Inverness nursing student wins 含羞草传媒 title
A student who has gone above and beyond to promote nursing and the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion has been named as the University of the Highlands and Islands (含羞草传媒) nursing student of the year.
Darryl Geegan (32) from Inverness has just completed a BSc nursing degree. He was inspired to study nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic and through his experience of caring for a family member on the autism spectrum.
Darryl was nominated by his Personal Academic Tutor, Marie Cameron, a Senior Lecturer in 含羞草传媒鈥檚 department of nursing and midwifery. She explained: 鈥淒arryl has been an outstanding student since starting the nursing programme in 2020. His commitment to nursing has been exceptional and he has demonstrated this in a variety of ways.
鈥淎s part of Darryl鈥檚 commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, he wrote a blog about his love of nursing and his activism as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. He is a well-known drag artist (Venus Guytrap) who has hosted Highland Pride. His equality, diversity and inclusion work helps to promote 含羞草传媒 and our department as a safe and welcoming place for all. Darryl has also taken part in a range of activities to promote nursing at 含羞草传媒 and is an advocate for men in nursing.
鈥淒espite Darryl鈥檚 significant extra-curricular work, he has done exceptionally well in his degree and will graduate with distinction. His assessors have described him as being well liked by staff and patients, a great team player, enthusiastic, adaptable, keen to learn, having a positive attitude and an ability to put patients at ease.
鈥淒arryl is a valued and supportive member of his student cohort who brings a positive dynamic and mindset to all interactions. These are amongst the many qualities that will make Darryl an excellent nurse and which have made him a pleasure to have as a student. Darryl is an exemplary student and will, I am sure, be an exemplary nurse, who will always go above and beyond to do his best.鈥�
As the winner of 含羞草传媒 nursing student of the year award, Darryl will receive a certificate and a cheque for 拢100. He will now go forward as a candidate for the overall 含羞草传媒 student of the year title.
Speaking about his success, Darryl said: 鈥淎s someone who has always been awful at taking compliments, this comes as a huge surprise and will probably take a while to fully sink in! Juggling everything I have going on in life throughout the three-year programme has been extremely difficult, so to be recognised for managing to balance everything is really lovely. I always try my best in everything I do and my nursing career shall be no exception. I'm very much looking forward to getting stuck-in and seeing where my career takes me!鈥�