Long Service Award

The Long Service Award is available to all community nurses in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands who fulfil the following criteria:

• A community nurse is eligible for a Long Service Award on completion of 21 years of service working in the community (can be either full-time or part-time), even if some of this time has been in management or education. This is subject to confirmation by the applicant’s employer.
• Post-registration training courses or periods of service overseas that are related to community nursing will be taken into consideration. All applications will be considered on an individual basis.
• Successful applicants will receive a Long Service Badge or Digital Certificate.

Please note:

The number of nurses eligible for the Long Service Award has increased year on year and our previous stock of badges has now been exhausted. We have ordered new badges in 2025, but as you will appreciate the cost of these items has increased significantly since the last time they were made. The gold-plated badges are manufactured in the UK by Thomas Fattorini Ltd. and come in a smart presentation box. The cost of an individual badge is £75, including postage and packing.

As an alternative, we offer Registered Nurses who have 21 years’ experience in the community the option to have a digital certificate only, at a cost of £15.

For all those receiving the Award, we also offer a ‘digital signature’ which you can add to your email signature.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a closing date?

• No. Applications are accepted at any time.

Who can apply?

• Any nurse who has worked in the community for a period of 21 years is eligible to apply. This applies to District Nurses, Community Nurses, Health Visitors, School Nurses, Occupational Health, General Practice Nurses, Community Mental Health, Community LD, nurses working in adult social care and those working in specialist services. Please contact us if you are not sure.

I am retired, can I apply for the Long Service award?

• You can apply if you retired no more than two years before the date of your application and your former manager is able to countersign your application form.

I have only ever worked part-time; can I apply for a Long Service award?

• Yes, you can apply for the Award, regardless if you worked full-time or part-time, as long as you have 21 years of service in the community.

I’m an enrolled nurse working in the community, can I apply?

• Yes. Applications are welcomed from enrolled nurses.

I have completed 21 years of service but have gaps in my employment history, am I still eligible?

• Gaps in service are acceptable providing that total service in community nursing equates to 21 years.

I have been a community staff nurse for 21 years but don’t have a specialist qualification, am I still eligible?

• Yes, additional post-registration qualifications are not necessary in order to apply for the Long Service Award.

I have been trained as a district nurse for over 21 years but have spent some of that time working as a health visitor and midwife as I am dual-trained, am I still eligible?

• Yes, as long as you can demonstrate 21 years working in the community.

I qualified 21 years ago but have spent some of that time working in hospitals, am I still eligible?

• No. Only service as a community nurse will fulfil the criteria – if you have 21 years in total as a community nurse you are eligible.

Do I have to be nominated or can I apply personally?

• Applications must come from the individual nurse.

From what date do I calculate my 21 years service?

• 21 years service must be calculated from the date of commencement in community nursing employment.

Can educators and managers apply for a Long Service award?

• Yes: community nurses with some of their service in education or management are eligible.

What proof do I need to show 21 years of service?

• Photocopy of certificate of successful completion of Nurse training (as RN or EN).
• List of dates and posts held in community nursing, either full or part-time.
• Signature from your current manager to verify your employment history.

I’m a District Nurse working in Scotland, can I apply?

• No. Please contact QNI Scotland, which runs a similar scheme: QNI Scotland

Does service in Scotland count if I’m now working in England?

• Yes, however, if your main residence and career is in Scotland, you should apply to our sister charity, QNI Scotland instead.

What about Wales and Northern Ireland?

• Yes. Applications are welcome from community nurses working in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or Channel Islands.

How much does the Long Service award cost?

• The cost is £75 to include physical certificate, physical badge, digital badge, administration, postage and packaging. Alternatively you can buy a digital certificate only for £15. All Long Service Awardees will also receive a digital signature to use in their email signature. We accept bank payments only. Please email denise.austin@qni.org.uk for details.

Does having a Long Service award make me a Queen’s Nurse or a QNI Fellow?

• No, but you are warmly welcomed to join the QNI community by signing up to newsletters on our website.