‘I Almost Said No’: Nursing Student of the Year Runner-Up Reflects on Growth
Male Nursing Students Continue to Make Their Mark
As judges deliberated over this year’s contenders for the LASCO through the LASCO Chin Foundation and Nurses Association of Jamaica Nursing Student of the Year title, one thing was already clear — Jamaica’s next generation of nurses is bringing far more than academic excellence to the profession.
Determined character. Leadership. Compassion. Service.
Those are among the qualities the awards programme seeks to recognise — qualities that helped propel then third-year University of Technology, Jamaica, Western Campus student Okeive Matheson to first runner-up in last year’s competition, despite initially believing the programme was not for him.
“When I was first approached by Miss Teisha Vaugh [a lecturer at the UTech Caribbean School of Nursing] about the recommendation, I almost said no,” Matheson shared. “I don’t like competition — it’s a different ball game and I’m extremely shy. So, it wasn’t something I wanted to do off the bat, but I eventually said let me try, with encouragement from her and my peers.”
That decision would ultimately lead him to being named the first runner-up for the 2025-2026 Nursing Student of the Year title — one of the country’s most prestigious recognitions for emerging nursing professionals.
Today, as anticipation builds for the announcement of this year’s winners during National Nurses Week, Matheson, who is at the end of his fourth and final year of nursing school, is encouraging his peers to embrace opportunities that challenge them, reminding them that one decision to step outside their comfort zone could shape the course of their careers.
“This was the result of a try. To any nursing student considering it, take the chance and give your all. Your path may be directed by something higher than yourself, and you might discover something you truly enjoy. It’s better to take the chance than live with regret,” Matheson said.
His journey reflects many of the qualities judges seek in the competition including academic excellence, leadership, professionalism and commitment to service. Outside of the classroom, Matheson serves as an assistant class representative, a mentor to junior nursing students and has held leadership roles as the editor and public relations officer within the Students’ Union Sub-Council. Students from institutions including the University of the West Indies School of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University and Excelsior School of Nursing have sought his guidance during their on-the-ward clinical experiences.
“Persons have always come to me for advice. Whether it’s helping students on the wards or guiding younger students through patient care, I enjoy supporting others,” Matheson explained.
He continued, “Nursing school is incredibly rewarding, but it also demands a great deal of commitment, discipline and sacrifice. Between balancing lectures, clinical rotations, examinations and the personal costs that come with training, students can sometimes feel overwhelmed. That's why programmes like the LASCO Chin Foundation Nursing Student of the Year Awards are so meaningful. They remind us that our hard work is being recognised, appreciated and encouraged, and that motivates us to keep striving for excellence.”
The LASCO, NAJ Nursing and Nursing Student of the Year Awards programme is also highlighting another encouraging trend, that is, the increased participation by male nursing students. This year, four of the eleven Nursing Student of the Year finalists were male, up from three male finalists in 2025. While nursing continues to be a female-dominated profession globally, Matheson believes male nurses are making meaningful contributions to the field.
“There’s definitely pressure on the males because there are so few of us,” he said. “At my campus, there are only five males in fourth year. But the presence of make students helps bring balance and different perspectives, and I think that benefits everyone.”
According to Danielle Cunningham, Communications Manager at LASCO, the increase in male participation is a positive sign for the profession. “We were particularly encouraged to see four male nursing students among this year’s finalists,” Cunningham noted. “Nursing thrives when it reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. We hope to see even more males stepping forward in future years, not only to participate in the competition but to pursue leadership roles within the profession.”
Cunningham added that while academic achievement remains important, judges evaluate a much broader range of qualities.
“The competition seeks to identify well-rounded nursing professionals who demonstrate leadership, compassion, critical thinking, community involvement and a genuine commitment to patient care. The strongest candidates are those who can combine clinical competence with the ability to inspire and positively impact others,” she said.
Judging for the 2026-2027 Nurse and Nursing Student of the Year Awards was completed on June 20, with winners set to be announced at the ceremony on July 24. For Matheson, the experience has reinforced his passion for nursing, a profession he entered somewhat unexpectedly during the heigh of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally considering a career in forensic pathology, he applied to nursing school on the recommendation of a former classmate. Matheson has expressed an interest to advance his studies as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anaesthetist.
“I like nursing now. I’m invested in it,” he said.
And for students considering whether to put themselves forward for future instalments of the programme, Matheson’s advice remains simple: “Take the chance.”
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