Joining a forum steering committee
In support of the article Still time to apply for forum vacancies, on page two of the 29 June 2011 issue of RCN Bulletin.
David Currie from the RCN Learning Disability Nursing Forum and Claire Lamza from the RCN Forensic Nursing Forum on why they joined their forum's steering committee
Why did you decide to join the forum steering committee and what was the appointments process like?
David Currie (DC): I decided to join the forum to enhance and broaden my knowledge in the learning disability field at a national level. I see the forum as a great opportunity to do so and as a great chance to get involved in some interesting work streams, meet others etc.
Claire Lamza (CL): I decided to join the Forensic Nursing Forum to make sure there was good representation from my area and to lobby for better care for the group of patients that I have always been very committed to – namely women who end up in forensic care. The appointment process was a bit daunting; I did a telephone interview so it was more difficult to know whether you were answering the question and not just rambling on. But, the interviewers were supportive and managed to come over in an informal, friendly manner which really helped.
How much time does it take up?
DC: I tend to do the forum work in my own time, so it can take up as much or as little as you want. Probably it’s about commitment, you do what you feel you can or are able to.
CL: The time question is a tricky one, sometimes it feels like there's something to do every week and then there are weeks when I'm not actively doing anything forum related. Around Congress is usually busy and we try to have an event every year and a meeting as a forum every year, so at a minimum, I'd say about a half day a month (on average).
How has your work helped to develop the specialty?
DC: I feel as I have worked in many fields in the learning disability world from health, social work, commissioning, local government and both voluntary and private sector I have a broad knowledge of differences in the sector and value bases, ethos etc.
CL: The forum keeps me up to date on forensic issues across a really wide range of services. It keeps me up to date with what members need information and networks on and it keeps me aware that although a specialty, forensic issues very quickly relate to a range of other forums and their work.
How has your career benefitted from your membership on an RCN forum steering committee?
DC: My career has definitely been helped, I am know a member of the Scottish steering committee for the modernising learning disability nursing framework and have been invited on to the Scottish Senior Nurses Group.
CL: My career has benefitted in some obvious ways, but also in some less overt ones. The obvious ones like the opportunity to have breadth of knowledge and to create a wide range contacts are excellent. An example of a less obvious, but equally important benefit for me, is when a staff nurse from the forensic service that I manage comes along with a copy of RCN Bulletin and says that they've seen you in it; you can then remind them that the main thing for you is the profession of nursing and that's proof of it. These are times when I appreciate the benefit of the forum.
Visit the forum appointments pages.
We welcome your feedback on RCN Bulletin. Please email bulletin@rcn.org.uk