Welsh Nurse Highly Commended

Published: 22 April 2013

Welsh nurse is Highly Commended for RCN Learning Representative of the Year

The RCN in Wales is today congratulating RCN in Wales member Paul Richards, after he was highly commended for the RCN Learning Representative of the Year 2013.

Paul works as a Community Psychiatric Nurse at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, in Caerphilly, part of Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board, and has been a learning rep for over three years.

RCN learning representatives help members keep up to date with the latest developments in nursing and in the various fields of practice, meet NMC post-registration education and practice (PREP) requirements, and help plan career development. RCN learning representatives are professionally trained and legally accredited as representatives, entitling them to paid time off for training, education and representative duties.
Paul also works extensively across Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board to recruit nurses and Health Care Support Workers into RCN membership and into RCN activists roles.

Commenting on his win, Paul said:  “I was totally shocked and surprised to learn that I was the runner up for the RCN Learning Rep of the Year. I love being a learning rep, it is great to help others learn and develop their skills.”

Val Bailey, Professional Practice Co-Ordinator, RCN Wales and Welsh Union Learning Fund (WULF) Project Manager said: “The RCN in Wales is delighted that Paul Richards is highly commended for the RCN UK Learning Representative of the Year Award.  Paul is an inspirational learning representative who is tireless in his pursuit of ensuring that staff of Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board are able to access learning and development opportunities to promote both their personal and professional development.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

What do learning representatives do?
1. assess continuing professional development (CPD) needs
2. act as a source of information about learning activity/resources
3. support nurses with CPD activity
4. help nurses with portfolio development
5. organise events such as seminars, study days and workshops, either with employers or local branches
6. discuss career development
7. refer members for expert professional support