Student Experience team shortlisted for Nursing Times Workforce Award
Congratulations to our Student Experience Team who have been shortlisted for the 2026 Nursing Times Workforce Awards! The team has been recognised for its 'Bridging the Gap' programme, which supports newly qualified nurses as they transition into practice.
The shortlisted programme was developed with Kingston University to help nursing students build the skills and confidence they need to start work after qualifying. Students and healthcare professionals helped shape the course, identifying the practical skills and knowledge needed to feel ready for the workplace.
Over the course of one year (2023-2024), Bridging the Gap supported 229 students across six cohorts to improve their confidence in high-risk skills following a 3-day intensive course on practical, safety-critical skills including medicines management, risk assessment, care planning and escalation.
The course has already led to improvements in patient safety outcomes at the Trust, has supported with retention of new graduates, and fostered psychological safety and a positive learning culture.
Hanne Stevnsborg, Evaluation Lead, and Ruth Odukale, Band 2-4 Nursing Workforce Lead, said: "Being shortlisted for a Nursing Times Workforce Award is wonderful recognition of a nurse-led programme, developed by Ruth back in 2023, which has grown through the dedication, creativity and commitment of colleagues across the Trust and our university partners.
“Guided by feedback from our student nurses and colleagues, it has been incredibly rewarding to see Bridging the Gap evolve and support so many students into qualification.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of everyone involved in creating a supportive and positive experience for our future registered nurses, especially our former team manager, Dan Brown, whose encouragement and belief in the programme helped bring it to life. We are excited to see how the programme develops in future and the opportunities it will continue to create."
The Nursing Times Workforce Awards 2026 will be held on Tuesday 24 November at Hilton London Metropole.
