Amy Turton
A nurse who won a ‘Rising Star’ award from the Nursing Times says she is grateful for the experiences and opportunities gained on her degree at the University of Worcester.
Amy Turton works as a learning disability (RNLD) nurse with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust. She has completed a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice at the University.
“I am so proud to be graduating,” she said. “It feels absolutely amazing. This course has been a personal and professional journey of opportunity, from start to finish.”
Amy was working in practice as a nurse when she joined the course. “I chose to join the course to advance my current nursing role and become a proactive educator, leader and ambassador in learning disability services. I wanted to drive forward change and service improvement, whilst using advanced clinical and research skills to identify and reduce the health inequalities of people with learning disabilities.”
In November 2022, Amy was named the Ann Shuttleworth Rising Star at the Nursing Times Awards, with judges praising her unswerving dedication to her patients and team and adding that she is an “inspiration” for the next generation of learning disability nurses.
“It was a privilege and honour to have won the Ann Shuttleworth Rising Star Award,” she said. “I feel so valued, appreciated, and supported by my team and everyone around me. This award shines a light on the learning disability nursing profession and highlights the value of our work.”
Amy said she now hopes to continue to learn and grow within advanced practice and will be exploring a more active role in research, particularly linked to the population of people who have a learning disability.
“It has been a fabulous journey so far,” she said. “I have been supported and pushed massively outside of my comfort zone and this has enabled me to advance my skills and practice as a learning disability nurse in ways that I never imagined possible. I am proud of the new skills I have developed and how much I have learnt.
“I have been supported by an outstanding ACP MSc academic team at the University and a wonderful personal tutor (Matt Harris), who has inspired me, encouraged me and ultimately believed in me.”
“I am grateful for the amazing experiences and opportunities that this course has given me,” she added.
The University’s annual autumn Graduation Ceremonies will take place as planned from September 12-14 in the beautiful and historic Worcester Cathedral followed by celebration receptions at the City Campus. No Worcester graduates have been affected by the marking and assessment boycott.
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