Graduate nurse named finalist in state Nursing and Midwifery Awards

Alexandra Penn from the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is among 24 state-wide finalists nominated for the 2020 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

Alexandra is one of three individuals nominated in the ‘New to Practice Nurse/Midwife of the Year’ category, which recognises graduates who have shown exceptional potential during their first year of practice as well as demonstrated passion and commitment to providing quality, safe and compassionate care to patients.

"I feel incredibly honoured to have been chosen as a finalist for this award. I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance I receive from the education and management teams, and feel very lucky to be surrounded by a group of nurses that share my passion for neonatal nursing," said Alexandra.

An enthusiastic and respected member of her team, Alexandra has a knack for putting families at ease in any given situation – from supporting a family grieving the loss of their baby to empowering another to have the confidence to take their chronically sick bub home for the first time.

Making parents feel safe, confident and trusting in our abilities to provide their child with the care they need is incredibly important. It not only contributes greatly to a child’s recovery and welfare but emboldens families to actively participate in their child’s care long after they’ve left our hospitals.

There are currently more than 53,000 nurses and midwives working in NSW Health hospitals and health services.

The NSW Government is investing $2.8 billion to recruit 8,300 extra frontline staff over the next three years, including an additional 5,000 more nurses and midwives.

This year, in line with COVID-19 safety measures, the NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards ceremony will be virtual and streamed live on November 26 – please join us in wishing Alexandra the best of luck!

The NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards recognise the contribution and dedication of nurses and midwives working in the NSW public health system. For more information on the Awards, click here.