Categories

People’s differences should be valued and supported in the workplace and evidence continues to reveal why progress must urgently be made on equality, diversity and inclusion.

This important award recognises an individual who has made a significant improvement and continued commitment to championing equality, diversity and inclusion in the health and social care workforce.

The winner will be someone who has actively sought to eliminate discrimination and championed equality across the protected characteristics. They will be someone who supports employees from minority ethnic backgrounds or promotes diversity in age, disability, gender or sexual orientation, ensuring equal access to opportunities and progression.

Any nurse, midwife or nursing associate working in a health and social care provider, charity, or government arm’s length body, is eligible to apply. We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to highlight an individual who they believe merits this recognition.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful quantitative and qualitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – originality of the strategies used to promote diversity and inclusion
• Value – impact of the individual’s efforts to improve diversity of the workforce
• Leadership – entrants championing their work across their organisations and more widely

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on our webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Health and care services require skilled and dedicated managers to lead and run them, in turn enabling nursing and other clinical staff to provide high-quality care.

Effective line management is critical to supporting individual and organisational performance, and it often has the biggest impact on staff wellbeing and fostering teams that feel valued by an employer.

This award category aims to recognise an exceptional team leader, working in the NHS or independent sector, who demonstrates commitment to nurturing and supporting their staff.

Managers without a clinical background, but who are leading a team that includes nursing or midwifery staff, regardless of size or setting, are eligible to enter this category. We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to highlight a line manager who they believe merits this recognition.

The category represents a great opportunity for nursing or midwifery staff to recognise a colleague who has made a significant impact through their support of the profession.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – best in class approach to team management
• Value – impact of the individual’s efforts to improve supportive staff cultures
• Leadership – entrants championing their work across their organisations and more widely

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Nurse managers play a critical role in shaping workplace culture, supporting staff wellbeing and ensuring high-quality patient care. Their leadership directly influences team morale, retention and professional development.

This award recognises an exceptional nurse, midwife or nursing associate in a formal management role who has demonstrated sustained leadership impact within their team or service.

Open to individuals working in the NHS, charity or independent sector, this category celebrates experienced nurse managers who consistently nurture, develop and support their staff while fostering inclusive, high-performing and resilient teams.

We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to highlight an outstanding nurse or midwife manager who merits recognition for their leadership contribution.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – best-in-class approaches to team leadership and management
• Value – measurable and sustained impact on staff wellbeing, retention, engagement or service performance
• Leadership – visible leadership influence within the organisation and contribution to a positive workforce culture

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Exceptional leadership is not defined by title, but by impact. Likewise, leadership qualities can be demonstrated early on in a career, regardless of experience.

This brand-new award category recognises an outstanding nurse, midwife or nursing associate in the early stages of their leadership journey who is already demonstrating exceptional promise and measurable impact within their team or service.

Open to individuals within their first five years of a formal or informal leadership role, this category celebrates those who are shaping positive team cultures, improving workforce experience and influencing practice beyond their immediate responsibilities.

We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to recognise a rising leader who is making a meaningful difference.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – proactive and effective approaches to leadership or service improvement
• Value – demonstrable early impact on team engagement, quality of care or workforce experience
• Leadership Potential – strong leadership behaviours, role modelling and clear capacity for future strategic influence

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Workplace learning and development is about creating the right culture and environment for nursing and midwifery staff to thrive in their role.

As well as improving knowledge and skills, and ultimately care, continuing professional development (CPD) can help to create a more positive working culture and boost employee morale.

This award aims to recognise employers that prioritise learning and development opportunities, using the resources available to them to offer a wide-range of CPD to nursing and midwifery staff.

Entries will be judged on originality and resourcefulness, considering the size of the organisation and its budgets.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful quantitative and qualitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – originality of the learning and development initiatives offered to nursing staff
• Value – impact of the resources on the nursing and midwifery workforce and evidence that demonstrates that staff engage with and benefit from what is offered, where available
• Leadership – entrants championing their innovation across their organisation and more widely
• Adaptability – initiatives that can be easily adopted by other organisations

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Fulfilling the training needs of nursing staff is essential, with strong clinical practice education key to delivering high quality and safe care.

Practice educators are vital for developing and standardising clinical practice across departments, and for supporting and training nursing staff in the introduction of new equipment, skills and medicines.

They both work with newly registered staff to support them during the transition from being a student and also with more experienced nurses when they begin to take charge of clinical areas.

This award category aims to recognise an exemplary practice educator who goes out of their way to provide clinical training, support and development for nursing staff.

We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to highlight a practice educator who they believe merits this recognition. This category represents a great opportunity to nominate someone who has made a significant impact.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – best in class approach to clinical practice education
• Value – impact of the individual’s efforts to improve training and clinical standards
• Leadership – entrants championing their work across their organisations and more widely

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

The transition from student to registrant is always challenging and feels even more so now due to current workforce pressures.

Successfully navigating that first year as a newly registered nurse, midwife or nursing associate requires talent, initiative and resolve, as well as the support of colleagues and employers.

But in spite of these challenges and being only at the start of their career journey, some new registrants will already be standing out from the crowd by demonstrating their potential to be the rising stars of the future.

This category, now in its third year, seeks to reward that potential and highlight a newly registered nurse, midwife or nursing associate who has really shone during their first year in clinical practice.

We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to highlight a preceptee who they believe merits this recognition. This category represents a great opportunity to nominate someone who has demonstrated real potential.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for evidence of innovation and leadership, but most of all value, from preceptees who enter this category. Entries should, where possible, be supported by meaningful qualitative and quantitative evidence that demonstrates the following:

• Innovation – originality in ideas and bringing a fresh approach to their working environment, be that a team, ward or other setting
• Value – making a significant contribution to their team and their clear potential to become a future star of the nursing or midwifery profession
• Leadership – inspiring those around them, including both their peers and more experienced colleagues

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, preceptee feedback, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

The transition from student to registrant is always challenging and feels even more so now due to current workforce pressures.

Supporting this transition requires the foundation provided by a preceptorship programme, with preceptors to oversee development and give personalised support in clinical and practical areas.

Supporting and nurturing new nurses and midwives during their vital first year in this way means they can flourish and make the vital contribution for which they trained.

A good preceptor can make the difference between a new registrant remaining with an employer or deciding to take their skills elsewhere and, in some cases, leave nursing altogether.

This award category recognises an exemplary preceptor who goes out of their way to provide support, development, coaching and mentorship of new staff.

We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to highlight a preceptor who they believe merits this recognition. This category represents a great opportunity to nominate someone who has made a significant impact.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for originality and innovation from preceptors, supported by meaningful qualitative as well as quantitative evidence, where possible, that demonstrates the following:

• Innovation – originality in support, development and coaching activities for preceptees
• Value – impact of the individual’s efforts to support preceptees, improving the development of skills among new registrants and improving retention rates
• Leadership – championing their work across their organisation and more widely

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, preceptee feedback, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

The transition from student to registrant has never been a bigger step than now and one that requires the foundation provided by an appropriate preceptorship programme.

Supporting and nurturing new nurses and midwives during their vital first year means they can flourish and make the vital contribution for which they trained.

A preceptorship programme should support newly registered nurses and midwives as they move through the first year of employment and beyond.

A good preceptorship can also make the difference between newly registered staff remaining with an employer or deciding to take their skills elsewhere and, in some cases, leave nursing altogether.

This award category aims to recognise an outstanding preceptorship programme for nurses and midwives that demonstrates support, development, coaching and mentorship of new staff.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for originality and innovation that stands out from the rest, supported by meaningful quantitative as well as qualitative evidence that demonstrates the following:

• Innovation – originality in support, development and coaching activities for preceptees, which stands out from others in the sector
• Value – improving skills development among new registrants and boosting retention rates. Your entry should be supported with meaningful data, preceptee feedback and case studies
• Adaptability – ideas that could be easily adopted by other organisations
• Collaboration – involvement of other professionals or services in the project

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, preceptee feedback, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

This is one of our most prestigious awards of the year. This award recognises an organisation that has created an outstanding working environment for nursing and midwifery staff.

We are looking for employers that demonstrate a strong and supportive workplace culture, effective leadership, and a clear commitment to workforce wellbeing, development and engagement.

The winning organisation will show how it has created an environment where nursing staff feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver excellent care.

Entries are open to organisations across all sectors, including NHS, independent healthcare, community and social care providers.

If your organisation is planning on entering a number of categories at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards, then this one represents an ideal additional opportunity to further promote your employer’s overall achievements.

Likewise, you should consider entering if your organisation has scored highly in the annual NHS Staff Survey or in other measures of employee feedback.

In case you were wondering, this category was previously called Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff. Like most things, our awards benefit from a regular review and a spruce up, hence we’ve decided to rename it.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for employers that recruit well and create a workplace environment that motivates, inspires and supports their nursing and midwifery staff at all stages of their career.

Successful entries, which will include relevant quantitative and qualitative evidence and be supported by the organisation’s chief nurse or director of nursing, should highlight:

• Innovation – original and effective approaches to creating a positive workplace culture, including initiatives that enhance staff experience, engagement, wellbeing, recognition and development
• Value – measurable impact on recruitment, retention, staff satisfaction and workforce sustainability. This may include staff survey results, turnover data, vacancy reductions, case studies and other performance indicators
• Adaptability – approaches that are sustainable and embedded within the organisation, and which could be replicated or adapted by other providers regardless of size or sector.
• Collaboration – partnership working across teams, departments or external organisations to strengthen workforce experience and organisational culture
• Leadership and culture – visible and supportive leadership at all levels, including how senior leaders actively champion workforce wellbeing, inclusion, professional development and staff voice

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 13/14/15 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Top employers increasingly want to be seen to be making a positive contribution when it comes to the environment, staff motivation and morale, local communities and society at large.

Corporate social responsibility programmes involve employees and their organisations acting in the best interests of their workplace, the local community, environment and the world in general.

Examples include charity work or volunteering, donations or campaigns. Such initiatives could focus on setting up food banks, using locally sourced products and working closely with local communities, or improving sustainability or reducing carbon footprints.

We might also see entries from organisations and individuals engaging in philanthropic initiatives to support people or colleagues in low- and middle-income countries.

This award category aims to recognise health and social care organisations with a stand-out corporate social responsibility agenda that is leading the way and has measurable benefits.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for examples of brilliant corporate social responsibility programmes, supported by meaningful qualitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – original and well implemented initiatives that benefit society or the environment
• Value – clear improvement for the intended recipients of the programme, backed up by the use of meaningful case studies
• Adaptability – ideas that could be easily adopted by other organisations
• Collaboration – involvement of other professionals or services in the project

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Digital technology is often billed as the solution to many problems and there has been a noticeable new drive and energy in this area over recent years within health and social care. Its successful adoption is, for example, a key plank of the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

When it is implemented well, digital technology really can improve the working lives of nursing staff, and lead to care improvements.

This award is aimed at recognising an organisation that demonstrates the meaningful use of technology to improve the working environment and support the health and social care workforce – giving nurses and midwives more time to care and make the most of their clinical skills.

This category will recognise organisations that use technology, for example, to support better training, mobile working or flexible working, to improve the working environment or release more time for them to spend with patients and service users.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for evidence of the smooth implementation or use of technology that supports the working environment, supported by meaningful quantitative and qualitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – new technology that supports the workforce, whether through training, mobile working and flexibility as examples
• Value – a clear improvement in the working environment, with the use of meaningful data and case studies
• Adaptability – ideas that could be easily adopted by other organisations
• Collaboration – the involvement of other professionals or services in the project

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Effective workforce planning ensures appropriate levels of nursing and midwifery staff are available to deliver safe and high-quality care to patients, service users or residents.

Workforce teams are fundamental to ensuring successful workforce planning by health and social care organisations, whether focused on hospitals or in community settings.

This award aims to celebrate an outstanding HR/workforce team that has delivered significant improvements to the recruitment, retention, and training and development opportunities for all nurses, midwives, nursing associates and support staff.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful quantitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – originality of workforce planning, recruitment and retention strategies
• Value – positive impact on an organisation’s nursing and midwifery workforce backed by meaningful data, case studies and employee survey feedback where available
• Leadership – entrants championing their innovations and initiatives across their organisation and more widely
• Collaboration – excellent teamwork to deliver initiatives within their organisation
• Adaptability – easy adaption and adoption by across other teams and organisations

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 13/14/15 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Workforce shortages mean competition to attract nursing and midwifery staff remains fierce, both from the domestic pipeline and international sources.

This award recognises an organisation’s strategic approach to improving the recruitment experience for nurses and midwives, from first engagement through to onboarding and induction.

Judges will consider the use of innovative advertising, marketing campaigns and recruitment initiatives designed to attract either UK-based and/or internationally educated candidates. The panel will also look at how organisations support candidates throughout the recruitment journey and successfully embed them into the workforce.

This includes the efficiency of the recruitment process, communication with candidates, assessment or interview experience, relocation support (where applicable), and the onboarding or induction process.

Entries are open to organisations recruiting within the UK or internationally. At least one UK institution (for example, an NHS trust or UK-based provider) must be involved in the entry.

In light of ongoing challenges and changes to the recruitment market, we have this year combined the previous awards for Best International Recruitment Experience and Best Recruitment Experience, creating one overall category to celebrate excellence in recruitment experience.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for originality and innovation that stands out from the rest, supported by meaningful quantitative evidence that demonstrates the following:

• Innovation – originality of campaigns or approach to the recruitment journey
• Value – demonstrable improvement in the recruitment experience, vacancy rates, time-to-hire, candidate satisfaction or retention, supported by meaningful data and case studies
• Adaptability – ideas that could be easily adopted or scaled by other organisations, regardless of geography or size
• Collaboration – involvement of internal teams, external partners, international agencies or other stakeholders in delivering the recruitment initiative

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Around one in four nurses and midwives on the Nursing and Midwifery Council register are internationally educated. They have arguably never been more important to the UK’s health and social care workforce, and we want to highlight their achievements.

This important award will recognise an individual nurse, midwife or nursing associate who has made a significant contribution to their employer since moving to work in the UK.

Nominations are encouraged from individuals who have, for example, helped to improve their service, supported the integration of fellow overseas staff or contributed in other ways to support their employer.

Any overseas nurse, working in a health or social care provider, charity or government arm’s-length body is eligible to apply. We welcome entries from candidates themselves or nominations from those who wish to highlight an individual who they believe merits this recognition.

Entries are open to internationally educated nurses and midwives working in the UK only.

In case you were wondering, this category was previously called Overseas Nurse of the Year. Like most things, our awards benefit from a regular review and a spruce up, hence we’ve decided to rename it.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful quantitative and qualitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – originality of the strategies used to improve services or support peers
• Value – impact of the individual’s efforts to champion overseas nurses
• Leadership – championing their work or ideas across an organisation and more widely

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Recognising the positive impact of staff and actively engaging with them are proven to be linked to better workforce retention.

Staff who feel valued for their work tend to be more engaged with their employer. In turn, staff who feel engaged are often more likely to be motivated, productive and loyal.

This award is aimed at organisations that celebrate and reward excellence in their nursing and midwifery workforce, and that have made real improvements to staff recognition and engagement activities.

We want to highlight employers that demonstrate a clear commitment to identifying dedicated and high-performing individuals in their workforce, and to ensuring their achievements are celebrated.

Likewise, we want to reward the positive impact of engagement initiatives on staff evaluation surveys and employee feedback, which demonstrate meaningful activities and uptake from staff.

What are the judges looking for?

The judges will be looking for originality and innovation that stands out from others in the sector, supported by meaningful quantitative as well as qualitative evidence that demonstrates the following:

• Innovation – originality of the initiatives to recognise and engage staff
• Value – impact on nursing and midwifery workforce, demonstrating a clear improvement in morale and retention backed by meaningful data, case studies and survey feedback
• Leadership – entrants championing their innovation across their organisation and more widely
• Adaptability – easy adaption and adoption by across other teams and organisations

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

Recognising the importance of wellbeing among nursing and midwifery staff makes for a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.

Staff wellbeing has not always been seen as the priority or given the attention that it should. But it has arguably never been more important than during the current workforce pressures facing the health and social care sector.

Factors relating to wellbeing and occupational health are intrinsically linked to levels of staff engagement, productivity, commitment, sick leave and retention. However, the physical labour, emotional load and long hours involved in health and social care often make wellbeing a challenge.

This award category is aimed at an employer that has demonstrated a continued commitment to the mental and physical wellbeing of its staff, and that really stands out from the crowd with its offer.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful quantitative and qualitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – originality of the plans and initiatives
• Value – impact of the initiatives on staff evaluation surveys, supported with case studies and employee feedback that demonstrate meaningful activities and uptake from staff
• Leadership – entrants championing their innovation across their organisation and more widely
• Adaptability – easy adaption and adoption by across other teams and organisations

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. Stage two will involve a roundtable discussion between judges to decide a winner, so please make sure this entry includes as much evidence as possible.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

A diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens nursing and midwifery practice, enhances patient care and ensures services reflect the communities they serve.

This award recognises an organisation, team or initiative that has delivered measurable impact in improving equality, diversity and inclusion within the nursing and midwifery workforce.

We are looking for evidence of meaningful action – not just strategy or ambitions – that improves equity of opportunity, supports staff with protected characteristics and creates a more inclusive workplace culture.

Entries are open to organisations, departments, teams or collaborative initiatives across the NHS, charity and independent sectors.

In case you were wondering, this category was previously called Best Employer for Diversity and Inclusion. Like most things, our awards benefit from a regular review and a spruce up, hence we’ve decided to rename it.

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for meaningful quantitative and qualitative evidence that highlights:

• Innovation – originality of the strategies used to promote diversity and inclusion
• Value – impact of initiatives on an organisation’s nursing and midwifery workforce backed by meaningful data, case studies and employee survey feedback where available
• Leadership – entrants championing their innovation across their organisations and more widely
• Adaptability – easy adaption and adoption by across other teams and organisations

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Stage one of the judging process involves shortlisting entries based solely on the information provided here. For stage two, if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges around the 5/6/7 October 2026. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.

Hints and tips: Before you start your entry, please take a look at our hints and tips section to ensure that your submission is your best work and you have the best chance of making the shortlist. This, along with further advice on categories and entering, can be found on this webpage .

Entries are open to UK or British Crown Dependency submissions or nominations only.

New for this year, the Nursing Leaders Impact Award is a distinguished honour recognising an exceptional senior nursing or midwifery leader whose strategic leadership has delivered significant and measurable workforce impact in the health and social care sector.

This prestigious trophy bridges the Nursing Times Workforce Awards and our new Nursing Leaders daytime event, celebrating executive influence that strengthens organisations, improves staff experience and shapes the future of the nursing profession.

You cannot enter or nominate for this award. The recipient will be selected by members of the Nursing Leaders Advisory Board.