Nurse of the Year Winners 2021

In an exciting virtual ceremony on Wednesday 10 November 2021, we celebrated the outstanding achievements of our award finalists, including their positive influence on best nursing practice and improving the care given to individuals and communities in Wales. Read on to find out about the inspiring work our 2021 winners and runners up were nominated for.

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Kirsty John is named RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2021!

Kirsty is a committed prison nurse at HMP Cardiff whose dedication has had a powerful impact on the health care team during the most testing of periods. She demonstrated effective leadership in supporting prison and health care colleagues throughout the pandemic, even when the nursing team was depleted due to the virus. 

Kirsty worked with colleagues to dispense medication across all clinical areas. She led the COVID-19 testing system for all men arriving in custody, and created a vaccination hub within the prison, offering new arrivals the vaccine within seven days and helping to make the prison a safer place. 

Her previous experience working as a community substance misuse nurse gave her the skills to address the needs of those with addictions. Kirsty also liaised with the blood borne virus community team to identify cases of hepatitis C, and began treatment to eliminate the virus where possible.

Kirsty is highly respected by staff and prisoners alike and is devoted to improving the lives of people in her care; not only in prevention, but also in keeping people fit and safe when they are in prison and improving long-term health.

Commenting on Kirsty's win, RCN Wales Director, Helen Whyley, said: “RCN Wales members work within the prison setting to provide crucial clinical care and compassionate support for some of the most vulnerable individuals within society. RCN Wales members ensure that the population of Welsh prisons has access to health and social care services. Kirsty is dedicated to ensuring high levels of dignified care for this group. She is an admirable individual and a worthy winner of the Wales Nurse of the Year Award 2021 and I would like to extend my congratulations not just to Kirsty but to all the award winners and shortlisted nominees.”