Award shortlist for inspirational nurse, lecturer and doctoral student

An Essex healthcare lecturer’s commitment to life-long learning has been recognised by judges in the Student Nursing Times Awards 2018.

Matthew Osborne is a charge nurse at Southend Hospital’s Emergency Department, a lecturer in our School of Health and Social Care and now a doctoral student too, having recently started his Professional Doctorate in emergency nursing. 

He has combined teaching and learning with clinical practice throughout his career and this dedication to professional development has been recognised with a place on the shortlist for Learner of the Year.

“I firmly believe that being a clinician makes me a better teacher, and being a teacher makes me a better clinician,” said Matthew.

Matthew has now been working as a charge nurse for ten years. Since entering nursing as a pre-registration student he has never spent more than six months out of the classroom, returning after qualifying to take a wide range of professional development modules, qualifications and clinical skills courses. Many have supported his specialisms in patient assessment, acute illness in adults and sepsis. 

Most recently Matthew started working towards his Professional Doctorate with Essex. 

“Balancing work and study is difficult. Working a clinical job in a demanding environment such as emergency nursing during what is arguably the worst winter the NHS has ever experienced has been tough. The beauty of doing a Professional Doctorate is I get to study an area that I think is interesting, and because there is a degree of flexibility I can set my own study time.”

On top of his own learning, the Award judges were impressed with Matthew’s commitment to sharing knowledge with student nurses and his Southend Hospital colleagues. He joined Essex as a part-time lecturer two years ago and also guest-lectures at the Royal College of Nursing. 

Matthew’s success adds to the celebrations for Essex, with nursing students Heather Finn and Fiona Lunnon both shortlisted for Student Nurse of the Year. 

Vikki-Jo Scott, Head of our School of Health and Social Care said: “It’s fantastic to have three members of our School shortlisted in this year’s Awards. Matthew is a highly valued member of our staff team and we’re so proud of his success in his doctoral studies, maintaining his clincical practice and now this Award shortlist. We benefit greatly from the input he gives our students.” 

The Student Nursing Times Awards were set up by Nursing Times to recognise students who embody the values of nursing and are role models and leaders, inspiring others from their universities and nationally. The judging panel is made of up representatives from across the UK, including both NHS and universities. Matthew will face the final judging panel in March.