"It's a way of giving health back to people on the ground," said Lower Mid North Coast sector manager Jodi Nieass.

"It can be a challenging job, and their hard efforts deserve to be recognised."

Registered nurse Olivia Dodds was awarded the 'Late Lionel John Wright Education Grant'.

The award was started in honour of Lionel John Wright, who passed away in 2012.

Lionel was cared for in the hospital's palliative care unit, and his family wanted to show their thanks for the "tremendous" care he received.

Director of nursing and midwifery at Manning Hospital Sue Arber said, "this is there way of giving back."

Lionel's daughter Penny Wright presented the award to Olivia.

Ms Nieass said award recipients received money to go towards funding further education in their field.

"Nursing and midwifery are professions, where people often undersell themselves," she said.

"It's a nice surprise to see colleagues noticing your efforts."

Other awards were presented on the day. These include midwife of the year Lyn Murray, nurse of the year Cheryl Mason and Peter Kanyaro, enrolled nurse of the year Lauren Fletcher, new graduate of the year Leah Muntz, NUMs Choice Award Karen De Gioia and outstanding senior leadership award Lyn Murray and Donna Nicholson.

FOR nurses and midwives International Nurses and Midwives Day is a day to stop, in a job that doesn't. 

"It can be 24/7," said lower Mid North Coast sector manager Jodi Nieass. Jodi says it is important nurses get this recognition and a day to enjoy their achievements, as a way of giving "health" back to them too. 

On the day Manning Hospital nurses and midwives came together for an awards ceremony and luncheon. 

Seven awards, and educational grants were given out to nine recipients. 

Lyn Murray was awarded 'Midwife of the Year' out of seven nominees. Lyn has been a midwife for around 18 years. She was the first student midwife to do her training at Manning Hospital, and had worked at the hospital previously in other sections. 

Lyn loves her work as she gets to, "look after women and their babies." 

"It's always wonderful when a baby is born. It's a miracle," she said. 

The 'Nurse of the Year' was awarded to Cheryl Mason and Peter Kanyaro out of 29 nominees. Cheryl said had no hesistation in saying nursing will be her career for life. She was drawn to a career in nursing, following working as an assistant in nursing (AIM) in aged care. 

"You do your job, because that's just what you do. But to have someone notice the work you do is really touching." 

Lauren Fletcher was awarded the Victoria Peters Shield as 'Enrolled Nurse of the Year' out of 12 nominees.

Lauren says she wasn't originally set on becoming a nurse, but now she couldn't imagine it any other way.

"I'm so glad I did, because it is such a rewarding and diverse career," said Lauren.  

"It is a job of love and passion, you have to come to work and love what you do."