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North nursing students had the opportunity to meet Scotland's Chief Nursing Officer when she visited the University of the Highlands and Islands' nursing department in Inverness on Monday September 10th – and also spoke with students in Stornoway via video conferencing.

Professor Fiona McQueen spoke to students and staff in person at the Centre for Health Science and addressed students in Stornoway via a video conference link.

She also took part in the department's award ceremony, presenting certificates to nominees for the university's Nursing Student of the Year awards as well as a certificate and £100 cheque to the overall winner, Aimie Davies.

Elizabeth Bak, staff nurse in Uist and Barra hospital was nominated for Post Graduate Nursing Student of the Year; and Alison Maciver, a rheumatology liaison nurse working with NHS Western Isles, was awarded the Queens Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) academic prize for Community Nursing;

Overall winner, Aimie (29), who is originally from Portree and now lives in Nairn, was selected for the award for her outstanding performance in her academic work and clinical placement.

Marie Cameron, the university's head of undergraduate nursing, explained:"She demonstrated a great aptitude for clinical practice, with her mentor describing her as a “fantastic student" and an “exceptional worker.
“Nurses often meet and care for people and their families at the most difficult times in their lives so it's imperative they have the qualities required to minimise the difficulty of these situations, provide exemplary care and offer support as required. Aimie has all of the qualities required to be the kind of nurse we would all want caring for our family members."
Aimie said: “I am over the moon to have been chosen to receive this award. I have been so privileged to have had such a strong support network of university staff, mentors, family and peers, and I hope I can be a credit to the nursing profession going into the future."

Awarded the Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) academic prize for Community Nursing, NHSWI rheumatology liaison nurse Alison Maciver – who is completing the university's advanced nurse practitioner MSc programme – was recognised for demonstrating excellence in her academic work and showing a commitment to delivering person centred care and being an advocate for patients living in remote and rural areas.
Speaking about her award, Alison said: “I feel honoured to be receiving the prize and really appreciate the opportunity to have met the Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland and QNIS members."