My role as a learning representative
by Marjorie Couch
In 1998 I completed my Conversion course with the RCN in Cardiff; my personal tutor was Judith Allen, RCN Educational Officer. Judith encouraged all of her students to bring back to the workplace all of their learning experiences. She also encouraged me to become a Professional Facilitator (as we were called back then).
This was in 1999, since then my aim had been to set up a Resource rooms within my own place of work (County Hospital, Griffithstown, Pontypool), it has taken me until February 2003 for anyone to take on board the concept of having a resource room based within the hospital.
Since 1999 I have held monthly training sessions in teaching staff how to use the Graseby Syringe Driver, incorporated into this I have educated staff about my role as a learning representative, encouraging them to set up their own personal profiles and how to continue with their lifelong learning and importantly bringing this back to the workplace, so that everyone can benefit from their education, thereby giving evidence-based care to their patients. At all times I have encouraged my colleagues to reflect upon their practice.
Pooling resources
Part of my role has been to visit the headquarters of the RCN where I pick up any relevant information and disseminate this to my colleagues throughout the hospital. As an NVQ assessor, I have been able to assist the nursing auxiliaries with their learning needs. I also incorporated the learning representative role within my roles as an RCN steward and a health & safety representative by bringing resource information into these sessions, eg, staff required information on needlestick injury prevention. This was provided by the RCN and disseminated through the Risk Assessors Group, which I chair bi-monthly.
Whenever I am given the opportunity to meet someone new within the health care setting, I always inform him or her about my role as a learning representative. Last year I had the pleasure of meeting my own practice nurse who gave a quality of service which I knew was evidence-based; we chatted at times about my role as ward sister and my roles within the RCN. She was particularly interested in the resource room and recently telephoned me to ask about different management courses that were available. She also wanted to know if I knew anyone who was able to help her in setting up protocols for use within the GP's surgery. I was able to put her in touch with Jennie Gill at the RCN who I knew had previously been involved in setting up protocols in a GP's practice. So even though I may not have been directly able to give advice, I usually know someone who they can link with.
The rewards of the job
The role of learning representative is particularly rewarding, especially as recently I have had my dream come true with the opening of the resource room, all of which could only have been achievable with the help and support of my colleagues in making my role as a learning representative one which has been recognised and valued for the past few years.
It has enhanced my practice as a nurse and made me a more understanding manager, one who has a thirst for learning and one who encourages all her staff to chase their dreams and put this into reality. My staff recognised the importance of giving evidence-based care and working with the guidelines.