Five minutes with...Gary Stockwell

Published: 01 February 2012

Gary Stockwell is the recently elected representative for London on the RCN Students Committee. He reveals what led him to pursue a career in nursing and what he hopes to achieve in post.

What did you do before becoming a nursing student?

I was in the army for a number of years and worked alongside nurses in Afghanistan providing medical care to those unfortunate enough to need it. I enjoyed it while it lasted and still serve in the Territorial Army today. It means I can fulfil military duties in my spare time and combine it with my nurse training. Getting paid for the time served also helps boost my student bursary.

What made you consider a career in nursing?

I had a bad skydiving accident while I was still in the army back in 2009. I fractured my pelvis and spent five months in hospital. The doctors said I was lucky to survive. The experience of being immobile and at the mercy of others made me evaluate what I wanted to do with my life and a career in caring seemed the obvious choice. The nurses were amazing and I realised then how much a good nurse can help the healing process of a patient.

Has being a patient influenced your nursing practice?

Totally. It has made me realise how quickly you can lose your dignity in hospital. When everything is out of your control, you’re so dependent on the thoughtfulness of others. I am now ever mindful of putting things within patients’ reach and ensuring they’re able to make decisions about their own care.

Why did you decide to stand for election to the RCN Students Committee?

Nursing students are facing challenging times right now. Cuts mean jobs are becoming scarce and there is a lot of uncertainty about what impact changes to the NHS will have on us. I want to have an influence and help shape decisions by getting the student voice heard. I also want to be informed and share my knowledge with others about what is happening and what the RCN is doing about it.

What do you want to achieve in the role?

I want to get students more engaged with the RCN and to raise awareness of what the organisation does. There are so many benefits for students of being an RCN member but lots of people don’t take advantage of them. I plan to take an active approach to spreading the word and hope to run student education days at universities across London.

Gary is a first-year adult nursing student at Kingston University.