Portlaoise graduate is Student Nurse of the Year at big Midlands hospital

A young woman who began her nursing journey in Portlaoise has been presented with her Student Nurse of the Year Award.

Nurse Aine Dooley was surprised with an award presentation for her hard work and excellence in the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

In 2021 Aine, from Kilcavan on the Laois Offaly border, was awarded the honour, but as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, there was no formal presentation marking her achievements.

Aine Dooley, from Kilcavan, explains her journey into nursing and how she found her pathway into a career she loves and excels at.

"I completed my leaving certificate in 2015 and following that completed a pre-nursing course in Portlaoise Institute. By doing the PLC (Post Leaving Cert) course it gave me the opportunity to work as a healthcare assistant in a local nursing home and it also gave me the extra points that I needed to gain access to study general nursing in Athlone Institute of Technology (now Technological University of the Shannon) in September 2017," she said.

Having completed placements across hospitals in Tullamore, Portlaoise and Mullingar, she has worked in different specialties throughout her training and made the decision to work in a medical ward when qualified.

She has now qualified and is working as a staff nurse on the orthopedic elective ward in the Offaly hospital.

"I have worked through a global pandemic in the past three years as a student nurse and also a Registered General Nurse (RGN). From the day I started in Tullamore hospital, my colleagues on the ward have made me feel very welcome and they are all a pleasure to work with.

"I have learned so much from working with them. Recently I have completed my preceptorship course which allows me to guide new nursing students from TUS while they are on their medical placements.

"I haven’t made a decision yet on what I would like to specialise in but it is my intention to further my education in the future," she said.

Wendy Fitzpatrick, Assistant Director of Nursing Practice Development Coordinator, at Tullamore hospital congratulated Aine.

"It was important for the management, staff and colleagues at Tullamore Hospital to acknowledge Aine on her achievements and among her peers congratulate her for her hard work and continued dedication to the patients she cares for.

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"The criteria for nomination of Student Nurse of the Year in Tullamore Hospital involves many assessment competencies including, professionalism, skill development, patient compassion and respect to name but a few. Each student is graded across a spectrum of criteria with the core question of ‘Is this student nurse an outstanding role model for fellow students?

"The commitment of Aine is abundantly evident in her hard work and dedication to the care of their patients in the Tullamore Hospital. The management, staff and colleagues wish Aine the very best in her career going forward," she said.

The Technological University of the Shannon also congratulated Aine.