An inspirational time
Published: 11 June 2012
Major Heather Scripps describes her first Congress experience
This was my first ever attendance at Congress and I really didn’t know what to expect. For those of you who haven’t been, it involves a series of resolutions which are debated and then are voted on. These items are then acted upon by the RCN, if that is what Congress has decided following the debate.
Several people have votes, which could be on behalf of their board, branch, committee or forum. In our case, we were representing the Defence Nursing Forum.
Items discussed and debated are generally poignant to the delivery of nursing care, and while I was there this included: the effects of working shift patterns; redesign of service delivery; pay and conditions; the requirement for employers to allow employees to attend mandatory training in work time; whether the media are friend or foe; and whether flu vaccines should be mandatory for nursing staff; to name but a few.
The debates and discussions were lively to say the least. There was a keynote speech regarding the care of older people as well as a session regarding the lack of learning disability nurses in the UK, with a moving film - if you have two minutes to spare, view the film
The real highlight for me was opportunity to attend a seminar with Lord Willis, who has been commissioned by the RCN to look at pre-registration nurse education and whether it is fit for purpose. We were able to discuss some of these issues and concerns with him. It was enlightening to hear other people’s opinions on nursing education and to be assured that the RCN and the commission are taking this issue very seriously. Read more about the commission here
If there are any points of interest you’d like to discuss, or to see other DNF members’ views on Congress, visit the RCN discussion zone
Ruth Truscott shares her Congress highlights
Congress is always a hive of activity and an opportunity to meet with friends and colleagues past and present. This year’s Congress was no exception. Regular and reserve defence nurses were represented within the exhibition itself and provided a superb platform for delegates to visit their stands to enquire about nursing careers or just to ask questions to satisfy inquisitive passers-by.
The many stands identified the plethora of disciplines in which nursing takes a vital role. The experience within the exhibition was by no means restricted to the exhibition hall; indeed it overflowed into the matters for discussion and resolutions up for debate and subsequent vote.
It was difficult to not be consumed with the level of discussion which developed, involving many who were so passionate about everything that they became celebrity given the number of times they addressed congress to air views. Prior to a break, the matter for discussion of Rhetoric or Reality was introduced.
It aimed to debate whether nursing care was non-judgemental or not. This struck a personal chord given the congress guide which acknowledged the sterling work of 204 Field Hospital (volunteers) Northern Ireland regarding care delivered on operations and at home during the troubles. Having been deployed to Afghanistan it is true care delivery does toy with personal thoughts raised from experiences gained. Yet I felt it important to reaffirm what has been highlighted in the guide. So for the first time ever I addressed congress:
“I am proud to serve Queen and country as a military nurse. I certainly hope my colleagues would agree that often the harsh realities we face would challenge anyone. But like anyl nurse judgements often develop through personal experiences. However, in the heightened rush of adrenaline and fear when we see our patients so severely injured our duty of care to the clinical need is so overwhelming. Our provision to all patients is categorically non-judgemental."
Thankfully an applause followed by a welcomed well done from Heather Scripps made it a worthwhile experience, especially for its part in highlighting the work of the Defence Nursing Forum to Congress.