With several nominations received from across the country, Paula stood out with a unanimous judges’ vote for her enthusiasm and compassion.
The Practice Supervisor of the Year award is in recognition of a practice supervisor, who has demonstrated empathy with their student, adapting their coaching methods to suit the individual, and providing an environment that encourages questions, informed debate and learning.
As a practice supervisor, Paula is responsible for supporting and supervising students in practice to achieve specific competencies needed to complete their training, as part of Nursing and Midwifery Council requirements.
The judges applauded Paula for her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication to enhancing the student experience. She was called a truly inspiring role model and leader for bringing authenticity, humility and strength.
The Ingleby Barwick resident was also praised for continually identifying areas for growth in herself and those around her and was dubbed a ‘gatekeeper to the nursing profession’ for exemplifying the very best in practice supervision.
In her role as a practice supervisor, Paula has focused on prioritising her students’ mental wellbeing as they learn the ropes of nursing.
She said: “After working through the COVID-19 pandemic, I could see that students were very overwhelmed, unsupported and undervalued.
“They were treated as workers as opposed to learners due to staffing issues and time constraints, which made it harder for them to understand nursing concepts. On reflection, students needed to be supported emotionally and mentally to prevent burnout.
After several discussions with various students, I made it my mission to encourage them to have regular collaborative reflection by enabling a two-way feedback structure. This allowed them to share their thoughts and suggestions with me whilst permitting me to share constructive feedback with our students.
“This approach helped develop skills and promoted mutual respect, which was useful to both the supervisor and the learner.”
Paula qualified as a registered nurse in 2008 after graduating from Teesside University. She instantly secured a role as a staff nurse in the general surgery department at James Cook.
After a rewarding eight years, she decided to move to the hospital’s cardiac intensive care team, and ever since, she has been supported and encouraged throughout her professional journey by her team.
She added: “I am overwhelmed that I have received an award in an area I am so passionate about! “I would also like to thank the nursing educators Joanna Iceton, Alice Barnard and Robbie Famisan, who have encouraged and supported me.
“They have always provided a friendly, supportive and safe learning environment for all students and I feel blessed and lucky to be in a job which I love and adore every day. A big thank you also goes out to all the students I have had the pleasure of teaching over 17 years.”
Clinical educator Joanne Iceton said: “The education team from the cardiothoracic critical care unit is extremely proud of Paula’s recent achievement at the Student Nursing Times Awards. She deserves this recognition and we are proud of her.
“The nomination came from many individual students’ reports, including adult nursing students and paramedic students and RNDAs (registered nurse degree apprenticeship) students, to name a few.”