First Trust Bank Convocation Undergraduate Student of the Year award

2016 Winner: Bernadette McGee

During the course of her studies Bernadette has been an exemplary student and has inspired other students through her participation in University life, both as an elected class representative and a member of the Student’s Union Nursing Society.

An enduring testament to the diversity of nursing practice, Bernadette was integral in the development of a new app called ‘Farm Secure’, sponsored by the Farm Safety Partnership (FSP). The technology based interactive educational resource is aimed at increasing awareness of farm safety among children aged 5-11 years.

Drawing upon her public health/community practice learning experience, Bernadette persuaded other student nurse team members of the importance of farm safety as a public health priority. To bring the project from vision to reality, she demonstrated exemplary leadership, team management skills, tenacity and entrepreneurial prowess. The app will be incorporated into the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) child farm safety education programme.

Bernadette has successfully balanced her study commitments with caring responsibilities. At weekends she is a full-time carer for her grandmother with dementia and she has also cared for relatives with cancer. She has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to charity work and was a volunteer with the St Vincent de Paul society.

Previous Winners