ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure

The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as or

RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2026

RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2026

The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ in Scotland is delighted to be holding its Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards in April 2026.

The awards are designed to recognise, highlight, and celebrate the dedication and outstanding professional care of nursing staff across Scotland.

From rural communities to the big cities, from the NHS, care homes and others in the independent sector, we look for nominations that demonstrate the best of nursing – through innovation, excellence in practice, leadership, and commitment.

Our awards celebrate and honour the incredible work of Scotland’s nursing staff, day in, day out - showcasing inspiring nursing practice and innovative nurse-led projects that are making a difference for patients, residents, and service users.

2026 Finalists

Our finalists have been announced! Click on a category below to find out who's representing the #BestOfNursing in Scotland for 2026.


If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards, please get in touch by emailing scotlandnurseawards@rcn.org.uk

Click a category below to find out about our 2026 finalists:

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Adult Nursing Award

This award aims to recognise those who have succeeded in raising standards of care for their patients and service users and have made an outstanding contribution to the care of adults.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Care Home Nursing Award

This award aims to recognise the impact and importance of nursing in social care and those who have made an outstanding contribution to care and quality of life for residents in a care home.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Children's Nursing and Midwifery Award

This award aims to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to the care of children or young people or the care of mothers-to-be and new parents.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Clinical Leadership Award

Sponsored by Anderson Strathern, this award aims to recognise an exceptional clinical leader who, by inspiring others, has made a significant difference to service delivery and quality of care.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Inspiring Excellence - Nursing Innovation and Research Award

Sponsored by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, this award aims to recognise those who have influenced change with a measurable impact on outcomes and/or experience.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Learning Disability Nursing Award

This award aims to recognise those who have succeeded in raising standards of care for their patients and clients and have made an outstanding contribution to the care of service users.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Learning in Practice Award

This award aims to recognise those who provide effective supervision and assessment, create high-quality learning environments, act as a role model and who build and maintain relationships to enable and support learning and development in the workplace.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Mental Health Nursing Award

This award aims to recognise those who have succeeded in raising standards of care for their patients and clients and have made an outstanding contribution to the care of service users.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Nursing Student of the Year

Sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University, this award aims to recognise those who have shown exceptional promise during their professional education and/or practice placement. Nominees for this award will deserve recognition for exceptional achievement during their studies.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Nursing Support Worker of the Year

This award aims to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to the care of patients or residents in their nursing support worker role.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Nursing Team of the Year

This award aims to recognise that great nursing is often delivered in teams and in close partnership with multidisciplinary colleagues – or even patients or stakeholders.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

People's Choice Award

Sponsored by The Sunday Post, patients, clients, residents or relatives can nominate a nurse, midwife or nursing support worker who they believe has made a difference and gone that extra mile to ensure the highest standards of care.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland Award for Excellence

Sponsored by the Chief Nursing Officer Directorate at Scottish Government

The winner of this award will be nominated by nursing leaders and stakeholders for a significant contribution to the development of nursing as a profession that is valued by society.

Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards

RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year 2026

This winner of this prestigious award will be selected from the registered nurse winners from the other award other categories.

Sponsorship opportunities

Find out how your support can help make our celebration event the best it can be

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

CNOD at Scottish Government

Sponsored by

Delta Hotels by Marriott

Sponsored by

Fen Regis Trophies

Sponsored by

Firefly Design Agency

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Previous sponsors include:

NOTY Sponsors 2025

Page last updated - 03/02/2026