Colleagues are keeping their fingers crossed that Walall Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Harmony Owhotake is the judges’ favourite after he was shortlisted for a national award.

Harmony is in the running for the Ann Shuttleworth Rising Star Award at the Nursing Times Awards 2023.

 He joined Walsall Healthcare in 2021 – in his first NHS role – and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “That was so challenging but also taught us all such a lot,” he said.

 He initially worked on Ward 2 as a Staff Nurse where he describes the team as being “like a second family” before moving to his new family in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).

 “I have no family here in the UK with me, they are all back in Nigeria, so the love and support that my new work families have given me is just so special,” he said.

 “It is because of this that I felt confident and comfortable to fill out the application for the Nursing Times Awards – they have given me a belief in myself and are absolutely amazing. I loved working on Ward 2 and when the IPC role came up I saw it as an opportunity that would still ensure I focused on patient care but from a different perspective.

 “I was so thrilled when I was successful.”

 His colleagues describe Harmony as “an absolute” star.

Amy Boden, Head of IPC, said: “Harmony is a passionate and dedicated member of the team who has such a lovely nature – we’re all struck by his warmth and compassion. He is an absolute star and a winner in our eyes.”

 There are 12 nominees in each category at the prestigious event, which takes place on Wednesday 25 October 2023 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London.