A former student nurse at Kingston University has been nominated for a prestigious national award.

Martina Gomez, who graduated from the university this summer, has been nominated for the Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities award at this year's Student Nursing Times awards.

Martina is being recognised for her passion and drive to address inequalities people with learning disabilities face, taking multiple leadership roles to nurture and inspire her peers and her work on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The mature student was first inspired to pursue a career in health and social care by her 18 year old autistic son.

At Kingston she formed a group of nursing students and academics from across the nursing fields who could be Learning Disability Champions at the University and in acute general hospitals in the borough.

She also chaired the Kingston Nursing Society and volunteered as an academic mentor for first-year students.

During the pandemic Martina worked in a Twickenham residential care home alongside other Kingston University students, while also finding care and support for her son.

She found time to enter a university competition and her idea, a reusable learning resource giving information to healthcare professionals, was highly commended by the judges.

Martina also donated more than 200 hand creams to fellow care and nursing home staff after receiving cash pledges to give the items to key workers.

This helped staff keep their hands clean and moisturised throughout their shifts.

Martina said: "Learning disability nursing and supporting individuals is more than a job, it is every part of who I am.

"I'm passionate about education and awareness and hope that, during my studies at Kingston, I was able to make some difference."

Daniel Marsden, senior lecturer in learning disability nursing at Kingston University and Martina's personal tutor, said: "Martina's values, drive and perseverance to mitigate the inequalities people with learning disabilities face is awe-inspiring.

"The work she does nurturing and inspiring the next generation of nurses is vital and a testament to the ways she can creatively express herself and ensure her message is heard."

The Student Nursing Times winners will be announced on Thursday 4 November at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

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