A MOLD man is amongst several Welsh nursing experts to been nominated for a national award.

Stephen Prydderch is one of the finalists who has been shortlisted in the Educator of the Year category in the Student Nursing Times Awards 2019.

He joins the shortlist for the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards 2019 with 11 Welsh nurses, mentors, educators, universities and organisations spread across its 21 categories.

He said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a real honour, particularly given the calibre and expertise of the other nominees. It is also marvellous to see so many from Wales shortlisted in the different categories, especially considering there was an unprecedented number of entrants this year from across the UK.

“I would like to wish the very best of luck to all of those nominated for awards.”

The 34-year-old is a former Bangor University student who has returned to his alma mater as a lecturer in adult nursing based at the institution’s Wrexham campus having previously worked in a variety of primary care nursing positions in the Wrexham area for Betsy Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Stephen said that he took on the position of director of student engagement at the university last year because he wanted to work closer to and in partnership with students and suspects that might be one reason why he has nominated me for the award.

He added: “As an undergraduate, I was extremely passionate about education. I absolutely loved studying. With ten years’ experience under my belt in nursing, I thought it was time that I shared some of that knowledge with nurses of the future.”

“My teaching can be slightly different from what you might call traditional classroom teaching. I like to be innovative and will often incorporate modern technology through which students can enjoy and engage in my lectures.

“I am also someone who is very passionate about community nursing, and I would like to think that comes across in my teaching.”

This is a significant moment not only for those who have been shortlisted but also for healthcare in Wales as a whole.”

Stephen Griffiths, Director of Nursing at Health Education and Improvement Wales, said: “An awful lot of hard work is going into ensuring that student nurses in Wales have the best training, the best support, the best career opportunities and the best chance of making a positive impact on people’s lives. This recognition shows how the rest of the UK is starting to sit up and take notice of what we are doing.

“I would like to congratulate all of our shortlisted nominees and wish them the very best of luck at the awards ceremony this year’s event being held on Friday, April 26, at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair.”