Health / Shetlander named Scotland’s nurse of the year
A SHETLANDER now living south who was recently named Scotland’s nurse of the year says she was “overwhelmed” to pick up the prestigious prize.
Amy Noble was given the nurse of the year and adult nursing awards by RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Scotland at its annual prizegiving ceremony in Edinburgh last week.
The 37-year-old was brought up in Virkie in Shetland’s South Mainland before her career took her to Inverness.
She is currently the assistant divisional nurse manager at Inverness’ Raigmore Hospital, and Noble was described by her colleagues as energetic, inspirational and “one of the best nurses I’ve ever worked with”.
At the time of her nomination Noble led the respiratory ward at the hospital, and she is credited with transforming care there.
Under her leadership the respiratory unit saw readmissions drop from 20 per cent to eight per cent.
Speaking to Shetland News after the award win, Noble said she wanted to pay tribute to her colleagues.
“I wanted to share the awards with the teams that I work with, who continue to work so hard day in, day out under quite challenging circumstances,” she said.
Her journey to become Scotland’s top nurse started at the Gilbert Bain Hospital when she was in sixth year at school.
She took on a developmental role in ward three as a nursing auxiliary, and it was this experience that led her on her way.
“It was the catalyst that confirmed that I really did want to go and do my nurse training, and progress further and go away and study at university in Aberdeen,” Noble said.
“If I hadn’t had such a good experience in ward three perhaps I wouldn’t have gone on to do health care.
“But because I had such a good experience in that setting with that team, that’s what really encouraged me to go further.”
She left for Robert Gordon University aged 17, and also undertook a placement in ward one at the Gilbert Bain during her training.
Whilst studying Noble also worked in the holidays at the Overtonlea care home in Levenwick.
She moved to Inverness in 2007 and got her masters degree two years later.
Noble said she hoped the award win could help encourage people to think about starting – or resuming – a career in nursing.
She said during the pandemic many people left the profession.
There can be plenty of different roles within nursing including education, research, advanced practitioner work and clinical management.
At the core though is the human connection with patients – something Noble said is “really important to preserve”.
Despite having lived in Inverness for many years Noble said Shetland is “still very much home for me” – especially as her family are all still in the isles.
“I’m very proud of where I come from,” she added.
The nursing awards, though, do not quite have pride of place on the mantelpiece yet – as it seems success runs in the family.
“When we got home from Edinburgh my oldest boy Jack, he’s 10, had also won Beauly shinty player of the year,” Noble said.
“His award has actually taken precedence and mine has been very much shelved for shinty player of the year!”
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