Categories and criteria
Diabetes Nursing Awards recognises outstanding individuals and teams working in the field of diabetes today.
Participants may enter up to two categories.
Check out the nine awards categories.
Award category
Community DSN of the Year
The Community DSN of the Year Award honours nurses who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the care and support of individuals living with diabetes in the community.
Entrants must provide a comprehensive account of how their nursing practices in the community have positively impacted patients living with diabetes. This includes showcasing innovative interventions, protocols or strategies that have improved patient outcomes. Submissions should be supported by tangible evidence, such as data indicating positive changes in health metrics or testimonials from patients and colleagues.
Successful candidates will distinguish themselves by highlighting qualities such as leadership, adaptability and a commitment to staying at the forefront of advancements in diabetes care.
Entrants are invited to give examples of when they have shared best practice and diabetes education with colleagues to promote high standards of care.
The Community DSN of the Year should present a compelling narrative backed by evidence, illustrating their significant contributions and showcasing why their distinct approach deserves this prestigious recognition.
Award category
Inpatient DSN of the Year
The Inpatient DSN of the Year Award honours nurses who are working hard to improve the care of patients living with diabetes, recognising their pivotal role in educating both patients and colleagues and improving patient outcomes.
Entrants must articulate a profound dedication to patient support and care, emphasising innovative practices that underscore their commitment to enhancing the diabetes care landscape.
Entrants should provide a vivid narrative of their impact on patients living with diabetes, showcasing interventions that have brought about tangible improvements.
The Inpatient DSN of the Year is invited to give examples of instances where they have shared best practices and education with their peers to effectively raise standards of care.
Their submission should underscore why their unique approach merits this award, setting them apart as an exemplary figure in this field.
Award category
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award celebrates nurses whose ingenuity is helping to transform diabetes care in the UK.
Entrants are asked to explain the nature and impact of the innovations they have introduced, providing compelling evidence of how they are helping to advance the realm of diabetes nursing.
Entrants should showcase the tangible outcomes of their innovations, supported by concrete evidence such as quantitative data, testimonials or illustrative case studies.
Candidates will further distinguish themselves by sharing examples of how they’ve actively influenced colleagues and others in the field to embrace innovative practices.
The winner should emphasise their leadership, collaborative spirit and dedication to elevating standards of care through the dissemination of best practices and education.
Their entry should convincingly convey why their unique contributions merit this recognition, establishing them as a trailblazer in diabetes nursing innovation.
Award category
Diabetes Technology Nursing Award
The Diabetes Technology Nursing Award recognises nurses who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in implementing technology to improve care for people living with diabetes. This includes the effective use of tools such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, digital apps or other technology-based interventions.
Entrants must provide a comprehensive account of how they have integrated technology into care to improve outcomes, enhance self-management or support more personalised approaches to diabetes treatment. Examples may include educating people living with diabetes and colleagues on technology use, developing protocols or pathways or leading initiatives that increase access to and uptake of diabetes technology.
Submissions should be supported by tangible evidence, such as improvements in clinical metrics, patient engagement, satisfaction or service efficiency. Entrants should highlight how their work has empowered the people they support, enhanced safety or promoted equity in access to diabetes technology.
Successful candidates will demonstrate qualities such as leadership, adaptability and a commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in diabetes care. Entrants are invited to provide examples of sharing best practice and training colleagues to ensure wider adoption of technology within their teams or services.
The Diabetes Technology Nursing Award winner will present a compelling, evidence-backed narrative showing how their innovative use of technology has positively transformed care and made a tangible difference in the lives of people living with diabetes.
Award category
Diabetes Educator of the Year
The Diabetes Educator of the Year Award recognises nurses dedicated to advancing diabetes education in the UK.
They should give examples of how they have helped to increase their patients’ knowledge about diabetes, providing evidence, where possible, of where this has helped patients to better manage their diabetes, resulting in better outcomes for them.
Entrants should also showcase a commitment to their own ongoing education in diabetes care and explain how they actively promote education to their colleagues to enhance standards of care and outcomes for people living with diabetes.
Candidates should provide evidence of their personal commitment to education, highlighting relevant certifications, courses or advancements in diabetes knowledge.
The Diabetes Educator of the Year is also invited to share any examples of their development of, or contribution to, educational practices – such as training sessions, workshops, webinars or resources – that are designed to share best practice and education with fellow healthcare professionals.
Award category
Excellence Award
The Excellence Award recognises a standout project, team, individual or initiative which has significantly elevated diabetes care standards.
The winning entry must showcase innovation, improvement and measurable impact in service delivery.
The awardee should demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs of people living with diabetes, with the project addressing identified gaps or challenges in diabetes care and management.
Evidence of effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement and seamless integration into existing healthcare structures is essential.
The winner should provide tangible results, such as improved outcomes for people living with diabetes, enhanced patient experience or increased efficiency.
Overall, the Excellence Award will embody creativity and a transformative contribution to diabetes nursing and education.
Award category
Research Project of the Year
The Research Project of the Year honours an outstanding initiative that advances the field of diabetes nursing through rigorous inquiry.
The winning project must exhibit methodological excellence, offering innovative insights into diabetes care.
It should demonstrate a clear research question, robust study design and ethical considerations.
The winner should showcase the practical implications of their findings on improving diabetes nursing practice or patient outcomes.
Notable contributions to the scientific community, such as publications or presentations, are welcomed.
Overall, the Research Project of the Year exemplifies a commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries of knowledge in diabetes nursing.
Award category
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award celebrates a promising newcomer in the world of diabetes nursing who has demonstrated exceptional potential and dedication to diabetes care.
To secure this honour, the winner must show outstanding achievements early in their career, including notable contributions to patient outcomes, innovative practices or community engagement.
The judges will be on the look out for evidence of initiative, adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning.
The Rising Star embodies a dynamic, forward-thinking individual who is poised to make a lasting mark on the field of diabetes nursing.
Award category
Diabetes Pharmacist of the Year Award
The Diabetes Pharmacist of the Year Award recognises pharmacists who have made an outstanding contribution to the care and support of people living with diabetes through their expertise in medicines optimisation, patient education and collaborative working within multidisciplinary teams.
Entrants must provide a comprehensive account of how their professional practice has improved outcomes for people living with diabetes. This may include initiatives that support safe and effective use of diabetes medications, optimisation of treatment pathways or interventions that enhance adherence, safety and understanding of their therapies.
Successful candidates may also showcase examples of how they have worked alongside nurses, clinicians and other healthcare professionals to deliver integrated, patient-centred care.
The Diabetes Pharmacist of the Year will present a compelling narrative backed by evidence, clearly demonstrating how their expertise, dedication and innovative approach to medicines optimisation have made a meaningful difference to people living with diabetes.
