I say 6 months as the journey of induction started in December with our first trip up to RCN HQ which was followed by a tour of the building which itself has a rich and interesting history. 

While I knew the role would be busy, nothing prepared me for the volume of papers and information that you have to read and assimilate before each Council meeting (which is normally 2 days, held at RCN HQ). I think for the last Council meeting I spent a good 8-9 hours reading to make sure that I was fully briefed in the matters we were discussing. 

As the world’s biggest nursing union – yes you heard correctly – I take the role seriously and want to make sure that the time and effort that are put in to writing the papers are given the respect that they deserve. 

In the last 5 months, Council has debated and amended the governance around the lengths and terms of office for elected members, heard about the amazing work around the getting fair pay for nursing, the work behind the getting the title of ‘nurse’ protected, our EDI strategy, how we help shape and advise government around legislation, making sure the RCN group is in a financially secure space and hearing directly from members around topics that are close to them. 

I hope to meet as many of you as I can at Congress, so please do come over to say hi. I very much look forward to hearing the debates, which of course help shape the work for the RCN for the next 12 months.

If you do have any other questions or queries please do contact me via: Council.SouthWest@rcn.org.uk.

Take care – Ashleigh