A learning disability nursing graduate and a public health researcher made it a night to celebrate for Edinburgh Napier University at the Royal College of Nursing Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2026.
Nicola Braid, a senior learning disability nurse at NHS24, was presented with the prestigious Nurse of the Year Award during a glittering ceremony at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh last night.
A graduate of ENU’s Learning Disabilities Nursing degree, Nicola was also honoured with the Learning Disability Nursing Award.
Meanwhile, Dr Inga Heyman, an Associate Professor at ENU’s School of Health & Social Care was highly commended by judges of the Inspiring Excellence - Nursing Innovation and Research Award.
Now in its fourth year, the RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards is put on by the professional body which represents nurses to celebrate leading examples of nursing practice across the country.
Nurse of the Year
In claiming her two awards, Nicola drew praise for pioneering service improvements for people with learning disabilities and their families. Her evidence-based, inclusive leadership has delivered measurable improvements in outcomes, culture and equity across NHS 24 and NHS Scotland.
On becoming RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year 2026, Nicola said: “It is an incredible surprise and honour to be named Nurse of the Year.
“I came into learning disability nursing to make a difference and I hope that winning this award helps raise the profile of the specialty and the positive impact we have every single day.”
The RCN’s General Secretary & Chief Executive, Nicola Ranger, said: “As a digital health and care service, NHS24’s nursing staff are not as visible as those in other areas of the health and care service, but their impact is equally as measurable.
“Nicola is a shining example of how nursing delivers care for people when they need it most. I’m delighted to be in Scotland again to witness the amazing showcase of the innovative and impactful nursing practice being delivered here.
“For me, it is a reminder that nursing is such a diverse and rewarding career.”
Policing and public health research celebrated
In the Inspiring Excellence - Nursing Innovation and Research category, Inga Heyman was praised by judges as a “pioneering nurse academic whose cross-sector leadership at the intersection of health, social care and justice has transformed how services support vulnerable people.”
As Associate Professor at ENU and Honorary Forensic Nurse Consultant in NHS Lothian, Inga champions evidence-based, compassionate approaches that bridge policing, public health and community care.
She was a co-investigator in the national evaluation of Police Scotland’s naloxone carriage programme, which has been widely recognised for its policy-shaping role in assessing the treatment of suspected overdoses. Last year Inga and her colleagues also hosted a pioneering conference about neurodiversity and policing.