KCL student nurse wins national award for asthma training

She was given the ‘Rising Star Award’ 2024 by the Royal College of Nursing

3 weeks ago | UPDATED 3 weeks ago

King’s College London student, Saffi Nantwi, has been named winner of the Royal College of Nursing Rising Star Award 2024.

Saffi received the award for her development of bespoke training for teachers managing students with asthma. She did so as a school nurse student from the post-graduate diploma (PGDip) specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN) programme.

The Rising Star Awards – held in October during Black History Month, and now in their seventh year – are an annual celebration of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic community nurses.

The awards also recognise midwives, nursing support workers and nursing/midwifery students. Those nominated are considered to have made an outstanding contribution to nursing in London throughout the year.

The King’s student developed a custom training programme for teachers of students with asthma, including instruction on how to manage an asthma attack in the school setting. She created the bespoke training whilst working hands-on as a student nurse at Parsons Green Health Centre, and her efforts have now earned her the Rising Star Award for 2024.

Now graduated from the PGDip, Saffi has re-enrolled to advance her qualification to a Masters. Her NHS Trust (Central London Community Healthcare) described her as an “excellent role model” with “compassionate leadership qualities”.

The trust also emphasised that Saffi received the award for her “professionalism”, “excellent communication skills”, and “passion towards being an effective school nurse”.

Saffi receives the award this year alongside 21 other members of nursing staff across London. This includes nurse Olasubomi Oworu, a member of the same trust.

Olasubomi received the Rising Star Award for her “exceptional empathy” towards patients, demonstrating high quality care and “remarkable” commitment to her profession.