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A nurse from leading Scottish care home group, BCG, has been recognised by the very best in the nursing sector for the outstanding level of care she provides to her residents at a Kirriemuir care home.
Robyn Oliphant, (now Robyn McInroy) Clinical Lead and a registered nurse at BCG Lisden, has won the Care Home Nursing Award at the prestigious RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards.
The awards, from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland, spotlight excellence in Scottish nursing, acknowledging, highlighting, and celebrating the unwavering commitment and exceptional professional care provided by nursing staff across Scotland.
Robyn was one of three finalists in the Care Home Nursing Award category, which aims to recognise the impact and importance of nursing in social care and those who have made an outstanding contribution in person-centred care and quality of life for residents in care homes.
Robyn was inspired to study nursing while she worked as a carer at Lisden. Qualifying in Adult Nursing in 2020, Robyn returned to Lisden as a nurse in 2022 and is now Clinical Lead, overseeing the clinical needs of all her residents.
Robyn told us:
“I never knew I wanted to be a nurse. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after I finished my English degree and I came to BCG Lisden as a carer. I think I only worked for about nine months as a carer – but I loved it so much, I was doing six or seven shifts a week! There was a running joke that if there was ever a shift going, Robyn would do it.
“I do feel being a nurse was meant to be,” Robyn added. “It was the first job I’d had where I wasn’t watching the clock desperate to go home. It was the first time I’d enjoyed my days at work.”
Since re-joining Lisden, and joining her mother, Agnes – who was there to support her last night, and Home Manager at the BCG Kirriemuir Home – Robyn has been instrumental in implementing more clinical reviews for the residents, with monthly reviews taking place with the local GP, which have significantly added to the quality of clinical care the residents receive.
Robyn has also provided training and support to a number of overseas nurses as they prepare for their OSCE exams, both at Lisden and within other homes across BCG.
Robyn said:
“I’m incredibly grateful to have been nominated and amazed to have won. It feels like such a huge achievement: It’s wonderful to receive such recognition for the work that I do. I’m so proud to represent care home nursing – it’s a complex, challenging and highly rewarding job that sometimes gets overlooked and is often undervalued as a career option within nursing.
“At Lisden and within BCG, I have some wonderful nursing colleagues who are skilled, dedicated and passionate about their role and I’m pleased to be able to represent some of the fantastic nursing practice that exists within care homes.”
Karen Johnson, Managing Director at BCG, said:
“Huge congratulations go to Robyn. She is a fantastic ambassador for BCG and we could not be more proud of her win. To see Robyn, an exceptional care home nurse, recognised by the RCN is a hugely significant moment for us.
“There are many preconceptions attached to care home nursing that often see our nurses being underestimated. The work Robyn, and all our nurses do is often challenging and extremely varied; working with people with very complex clinical needs. I’m delighted to see Robyn shining a light on the incredible work they do.”
The winners were announced at a glittering awards ceremony held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on Thursday, 23 May, 2024. Robyn was in attendance with her mother, Agnes, who also runs Lisden care home.
