A local student nurse has been shortlisted for an innovation award by the Student Nursing Times.
Amy Graham, 35, has been recognised for her innovative work in developing an app that monitors fridge temperatures and improves patient safety.
She is a undertaking her nurse apprenticeship at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust (NCIC) and is studying with the Open University.
Amy has been shortlisted in the Student Innovation in Practice category. She said: “My Open University tutor nominated me, I took part in the digital placement which ran alongside my leadership, management and change management module. I completed the digital placement alongside a peer Laura Wilson, we discussed our digital change in practice using the NHS change model and other models of change to aid the learning of other students.
“We were both nominated for the SNT awards by our tutor for implementing a digital change designed to improve patient safety, reduce costs associated with wasted medications and working collaboratively to improve practice and share experience and knowledge with colleagues and student peers.
“When being asked to take part in the digital placement, Laura and I felt this was a real opportunity to implement a change in practice. It is a rare opportunity for a student, however this has made us understand that anyone can make changes. We implemented the use of a digital app to remotely monitor the temperature of the pharmaceutical fridge. This allowed us to work with alongside pharmacy, digital nursing team, IT and our colleagues to create and implement a sustainable change.”
Amy says she has just come to the end of her course and is looking forward to embarking on her nursing career.
She said: “Ultimately I want to provide safe and effective care for my patients.”
“When being asked to take part in the digital placement, Laura and I felt this was a real opportunity to implement a change in practice. It is a rare opportunity for a student, however this has made us understand that anyone can make changes. We implemented the use of a digital app to remotely monitor the temperature of the pharmaceutical fridge. This allowed us to work with alongside pharmacy, digital nursing team, IT and our colleagues to create and implement a sustainable change.”
Amy has to complete a presentation in London in a few weeks time before the award ceremony in London on April 26.
She said: “There is some strong competition, but to have my hard work recognised and be shortlisted for this award is an achievement in itself.”
Elizabeth Klein, Chief Nursing Information Officer, said: “The digital health module is a unique and innovate placement designed in collaboration by NCIC digital and nursing staff to benefit our students.
“Myself along with Ian Harrison, Steve Jarvis and Gemma Lumsden had a vision to increasing the opportunities for clinical and digital staff to work in collaboration and show case how clinical and digital work are intrinsically linked in the delivery of safe, quality care. To date there have been 18 students who have benefited from the placement in which they undertake a small digital change in their clinical area. The change projects range from increasing awareness and digital skills to changing the way we use our digital systems, Amy’s project is one of these changes.
“After the placement, the student nurses report an increased understanding of how they can influence change and the benefits of working closely with digital colleagues. Anybody who is interested in joining the placement should contact their practice placement facilitator (PEF).”
Amy first joined NCIC in 2010 as a healthcare assistant and started her nursing apprenticeship in 2021.
She said undertaking the apprenticeship has “completely changed her life.”
She said: “I loved my job as a healthcare assistant. I worked for 10 years on Larch A/B before moving to Hazel ward. I was only in post for a short period of time before I received a lot of encouragement and support to undertake the apprenticeship, which has completely changed my life.
“I love caring for my patients, promoting their independence and assisting them to make informed decisions regarding their care.”