Reflections from Congress 2010
Alex Thurston, 3rd year Mental Health Student Nurse at Northampton University reflects:
I was most fortunate to be selected as a competition winner of a funded place to attend this year's RCN Congress in Bournemouth and this is where my story begins.
As a student nurse you find yourself in many different situations and environments where you either adapt or struggle and often think of yourself as someone outside of the team, never quite fitting into any particular role. It can be frustrating, but with a different viewpoint it can be an extreme challenge that we all relish.
Having spent time at Congress, I had no pre-conceived ideas and no assumptions about what to expect. I was met with some extremely passionate and dedicated professionals within the health care system, who have such a strong identity and a will to make changes and share those thoughts with other like-minded people.
As a collective we can shape change and re-enforce that nursing really does matter and we have a voice that has credibility and strength.
I left RCN Congress with a strong feeling of belonging and having spent time with people that feel the same as me, patients are what we are there for. I thank everyone that made my time at Congress so special and for making such an impact on my future development.
Angela Wells, 3rd year Adult Student Nurse at Northumbria University reflects:
I was lucky this year to win one of the five funded student places to attend Congress 2010. The opportunity I was presented with would enable me to listen and take part in live debates about real issues affecting nursing, attend educational fringe events, visit exhibitions but also importantly, would allow me to network with other professionals and nursing students that share my passion for nursing.
After a turbulent week of volcanic ash clouds and 'will I or won’t I' get there, my plane touched down on the Sunday afternoon at Southampton airport. A further one and a half excited hours later and I arrived at the Bournemouth International Centre to meet the RCN's Association of Nursing Student Executive Committee and other competition winners.
After quick introductions we were swept straight up in Congress fever. We started the Sunday evening with the RCN President’s address and RCN awards ceremony then it was straight on to the regional welcome reception. The evening was spent with introductions, networking and attendance of the Nursing Standard disco, which was pure fun.
Congress 2010, ‘Caring together’ kicked off in style with the sultry voice of Florence and the Machine with the theme tune of Congress; ‘You’ve got the love’. The song reflects the spirit of the nursing profession and the atmosphere within the auditorium.
Debates took place daily on important topics such as provisions of end of life care, heroin on the NHS as an alternative to current drug misuse treatments, fair care for trans gender patients, mandatory first aid training for school children and the growing demand of single room care. The various perspectives and opinions were put across to congress and debated upon so we could all learn and develop professionally.
As Congress fell the week before the general election it was great to gain perspective from the prime ministerial candidates and their representatives on current nursing issues. Guest speakers over the course of congress were inspirational and I even got to shake hands with the new Deputy Prime Minister.
Question and answer sessions were taken and the nursing profession showed unity and that we are a professional voice to be heard clear and strong. It made me proud to be a student nurse about to qualify and embark on a nursing career.
Tuesday was Students’ Day with the theme ‘Reach your destination’. It was an inspirational day with hundreds of students out in force, all wearing their pink t-shirts.
Key speakers included the charismatic Billy Dixon and his speech on improving personal effectiveness and Bethann Siviter, author of ‘The student nurse handbook’, with her talk on the transition from student to staff nurse. It was enjoyable and interesting being able to speak to other students in the same situation while reflecting on experiences and looking ahead to qualifying and putting on the blues. Students' Day finished on a high with a BBQ dinner and band ‘MiXit’ setting the tone for continued fun throughout the evening.
Other highlights of the week included keynote speaker Angela Ripon speaking from the heart on the topic of dementia, fringe events on interesting topics which helped with essays, research and my continued professional development and the exhibition halls full of stalls for networking, information and freebies (a student nurse can never have too many pens!) So much choice of what events to attend with not enough hours in the day.
Overall I can’t recommend attendance at Congress enough. It is a must for all nurses and professionals whatever their experience.
As a student nurse much can be gained from attendance for continued professional development, collaborative practice and professional networking. The knowledge, wisdom and resources that can be tapped into are an inspiration and will leave you wanting more. Reflection from attendance can help shape your future practice and inspire ways for you to challenge yourself.
Attendance at congress has played a role in my continued learning and I can’t thank the RCN enough for funding my place this year. Congress has helped me to gain further confidence and self awareness which can only enhance my interaction with other professionals and in turn more importantly with the people we always have in mind the service user or patient. Roll on congress 2011 in Liverpool here I come...
Alexis Mackenzie-Slight, 2nd year Adult Student Nurse at the University of Stafforshire reflects:
As I travelled from Shrewsbury to Bournemouth by train, already it felt like a special event as I noticed many of my fellow passengers sporting the RCN logo and saw reunions between members who hadn’t met since last Congress.
On arrival at the conference centre, there was a sense of occasion as delegates and members began to arrive. I was met by the student team and made to feel welcome and a part of things as I was briefed about the coming week.
Almost immediately at the opening ceremony of congress I was made aware of how the RCN is supportive of nursing and midwifery students, as Maura Buchanan the outgoing president told congress that students must continue to be supported in their education and practice to ensure the best future for nursing.
As the ceremony moved on, awards and fellowships were bestowed on RCN members who had made outstanding contributions to nursing through their work in the nursing field. It felt a great privilege to share in the special day of these brilliant people, it certainly is inspiring to hear of the work people do to improve patient care through their passion, wisdom and dedication. The rest of the week was a whirlwind of activity!
There was a lot to see at the exhibition, and many learning opportunities to experience at the fringe events. The debates were interesting to hear and it felt good to be involved in the voting process and see how membership directly influences the work of the RCN.
And how can I not mention the excitement and buzz of the general election and visits from then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and Andrew Lansley. This highlighted the influence that the RCN have as a professional organisation and a trade union.
To wrap things up, I met a great deal of like-minded people and enjoyed time socialising with them and sharing experiences of being a student. Looking forward to next year and maybe having reunions of my own on the train journey!
We would love to hear your thoughts on Congress, if you have any comments particularly in relation to Students' Day please email us at ans@rcn.org.uk.