@Body Copy News:Donna Craig is this year’s recipient of the Elizabeth Crichton Prize from the Crichton Foundation. She was presented with her award by Evelyn Hastings OBE at the statue of Elizabeth Crichton in Dumfries.
Donna became a nurse later in life and started her career with NHS Dumfries and Galloway in 2005 working in mental health at the Crichton Royal Hospital. Since then she has taken every opportunity for professional development in a bid to improve the care experience of her patients. In 2011 she moved to work as a practice and care home education facilitator locally and two years ago she became a practice educator for NHS Education for Scotland, based locally, and more recently has been appointed to a seconded post as a senior nurse for nursing and midwifery workforce workload planning. She has also just completed a Post Graduate Certificate in higher education practice and is studying towards a Masters as well as a National Scottish Coaching and Leading for Improvement Programme to further enhance her skills and knowledge.
Donna said: “I have been and continue to be passionate about service improvement and the development of staff to support this. I continue to be driven to support staff development and service improvement for the direct benefit of those in our care.” She added: “I became a nurse later in life and prior to this had varied roles in hospitality and customer service and firmly believe that access to education at any age is key to developing your full potential. Throughout my nursing career to date, professional development and post graduate study has at times been a real challenge, but always extremely rewarding both personally and professionally.
“I am very proud to be a nurse and am ever grateful for the varied opportunities nursing has given me.”
