Nominations Explained

Western Australia (WA) has over 50,000 nurses and midwives who work in incredibly diverse sectors and settings.

The WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards are firmly focused on recognising excellence. All WA registered nurses and midwives are eligible for nomination irrespective of their practice area or place of work.

Nurses and midwives make a profound difference every day. They are pivotal in meeting the healthcare needs of the communities they serve and contributing to the growing body of evidence that strengthens clinical decision-making, teaching, learning, and policy reform to improve healthcare outcomes. 

Excellence in nursing and midwifery reflects exceptional talent, unwavering commitment, and qualities that consistently exceed professional standards. Excellence is demonstrated by individuals who go above and beyond to create meaningful change in the lives of patients, colleagues, and the broader health system.

Excellence in the professions can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including:

• Consistently delivering the highest standard of evidence-based care
• Enhancing the patient or consumer experience through compassionate, person-centred practice
• Demonstrating leadership and professionalism that positively influences their field
• Mentoring and nurturing the next generation of nursing and midwifery leaders
• Sharing knowledge to improve care and advance the professions
• Achieving remarkable outcomes quietly and humbly
• Embodying values and integrity in every aspect of their work

If you know a nurse, midwife, or team who exhibits excellence, we invite you to share their story. Your nomination helps ensure their contributions are recognised, appreciated, and celebrated by the wider community.

The nomination categories cover all areas and sectors of nursing and midwifery practice including public, private or federally funded services. The categories reflect the diverse environments in which nurses and midwives work – across clinical care, education, management, and research.

Nominate a nurse, midwife or team within the category most relevant to their practice.

The WANMEA team is committed to enhance the nomination process and promote the nominations of the many deserving nurses and midwives who demonstrate excellence and make a difference to the community in which they serve.

The three key processes to be aware of when nominating are:

1. The Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Head of School/Head of Service must endorse the nomination. Nursing and Midwifery leaders wish to support their nurses and midwives and help them gain the recognition they deserve. The Endorsement of Nomination form must be completed in full and attached to your submission.

To access the Endorsement of Nomination form click here.

1. A nominee statement is required to provide the judging panel with insight into the nominee’s contributions and impacts to their profession. This statement allows the nurse or midwife to respond to specific questions and reflect on their practice. Please ensure the nominee completes this statement and it is included as an attachment to the nomination.

NOTE: Nominations in the Excellence in Person-Centred Care – Team Award do not require a nominee statement.

To access the Nominee Statement form click here.

3. Shortlisted nominees (excluding Team Award) will be required to attend a short interview via MS Teams to provide the judging panel with a greater understanding of the nurse or midwife’s personal insights, values and contributions to their field. This interview offers an opportunity for the nominee to highlight the impact they have made within their community and profession.

There are 14 general categories for nurses and midwives to be nominated in.

Excellence in Enrolled Nursing

This award recognises an enrolled nurse who upholds the highest standards of practice and professionalism, and is dedicated to delivering high-quality, safe, evidence-based, and person-centred care. As an inspiring role model, they collaborate with colleagues, patients, and families to ensure shared decision-making that fosters positive outcomes. Eligible enrolled nurses may be working within any sector not covered by the other categories including acute care, sub-acute care, care awaiting placement, extended care, hospital in the home, mental health or rehabilitation.

Excellence in Registered Nursing

This award recognises a registered nurse who exemplifies excellence in clinical practice and professionalism. They are an inspiring role model, committed to delivering safe, evidence-based, and person-centred care. They lead, advocate, and contribute to outstanding standards of nursing care, drive continuous improvement, and champion the integration of best practice. Eligible registered nurses may be working within any sector not covered by the other categories including acute care, sub-acute care, care awaiting placement, extended care, hospital in the home, mental health or rehabilitation.

Excellence in Midwifery

This award recognises a midwife who exemplifies the highest standards of midwifery practice and professionalism. They are committed to deliver women-centred, evidence-based care, and make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of women, babies and families. As an inspiring role model, they embody leadership, advocacy, and a dedication to collaborative midwifery practice.  Eligible midwives may be working across any sector not covered by the other categories including antenatal, labour or post-natal care provided in either community or hospital settings.

Excellence in Leadership – Emerging Leader

This award recognises an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife who has been in a leadership position for less than 3 years and/or demonstrates natural leadership in their role. Ambitious and growth-focused, they inspire others while building skills, driving innovation, and empowering their team.

Excellence in Leadership – Established Leaders

This award recognises an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife who is a recognised and respected leader within their organisation and has more than 3 years leadership experience. They exemplify leadership that drives excellence in practice, cultivates a culture of service, safety, compassion and collegiality, shapes team dynamics, and improves patient outcomes.

Excellence in Education

This award recognises an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse, or Midwife who demonstrates excellence in education and champions life-long learning. Through their dedication to teaching and professional development, they foster continuous improvement and positively influence clinical practice and health outcomes. Nominees educate: 

1. student nurses or midwives
2. nurses or midwives within their workplace
3. postgraduate learners
4. patients/clients.

Excellence in Rural and Remote Health

This award recognises an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife who exemplifies advocacy, leadership and collaboration in delivering person-centred care and improving health outcomes in rural and remote communities. Innovative and resourceful, the nominee fosters strong partnerships and actively responds to the unique challenges of their practice environment.

Graduate of the Year

This award recognises an exceptional graduate Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife who demonstrates a strong commitment to person-centred care. The nominee is held in high regard by peers and supervisors for their professionalism, compassion, and pursuit of excellence as a role model in their field. Eligible nominees are currently completing, or have just completed, their graduate program. Nominations should focus on the nominee’s role and achievements during their graduate year.

Excellence in Residential Care

This award recognises an Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse who demonstrates exceptional dedication to person-centred care in residential settings. The nominee works in partnership with residents, families, carers, and the healthcare team to deliver compassionate, individualised care that enhances quality of life and health outcomes. Their passion and commitment are evident in their constant efforts to elevate standards of care. Eligible nominees are currently working in residential care including aged care, disability care, hospice care, mental health, drug and alcohol services, or rehabilitation care.

Excellence in Primary, Public and Community Care

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of Enrolled nurses, Registered nurses, or Midwives working in primary, public and community care sectors. The nominee demonstrates a strong commitment to improving health outcomes through safe, evidence-based, person-centred care delivered with professionalism and clinical excellence. Eligible nominees may be working in public health, primary health, community mental health, domiciliary nursing, school health, child health, disability services, or practice nursing.

Excellence in Research

This award recognises an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife working in a clinical and/or academic setting who demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to improving healthcare quality through research. The nominee drives advancement of their profession by generating evidence that informs and influences clinical practice, shapes effective interventions, and delivers meaningful improvements in outcomes for patients and communities. 

Excellence in Aboriginal Health

This award recognises an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife who demonstrates exceptional dedication to delivering contemporary, person-centred, and culturally safe care that empowers Aboriginal people to make informed decisions and achieve better health outcomes. The nominee actively embeds culturally responsive practices into their nursing or midwifery care and has made a measurable, positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal individuals or communities in Western Australia.

Consumer Appreciation Award

Nurses and midwives play a vital role in promoting health, safety and wellbeing, often making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families. This award offers patients, clients, or their support persons an opportunity to recognise the care, compassion, dedication and kindness shown by an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife that made a meaningful difference to their lives.

Excellence in Person Centred Care – Team Award

This award recognises a nursing and/or midwifery team that delivers evidence-based, person-centred care with measurable benefits to patients, clients or the broader community. The team collaborates with individuals, families, carers and health professionals to demonstrate a “can do” attitude, professional passion, and a strong commitment to excellence in person-centred care. Eligible teams must include a minimum of two nurses and/or midwives. The award will be presented exclusively to registered members of the nursing and/or midwifery professions.

Nurses and midwives play a vital role in promoting health, safety and wellbeing, often making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families. This award offers patients, clients, or their support persons an opportunity to recognise the care, compassion, dedication and kindness shown by an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse or Midwife that made a meaningful difference to their lives.

How to Nominate Guide – Click here for the PDF version