University News Last updated 30 January 2013
Mental Health Nursing student Jodie Kirby has been crowned as Birmingham City University’s very own Student Mental Health Nurse of the year.
The competition, open to all final-year students on mental health nursing courses, aimed to celebrate the drive and commitment of students and the skills needed in order to nurse this often hard to reach group.
Finalists were nominated by either personal tutors or practice mentors from the local NHS Trust, with the winner decided by a panel of judges including a nurse consultant and a practice placement manager from the NHS Trust, as well as two first year BSc students.
Jodie, who is studying the Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, was crowned as the winner in recognition of her commitment to learning and development, and the use of her skills to make a real difference to the lives of mental health service users.
She said: “It has been overwhelming; I can’t believe that I have won the award. The awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of all students on the course and I am so proud to be able to represent the university.”
Jodie will be continuing with her studies at Birmingham City University where she will top up her diploma to degree level. After graduating she hopes to secure a post within Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust.
Senior lecturer Andrew Walsh said: “This was the first year we have held the competition and the standard of interview was genuinely excellent – it was a tough decision, all of the students who entered would make brilliant ambassadors for the University.”
Fellow students Gemma Macken and Nadia Ali were awarded second and third place and will join Jodie in entering the national competition, organised by the Student Nursing Times.