Atkinson, a Project Support Officer at NHS England hosted through the University of Sheffield, who has made the Mentor of the Year shortlist.
For Serrina, this second nomination comes off the success of a commendation for her work at Roundhay Road Surgery in Leeds, at the similarly glamorous West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards ceremony, which took place on Thursday 9th May 2024.
Her tutors commented on her commitment across all elements of the course, in particular her professional values, work ethic and willingness to help others on her course.
Serrina said: “I would like to say, I’m honestly surprised and overwhelmed at the nomination, and my commendation earlier this month. It’s a wonderful feeling to be recognised for doing something you love.”
Fellow nominee and final year student, Becky Armstrong, works in paediatric mental health at Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She began the Nursing Associate apprenticeship in 2021, having worked as a Support Worker for the past ten years. Becky was nominated by her clinical educator, Sophie Morton, for her enthusiasm and motivation for the role, and the person-centred care she provides.
Becky explained: “After my first year of training, I received a cancer diagnosis and had to take a year off from my studies. Thankfully I had a good outcome, and I was able to return to the course in October 2022 for my second year. I think I am quite a resilient person and have tried to stay positive, so it’s been really nice to get some recognition for how hard I’ve worked.”
Becky has already secured a permanent position supporting children with long term ventilation needs, which she plans to start in October after graduation.
I’m really excited to be staying with my current employer and have that continuation of employment. Honestly, the whole course has been brilliant. As a mature student with grown-up children and an established life, it’s been good to be paid all the way through my studies. The support has been incredible too, and I feel like both the University and my employer have really invested in me.
Becky Armstrong
Student Nurse Associate
Rachel Atkinson, also a graduate of the University’s Nursing Associate programme, has been described as a ‘credit to any team she works within’ in her role advocating for and supporting apprentices throughout their training.
Of her Mentor of the Year nomination, Rachel said: “To be honest I already feel like a winner even to be nominated! The fact that my hard work has been recognised is amazing. I would of course love to win (who wouldn't) but the students, the University of Sheffield and the partnerships already make me feel like I am a winner.
“I am proud of the relationships I have built with students and external partners, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support and mentor the next generation of nursing associates. I am confident that my experiences and approach have had a positive impact on those I have had the privilege to work with not only for them but for me too.”
Judith Sephton, Programme Lead for the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship at the University of Sheffield, said: “The apprenticeship team at the School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery are both pleased and proud to have three of our students (past and present) nominated for these awards. Within the School, we pride ourselves on our level of student support. This takes the form of a first-class academic teaching team plus a team of clinical educators who visit the students in the workplace and provide outstanding support which facilitates the application of theoretical knowledge into their everyday clinical practice.”
What is a nursing associate?
A nursing associate is a member of the nursing team in England that helps bridge the gap between health and care assistants and registered nurses. Nursing associates work with people of all ages, in a variety of settings in health and social care. The role contributes to the core work of nursing, freeing up registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical care. It's a stand-alone role that also provides a route to progress into graduate level nursing.