A graduate from a High Wycombe university has been shortlisted for a national nursing award.

Former Buckinghamshire New University student, Claire Foley, has been shortlisted for the Nursing Times Student Nurse of the Year Award for child nursing.

The 26-year-old was nominated by the university, and is just one of nine nurses on the national shortlist.

More than 400 nominations were received for the awards and Claire, who lives in Gables Meadow, in Holmer Green, will join her lecturers from Bucks New University at the awards ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane on May 7 when the winners will be announced.

Claire graduate in February and is now working as a qualified nurse in the paediatric ward at Hillingdon Hospital.

She said: “I’m honoured to be nominated for this award and proud to have made it to the final nine in a field of very strong candidates.

“I chose Bucks New University not only because it’s my local university but because it has an excellent reputation for nursing and its students have a high success rate of getting their preferred job once they qualify.

“I previously worked in administrative roles and I’m so glad I took the plunge to pursue the career I really wanted.

“The support of my lecturers, mentors and fellow student nurses was invaluable. Bucks has proved to be the perfect choice.”

Whilse studying for her degree, Claire completed placements in hospitals across west London in paediatric A&E, general paediatrics, paediatric haematology and infectious diseases as well as spending time in a special needs school and nursing in the community.

Elizabeth King, a senior lecturer in the child nursing team at Bucks New University, said: “Claire is everything a children’s nurse should be – reliable, supportive, flexible and a great communicator.

“She was an excellent student and is a great ambassador for children’s nursing and the university. I wish Claire the best of luck; she would be a very worthy winner.”

Bucks New University offers pre-qualifying nursing degrees in three specialist areas: adult, child and mental health.