A NURSE who qualified just two years ago has won an award for giving students an insight into the profession.

Lorraine Poxon was chosen ahead of 2,000 colleagues to be named Keele University's mentor of the year.

The 43-year-old, of Furlong Avenue, Tean, has taken around a dozen students nurses under her wing at Cheadle Hospital.

Mother-of-three Lorraine said: "I am absolutely thrilled with the award. I didn't even know I had been nominated. I was only told just before the ceremony.

"I was incredibly nervous when I had to make an acceptance speech."

Lorraine, who works in elderly assessment and palliative care on ward two, was promoted to senior staff nurse last June.

And despite the long shifts she decided to continue training at Keele University so she could pass on her skills to students.

She qualified as a mentor seven months ago and now watches over two to three nurses per six-week placement.

Lorraine, who brought her family up in South Africa before moving to the Staffordshire Moorlands, said: "I work really closely with the trainees and show them the fundamentals of caring for a patient.

"I can remember what is like myself as I haven't long been qualified and I enjoy helping them."

Lorraine, who studied nursing for three years at Staffordshire University, was inspired to assist student nurses after the help she received from an "excellent" mentor.

She said: "My mentor was a senior sister on a busy acute surgical ward but she still took time out for me, my questions, insecurities and triumphs.

"I enjoy the challenge of having a student nurse keeping me on my toes. It can sometimes be a two-way street with students letting me know current trends and changes in practice.

"It's also about finding the weaknesses of a student and turning it into a strength."

Lorraine praised the team at Cheadle Hospital, in Royal Walk.

She added: "The award is a credit to everyone on ward two. We all work together."

Cathy Longmore, clinical placements facilitator, admitted she was proud one of her nurses had been deemed the best.

She said: "Lorraine is an inspiration to student nurses and is happy to go that extra mile in providing them with guidance and support."

Kath Ramage, matron at Cheadle Hospital, said: "Lorraine is a good role model for future nurses.

"She always puts the patients first and she is a valuable asset to the ward."

Lorraine was nominated anonymously.

The student who put her forward for the award wrote: "If I can end up being half the nurse Lorraine is then I would be over the moon. Her attitude to nursing, her relationship with the patients and with other people is amazing. She truly is an inspiration.

"She has made me believe that I can do it, I can become a good nurse and it is all down to her."