National award shortlistings recognise nursing excellence

The University is in the running for four prizes at the Student Nursing Times Awards
Jenita Loheswaran Nursing Associate
The University of Plymouth has been shortlisted in four categories of national nursing awards – with one student nominated in no fewer than three.
The University is in the running for the inaugural Nursing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year prize at the Student Nursing Times Awards – which celebrate quality in all specialities of student nursing.
Meanwhile Jenita Loheswaran is shortlisted for Student Nurse of the Year (Adult); Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs; and the Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion.
The latest shortlists follow Plymouth’s win in 2022 for Nursing Associate Training Programme Provider of the Year , and the 2024 winners will be announced at a ceremony in Park Lane, London on Friday 26 April.
The degree apprenticeship award recognises the breadth of the University’s nursing degree apprenticeship provision, across undergraduate and postgraduate, and incorporates all three of its teaching sites in Plymouth, Truro and Exeter.
Studying BSc Nursing at the University’s Truro campus, Jenita is currently working as a Nursing Associate at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
She also has a Biomedical Sciences degree from the University, and studied as a degree apprentice for her Nursing Associate qualification.
She said: “I’m blown away to have been shortlisted in three categories of the Student Nursing Times Awards. I’m passionate about diversity in healthcare, so it’s wonderful to be recognised in this way.
“The best thing about my training is seeing the positive impact I can have on people’s lives every day – whether they’re patients, families, or fellow students. I’m having a great learning experience so far and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
The University of Plymouth has the largest range of healthcare courses in the South West, with degree apprenticeships one of the many ways that it is looking to recruit and inspire the healthcare workforce of the future.

We are so thrilled to be shortlisted for Nursing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year, as we’re incredibly proud of our degree apprenticeship offer and collegiate relationship with our partners in the South West and beyond. We’re incredibly proud of Jenita too – being shortlisted once is amazing but three times is outstanding, and truly reflective of the hard work she puts into her training.

Caroline JamisonMrs Caroline Jamison
Associate Professor and Academic Lead for the Nursing Degree Apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships enable employees to study for a degree in a field related to their job while maintaining their employment. Depending on the size of the business, the cost of study is either partly funded by the government or met through an apprenticeship levy.

Our nursing degree apprenticeship programmes are contemporary, flexible and accessible providing apprentices with the opportunity to remain in salaried employment whilst studying for a work integrated degree at foundation, degree or masters level in adult health, child health or mental health nursing.

Ultimately, it’s another way to grow a sustainable workforce that meets the needs of our local population and the ambitions outlined in the NHS Long term workforce plan. 

Jacqueline FranklinMiss Jacqueline Franklin
Apprenticeship and Higher Level Skills Manager

A young male nurse stands in a busy hospital ward. Image courtesy of Getty Images.