Kildare nurse Cathy Mullen wins education excellence award

Cathy Mullen a Simulation Nurse Instructor, who lives in Clane, Co Kildare, has been awarded the ‘Emerging Leader in Simulation’ Award by the National Simulation Office. This national recognition reflects Cathy’s outstanding contribution to expanding Simulation‑Based Inter‑professional Education across Tallaght University Hospital (where Cathy works currently) and the wider Dublin Midlands Region.

Since her appointment as Simulation Nurse Instructor in 2022 and more recently stepping into the role of Simulation Nurse Lead, the first position of its kind in an acute hospital in Ireland, Cathy has played a pivotal role in shaping how simulation supports learning and clinical practice. Her leadership has helped broaden access to high‑quality simulation training, strengthen collaboration between disciplines, and enhance the realism and effectiveness of educational experiences for staff and students.

Cathy’s work continues to influence how we train, communicate, and deliver safe, high‑quality patient care. This award is a well‑deserved acknowledgement of her dedication, innovation, and commitment to advancing simulation as a core component of healthcare education. There is no doubt her leadership will continue to inspire colleagues and positively impact patient outcomes in the years ahead.

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