Team North Ward Sister among the winners at RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is celebrating success at the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year awards.
Antrim Area Hospital Ward Sister Nuala O’Connell was the winner of the Team Manager Award, while four other colleagues (Maria Betts, Kathy Soutar, Nerell Browne and Emily Morgan) were runners-up in their categories on the night.
The prestigious awards provide an opportunity to highlight excellence within nursing in Northern Ireland and the contribution that nursing staff make to the health and well-being of our communities.
Nuala leads a team of 40 staff across a busy surgical ward and emergency assessment unit, where she is highly regarded for motivating and supporting her team while maintaining high standards of care.
Her nominator stated: “Nuala truly is an amazing asset to the service and continually champions for patients and staff.”
Congratulating Nuala, and all Team North colleagues recognised on the night, Gill Murphy, Interim Executive Director of Nursing, said: “These awards are a real highlight every year for the nursing family across Northern Ireland. We are very proud to see Team North leading the way as role models within the profession, delivering high quality, innovative and person-centred compassionate care, while also contributing to and leading service transformation.
“To Nuala, and all our nominees, your dedication, professionalism and commitment to improving outcomes for patients, families and communities is truly inspiring. Recognition at this level is richly deserved, and I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude, for the positive difference you make every day.”
Nuala O’Connell – Team Manager Award winner
In her role, Nuala consistently demonstrates her ability to motivate, support and develop staff whilst achieving the delivery of a high standard of care to patients.
She introduced ‘Handle With Care’, an initiative that encourages staff who may be struggling due to personal or work-related circumstances to confidentially reach out to a colleague for support. This approach ensures individuals feel supported and safe in the workplace, contributing to both improved staff wellbeing and the overall quality of patient care.
Staff development is central to Nuala’s priorities. She provides daily feedback and consistently seeks out opportunities to support staff growth—whether through leading and facilitating ward-based teaching sessions or holding reflective debriefs following events or incidents. Recently, Nuala has initiated the introduction of flexible visiting for the benefit of patients and their relatives.
Maria Betts – Palliative Care Award runner-up
Maria supports district nurses in their palliative care keyworker role, ensuring that care is co-ordinated and individualised, based on the needs of the patient and their family. The RCN described her as autonomous practitioner, with advanced assessment, diagnostic, analytical and clinical judgement skills, providing symptom management, cultural sensitivity, and spiritual and emotional support.
Positive feedback from her district nursing colleagues, patients and their families demonstrates the impact of the support and knowledge she provides.
Maria’s commitment to quality palliative and end of life care ensures that patients and their families experience positive palliative journeys.
Kathy Soutar – Patient’s Choice Award runner-up
Kathy was nominated by a patient who commends how the care she provided was shaped around the patient as an individual, rather than around a system, a checklist, or ‘what was expected.
The patient said: “Mental health nursing is not always visible, but it is profoundly demanding work. It requires emotional strength, patience, and the ability to sit with distress, uncertainty, and deeply personal life stories, often without immediate answers. The importance of this work cannot be overstated.
“Kathy carried this responsibility with compassion, gentleness and grace. I am not sure Kathy ever truly knew the impact she had on me, and I am certain I am not the only person she has supported in this way.”
The judging panel commended Kathy’s capacity to put the patient at the centre of care and her determination to build and sustain trusting relationships with those to whom she provides support.
Nerell Browne and Emily Morgan – Learning in Practice Award runner-up
Nerell and Emily support newly-qualified nurses within the Northern Trust’s Medicine Division. Feedback reflects their professionalism, passion for nurse education and drive to ensure that all newly-qualified nurses receive a rewarding preceptorship experience. A ward manager commented “Nerell and Emily are very visible on the ward and offer support to all involved in the preceptorship process, including the ward managers. The support that they give is invaluable”.
A newly-qualified nurse added: “Emily’s support has been amazing and comforting. I’ve only been in post for two weeks and I am really happy with all the support I have received. Nerell has been very supportive. She shows empathy and compassion, which is very much appreciated”.
5th June 2026
