It is not often that you find yourself in a large room filled with brilliant colleagues from different branches of nursing. RCN Congress is one of those rare spaces. Each time I step into the Congress hall, I visualise myself entering a zone of opportunity. 

Before anything else, I remind myself that I have sacrificed time to be there and that I have come to draw nourishment for my growth and build meaningful relationships. 

Building relationships can easily be missed under the comfort of staying within a familiar group. This year, I made a deliberate decision to sit with a different person each day, preferably someone I did not already know. The experience increased my opportunities to connect, learn about others' expertise and develop genuine relationships. 

Of course, meeting new people comes with uncertainty. Some are naturally chatty and help break the ice, while others are more reserved and require you to take the first step. For me, it was an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and discover new ones. 

Connecting with people in person was another priority. I visited the stand of a forum I had long wanted to engage with but had struggled to access. Rather than directing me to an email address I had already contacted, they took the time to understand my interest and noted my details. Three weeks after Congress, I received the follow-up email. That is the power of Congress. 

Being in that space also gave me the opportunity to contribute to issues I am passionate about. When I speak, I remind myself that I am not only representing my own views but also giving voice to others I represent. Contributing to debates helps broaden understanding and encourages action. When I later saw my contribution on racism quoted across several news outlets, my first thought was “What’s new about what I said?” I then realised that media coverage helps important conversations reach a wider audience.

Things do not always go as planned. There are times when you want to contribute but do not make it through the queue system. While disappointing, I have learned to value the contributions of others and trust colleagues to raise concerns we share. 

The keynote speakers provided powerful reflections. Margaret Aspinall’s account of the Hillsborough disaster demonstrated remarkable resilience, courage and determination in her pursuit of justice. If, like me, you were hearing about it Hillsborough disaster for the first time, I encourage you to read further - it truly brings her bravery into perspective. Her message - The truth costs nothing, but lies cost a lot - was one of the most memorable moments of Congress. 

Dame Jasvinder Sanghera delivered another impactful keynote speech, highlighting that forced marriage and honour-based abuse continue to affect lives today. Through her work with Karma Nirvana, she supports those at risk while raising awareness of an issue that can easily go unnoticed. Her message reminded us that we all have a role to play. 

Dr Kevin Fong, a leader in space medicine, also left a lasting impression. Reflecting on emergency preparedness during COVID-19, he emphasised that leadership involves knowing when to lead and when to follow. Leadership is not always about being at the forefront - sometimes it is about recognising when someone else’s expertise should take the lead. That was a genuine “aha” moment for me. 

Beyond Congress itself, Liverpool proved to be a beautiful city. The River Mersey provided a stunning backdrop, and learning about the city’s history from a knowledgeable tour guide enriched the experience even further. If you are considering attending Congress 2027, hold on to that thought and make it a reality.