National recognition for UEA Nursing student and lecturers
By: Communications
A nursing student and two lecturers from the School of Health Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have been recognised nationally for their commitment, innovation and dedication to improving care for children, young people and their families.
Gabriella Nshirahene, a final year BSc Children and Young People’s Nursing student, has been shortlisted as Student Nurse of the Year – Children in the Student Nursing Times Awards.
UEA lecturer Joe Ellis-Gage has been shortlisted as University Educator of the Year and Associate Professor Teresa Johnson has been shortlisted for Teaching Innovation of the Year.
Gabriella Nshirahene (Student Nurse of the Year – Children shortlist)
Gabriella has been shortlisted in recognition of her commitment to excellence, ability to inspire others and dedication to providing compassionate care for all.
From her role as a course representative to support fellow students, as a dedicated fundraiser and highly accomplished nursing student, Gabriella is recognised as ‘a role model for her peers’.
One of her defining qualities is her unwavering passion for addressing racial inequalities, as shown through her work in her final year dissertation project. She is deeply committed to creating a more equitable healthcare environment, ensuring that children and families from all backgrounds feel valued and supported.
She said: "I am truly honoured by this recognition and deeply grateful for the support from the Children and Young People’s team. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited for what lies ahead!"
Ellie-May Taylor, Course Director for Children and Young People’s Nursing at UEA, said: "Gabriella is an outstanding student nurse. She embodies the values and spirit of the profession and will undoubtedly continue to make a significant impact throughout her career."
Joe Ellis-Gage (University Educator of the Year shortlist)
Joe qualified as a Children’s Nurse in 2008 and began working in the Accident and Emergency Department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He has held various clinical and specialist nurse roles and during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, he managed the Children’s Emergency Department and Children’s Assessment Unit/COVID in-patient ward.
He joined UEA as a lecturer in 2021 as part of the Children and Young People’s Nursing team.
At UEA, Joe is the force behind a hugely successful critical incident two-day simulation event which brings together some 200 people – including external partners, local schools, staff and students – to play the roles of patients and bystanders. The simulation, which most recently focused on the unfolding crisis and aftermath of a bus crash, challenges final year nursing students in their clinical assessment, decision making and leadership skills by putting them to the test under pressure.
He said: "I was very surprised to hear I had been nominated for Educator of the Year, let alone shortlisted. I work in a team of academics, administrative and technical staff who work well together to bring out the best in one another.
"I am fortunate that with their support, I’m able to help students in their learning and development as they prepare to become registered nurses. It is, of course, the students who do the real hard work throughout their time with us."
Julia Hubbard, Professor of Clinical Health Education, said: "Joe is an excellent role model that students and academics seek to emulate. He is approachable, knowledgeable, has a ‘can do’ attitude and his module is always very popular with our students.
"I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Educator of the Year Award."
Teresa Johnson (Teaching Innovation of the Year shortlist)
Teresa is shortlisted for the Teaching Innovation Award for ‘Escape Room Simulation the Golden Hour of Paediatric Sepsis’.
It combines high-fidelity immersive simulation with the concept of timed escape room activities. Working in small groups, students assess a presenting child using an ABCDE approach to determine sepsis risk factors. Students then use teamwork and problem solving to complete activities to manage the care of the child, using the Sepsis 6, within a timed ‘Golden Hour’.
Teresa has extensive clinical experience as a children and young people’s nurse in paediatric critical care and clinical education. She has an MSc in Paediatric Advanced Practice and Strategic Leadership, is an independent prescriber and worked as a paediatric cardiac advanced nurse practitioner at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
During the first year of COVID-19, she worked as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Children’s Assessment Unit at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital alongside a full-time lecturing position. Teresa joined UEA as a lecturer in 2017 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2023.
She said: "I am pleased to be shortlisted for this award. It is a special teaching and learning concept that develops clinical knowledge and skills alongside the challenges of family centred care, teamwork, communication and problem solving.
"It is recognised that detecting and managing children with sepsis in the Golden Hour saves lives and students are now equipped to transfer these skills into clinical practice."
Chris Burton, UEA's Dean of Health Sciences, said: "This is fantastic news and wonderful recognition for the students and staff in our School of Health Sciences.
"These examples of dedication, innovation and a focus on improving care really underline both the values of our School and those of the nursing profession. I am very proud and wish them the best for the awards."
The Nursing Times Student Nursing Awards honour the achievements of the upcoming generations of nurses and their mentors. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Friday 2 May.
Study Children and Young People's Nursing at UEA
With the highest ranking in the East of England for nursing and midwifery in the Complete University Guide, UEA offers undergraduate courses in adult nursing, children and young people’s nursing and mental health nursing alongside apprenticeships and a range of postgraduate courses and professional qualifications.
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