International Community Nurse of the Year Award

The International Community Nurse of the Year Award celebrates the contribution of community nurses who did their first nurse training outside the UK.

The award is given to one Registered Nurse working in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, each year.

Thank you for your interest; applications are now closed and will reopen in summer 2025. 

Criteria for Nominees

Nominees must meet the following criteria:

• Registered as a Nurse with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Originally trained and registered as a nurse outside of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
• Resident and working as a Registered Nurse in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, for a minimum of one year
• Working in any community setting – including a community hospital, general practice and adult social care/care home
• Holding in a substantive position (either part-time or full-time) for at least one year.

Evidence of Success

Here are some examples of the information that QNI assessors are looking for:

• Demonstrates excellent patient care at all times (e.g. patient and/or peer feedback to employer/manager)
• Shows commitment to community nursing (e.g. through learning, continuing professional development)
• Contributes to service improvements for patients, carers and/or staff
• Demonstrates professional integrity, acts as a role model and supports other team members.

If you have any questions about the Award, please contact Dr Amanda Young at amanda.young@qni.org.uk .

2024 Award Winner

• Ferdinand Esteban

Ferdinand has worked as a Tissue Viability Nurse for 3 years and worked in the community for 10 years. He is committed to enhancing healthcare standards and empowering his fellow nurses. A true advocate for professional development, Ferdinand’s greatest strength lies in his fervent passion for teaching and mentoring those around him. Others in the team look to him as a role model and strive to have the level of knowledge and passion he has.

Previous Award Winners

• 2023 Noor Ul Haq

Noor Ul Haq joined Leeds Community Healthcare Trust in 2021 after working in a care home. Since joining the trust, Noor has worked as a trainer with nurses, clinical support workers, and nursing associates in the integrated neighbourhood teams. In early 2023, Noor joined the Clinical Education team and took on the role of Pastoral Support Officer. He works closely with the International Nursing Steering group to support Internationally Educated Nurses, working with them to ensure they feel settled and welcome in their new teams. Noor has first-hand experience of what it is like to arrive in a different country, settle his family, adjust to a new healthcare system but also how to utilise the skills developed over his working life.

• 2022 Ananthu Ashok. Read our 2022 press release here.
• 2021 Marc Rodriguera and Dennis Singson. Read our 2021 press release here.