This was my first time at RCN Congress. I joined the RCN 30 years ago and I now wish I had attended sooner. 

This year was the celebration of 110 years of the College. Congress had a programme of inspiring speakers. There was opportunity to attend education sessions, visit information stands, listen to debates and even more important, to get to use my forums voice and vote for myself and fellow nurses.

The Monday started with the opening ceremony, which included a performance by the Cre8tive station choir formed by NHS members. They performed uplifting energetic songs and encouraged the members to join in. This was followed by our first speaker Margaret Aspinall, which was emotional and inspiring, who kept fighting for answers after the tragedy of Hillsborough disaster. 

The day was filled with debates, networking and education sessions. The Diabetes Forum joined Meet the RCN Forums, which explained all the forums available, and what they do. There was also opportunity to join educational city walks after Congress had finished. The Diabetes Forum committee members were also on the Get Involved stand, promoting the forum. 

The Tuesday continued with debates, further education sessions and a guest speaker. This was the Mary Seacole Lecture by Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, a British author and campaigner against forced marriages and abuse. The lecture was heart-wrenching and highlighted to me to be more aware of this situation.

The second keynote speaker was Professor Kevin Fong OBE, a consultant anaesthetist, anaesthetic lead for Major Incident Planning, broadcaster and specialist interest in space medicine. This was an interesting presentation.

The Wednesday continued with debates, education sessions and networking. The keynote speakers were Mozhdeh Ghasemiyani a clinical psychologist and trauma specialist and Dr Pamela F Cipriano. This was explaining the Girl Child Education Fund (GCEF) an ICN programme that supports daughters of nurses who have died often from epidemics or in high -risk care environments. We heard the fund has helped young girls to go on to significant careers, move out of poverty, and fundamentally, to get an education.

I also attended the Eastern Region networking meeting; this was an opportunity to meet the eastern region members. This was another great way to meet people who are working in my region and made me feel very welcome.

The final day continued with debates, and education sessions.

Two of the Diabetes Forum committee members spoke in the debate:

• Helena Petriosor discussed Debate 20: 35 hour week.
• Nikki Lawson discussed Debate 21: Inappropriate delegation. 

If you have never attended congress, try to attend. It was full of passionate people wishing to make changes and improve nurses working environments, education, pay and cared about patient safety and improving care. It was interesting to hear the debates. 

I left Congress feeling inspired, motivated, proud to be Vice Chair of the Diabetes Forum and that I have contributed to making changes by voting. I do wish I had attended Congress sooner. 

"Congress is always a powerful reminder that the Royal College of Nursing is the voice of our profession - and that it is your voice that drives us."

General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger reflects on #RCN26.