Paediatrics Sister, Katrina Gardiner, didn’t realise when she bumped into our CEO, Brendan Brown, on the Children’s Ward last week that he was there to see her.

He wasn’t (as she thought) there to talk about the CQC, but in fact to present her with a Star Award for the support she gives new colleagues joining the team.

And, as Brendan shared more of her nomination, colleagues from the ward joined to hear more.

Katrina said: "It was a complete surprise and I'm so thankful that people would take the time to give such kind feedback.

"I feel very lucky to work with such a wonderful team in Paediatrics. I feel like I've got the best of both worlds to be able to work on the ward with patients, and as a clinical educator to support my team. Part of the reason I applied for this job was because I love working with students and newly qualified nurses to help give them the best possible experience and to support them to realise their potential. To know that I've made a difference in their journey is amazing and just makes me love the job even more!" 

Former Senior Clinical Nurse Educator, Katherine Kelly, nominated Katrina, saying: “Katrina organised a comprehensive induction, in addition to clinical pocket guides for new starters, which included useful information to assist them in care delivery. She encouraged the new colleagues to introduce themselves to the ward team and genuinely cares for all the staff.”

Katherine took the time to talk to a few colleagues to get their thoughts. Here’s what they said:

• “She is always kind and supportive and incredibly knowledgeable and willing to teach new skills. She is the kind of manager/educator you are open to discussing your weaknesses and mistakes with because she will help you improve and learn from them and not make you feel stupid. She is always happy to reply to messages and emails and listens to any issues we might have. She also organised a group MS Teams meetings to check how we were all coping with new winter pressure and offer advice. You can tell she really cares about supporting staff and providing good care for patients. She is also just a fantastic nurse and a great role model. She makes a massive difference on our ward we are so lucky to have her!”
• “She’s incredible.”
• “Katrina has supported me throughout my journey to become a registered nurse, she was my supervisor in my first year on my first placement on the ward and she continued to support me in my third year when I returned to the ward for my last placement. Katrina is very approachable, and she genuinely cares about students and newly qualified staff and the experience that they have on the ward, and she is happy to provide any support they need.”
• "Katrina is amazing and has always been amazing to all the newly qualified nurses. She’s very understanding and supportive no matter the situation. She has amazing leadership skills with the best style to keep us all motivated as a team of newly qualified. She’s always super supportive and is always there to lend a helping hand and has never made us feel like we are on our own."
• "Without Katrina I would not be who I am today and even though I have not known her for long she has greatly impacted my life and nursing career."

You can nominate your Star via the Workforce and Organisational Development pages. See Colleague-engagement/chuft-to-bits/chuft-star-awards