Nursing Student Wins National Award After Internship Abroad

Where Are They Now?

In 2020, Temi, a final-year nursing student at Anglia Ruskin University, won the RCNi Nursing Student of the Year Award. One of the most prestigious accolades in UK nursing. Her recognition stemmed from an international elective in Africa, where she transformed her placement into a platform for community empowerment, infection prevention, and health system support.

Looking for a pre-nursing internship or nursing elective abroad? Inquire here.

From Student to Changemaker

Temi set out to gain practical experience in a low-resource healthcare setting, but she quickly went further than shadowing and observing. With the support of her NHS trust and fundraising in the UK, she:

I. Organised medical resource donations: 

Temi successfully shipped boxes of vital supplies to her placement hospital, including sharps boxes, gloves, and sanitation products that were in critically short supply.

II. Launched a hand hygiene programme: 

She worked alongside staff to create an initiative that improved infection control practices and was credited with reducing hospital-acquired infections.

III. Created a widows’ health support group: 

Recognising gaps in community engagement, she organised a programme offering basic health checks, screenings, and empowerment sessions for widows in the village where she was based.

For a student still completing her training, these contributions were remarkable. They highlighted not only her clinical dedication but also her ability to think holistically about global health and community wellbeing.

Recognition on a National Stage

Back in the UK, Temi shared her experience as part of her application to the RCNi Nurse Awards. The competition attracts hundreds of entries each year, with a judging panel made up of leaders from across the nursing profession, including senior figures from the Royal College of Nursing and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Temi was shortlisted among the finalists, and eventually named Student Nurse of the Year. She later reflected:

“It wasn’t just about me. The award celebrates the fact that so many people, local staff, community members, and supporters back home, came together to make the project a success.”

Her story was featured widely, not only within nursing circles but also across national media, positioning her as a rising voice in healthcare innovation and advocacy.

Lessons from the Experience

Temi’s elective demonstrated what international placements can offer that domestic rotations often cannot:

I. Resourcefulness in low-resource settings

With limited equipment and medications, she learned to adapt and innovate, skills that translate into any healthcare environment.

II. Cultural competence

Immersing herself in Africa allowed her to better understand cultural and socioeconomic influences on patient care, which she now applies when working with diverse patient populations in the UK.

III. Leadership and advocacy

Taking initiative in infection control and community engagement projects built her confidence as both a nurse and a leader.

These lessons made her stand out. Not only in an awards application but in interviews, academic discussions, and her future nursing career.

Why Global Healthcare Placements Matter

Temi’s story is an inspiring reminder that international healthcare internships can shape a professional journey in profound ways. They open doors to unique experiences, force students to think differently, and demonstrate resilience, creativity, and cross-cultural competence to future employers.

At Go Elective, we see these transformations every day. Our nursing electives in Kenya and Tanzania give students the chance to:

#1. Gain guided hands-on clinical exposure 

In teaching hospitals and specialist wards, under the guidance of experienced local mentors.

#2. Experience diverse health systems

Learning how different cultures and resource levels shape care delivery.

#3. Contribute meaningfully 

By engaging in community health initiatives, while still working within safe, structured, and supervised environments.

#4. Build confidence and independence 

By stepping outside familiar systems and adapting to new challenges.

#5. Stand out in applications and interviews 

By showcasing global health experience, cultural competence, and initiative.

Every placement is carefully tailored to a student’s goals, whether in surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, midwifery, or nursing specialties. Ensuring that the experience is as impactful as it is rewarding.

Final Takeaway

Temi’s award-winning journey illustrates what’s possible when you combine clinical learning with a global perspective. While not every placement will lead directly to a national award, every overseas elective has the power to change your outlook, strengthen your skills, and leave you better prepared for the realities of a healthcare career.

Interested in shaping your own story? Explore Go Elective’s clinical internships abroad and discover how you can build clinical confidence, global awareness, and experiences that last a lifetime.

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Dental Internships, Nursing Internships, PA Internships, Med Schools, Residency,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 20, 2025