A Leicester student has been shortlisted for two national awards.
Bethan Jones is a finalist in two categories in the Student Nursing Times awards, for clinical research and for work with children.
She said: “I think research is really important in nursing, and I think there needs to be more nurse-led research.
“I also think we need people to think about research at the start of their careers – nursing research tends to happen towards the end of a nurse’s career, and I think there needs to be younger people in research in general.
“I really like things that are patient-focussed.”
Bethan, 25, originally from Nottingham, is carrying out a master’s degree in nursing and leadership at the University of Leicester. As part of her studies she has undertaken placements with both Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, and with University Hospitals of Leicester.
At LPT she helped design a four-week placement which will help future nursing students get their first taste of research, which in turn will help them to deliver better care for patients. She will be discussing the initiative at a nursing conference later this year, and evaluating it for an academic publication.
Claire Armitage from LPT’s clinical academic team nominated Bethan for one of the awards. Claire said: “She is an outstanding advocate for nursing research and we are sure that she has a bright career ahead of her.
“Whichever way Bethan’s career takes her, we are confident that she will be an impactful advocate for clinical research and academia and a worthy winner of this award.”
Once her studies are completed this autumn she hopes to take up a place working with LPT’s children and adolescent mental health teams.
Bethan faces a grilling from two panels of experts before the Student Nursing Times judges make up their minds. The awards will be announced on 28 April 2023 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, London.