Congress first timer

Jayne Parker is the new ANS Executive Committee member for the South East. She adopted the role just days before Congress and is experiencing both the event itself and the ability to vote for the first time. Here she gives her thoughts on the event and what it’s like to have the responsibility to get the student voice heard.

What made you want to get more involved with the RCN?

I saw an advert in the Nursing Standard for the vacant post on the RCN students committee. I had never done anything like this before but for some reason this caught my attention and I decided to find out more. These past few months have all been about new experiences for me. I’m a first year nursing student so this seemed a good opportunity to enhance my knowledge and find out about how trade unions work.

What were your first impressions of Congress?

It’s just so big. I didn’t know what to expect but didn’t imagine it would be as vast and impressive as it is. It seems really well organised and I think the debates have closely reflected the key issues in nursing right now.

What’s it like to have voting rights?

It makes me feel quite privileged and perhaps more engaged with the event than I would have been if I had come and not had the ability to vote. There have been some debates that I feel quite passionate about so to have my opinion counted and make a difference has been really positive. I do feel a responsibility to reflect the student voice and incorporate the thoughts of fellow students when voting one way or another.

What has been your highlight so far?

The speech by Angela Rippon really hit a chord with me. It was so easy to relate with what she was saying and it was very pertinent to what I’m learning on my adult nursing course.