University of the Highlands and Islands: Inverness nursing student wins UHI title
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 UHI’s department of nursing and midwifery. She explained: “Darryl 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.
“As part of Darryl’s 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 UHI 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 UHI and is an advocate for men in nursing.
“Despite Darryl’s 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.
“Darryl 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.”
As the winner of UHI nursing student of the year award, Darryl will receive a certificate and a cheque for £100. He will now go forward as a candidate for the overall UHI student of the year title.
Speaking about his success, Darryl said: “As 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!”