Who could have thought on that fateful day when I signed and filled in the application form, I would go on to do so much within the Royal College of Nursing? Not long after getting my RCN membership number I was approached by the lead steward of the time, and we had a conversation over coffee. Those fateful words came out of his mouth: “Fancy becoming a steward?” and without hesitation my answer was “yes”.
Little did I know that by uttering that one word, I had started my real RCN journey.
The training I did to become a steward is completely different than it is today; it was done in three parts. The first part was how to become a steward, the second part was all about negotiation and third part was media studies. On completing and getting my accreditation as an RCN steward I discovered that I was the first health care support worker in the South West of England to become an RCN steward.
My journey of firsts took off. I was the first health care support worker to speak at RCN Congress – it was one of the scariest but exciting moments in my life; to stand in front of thousands of people and say my piece made me so proud. My colleagues and peers were there to support me at every step.
I became an Agenda for Change practitioner – the ONLY health care support worker to ever become an AfC practitioner and then from there I became a lead steward for the Royal College of Nursing in the trust - the first health care support worker to be a lead steward.
Throughout my journey RCN staff and elected members have been there to guide, support and comfort me and I have built up fantastic friendships from meeting RCN members from all settings across the UK.
Writing this has reminded me of the first time I went to RCN HQ. I was so excited, not only to be going to London for the first time but going to the RCN HQ for the first time. I was so impressed by and in awe of the building and the history represented in it. Throughout my RCN journey I have passionately spoken out for health care support workers and the vital role we play in today's health system. It’s been important to me to make sure that we are at the forefront of every conversation, that the RCN is about the whole nursing profession. It has not always been an easy journey, at times it’s been fraught, but the positives outweigh the negatives.
More recently I have been on the UK RCN Nursing Support Worker Committee which has been ensuring the voice of nursing support workers is loud and proud across the organisation. I was the Vice Chair of the committee but had to step down as, with the fantastic support from the RCN and NHS colleagues I was successfully appointed to a secondment as an RCN regional officer in the region. Another first!
The RCN offers so much opportunity; it's helped me to give voice to my staff group, which would perhaps have otherwise been silent and I’ve done so many things I wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to do.
23 November is a day when all health care support workers should be proud. This is our day to celebrate and to shine; to show that we are who we are, and we're proud of who we are. A proud nursing support worker working in a multi-diverse world of care.
The RCN offers all members a fantastic resource of information - the nursing support workers have their own designated page within the RCN website. We even have our own magazine, we have come a long way from a tiny column in a magazine primarily aimed at registered nurses.
Remember to wear your title as a nursing support worker or health care assistant or whatever it is with pride. I'm proud of the fantastic work that you do as I am proud of the work I do.
Little did I know that by uttering that one word, I had started my real RCN journey.
The training I did to become a steward is completely different than it is today; it was done in three parts. The first part was how to become a steward, the second part was all about negotiation and third part was media studies. On completing and getting my accreditation as an RCN steward I discovered that I was the first health care support worker in the South West of England to become an RCN steward.
My journey of firsts took off. I was the first health care support worker to speak at RCN Congress – it was one of the scariest but exciting moments in my life; to stand in front of thousands of people and say my piece made me so proud. My colleagues and peers were there to support me at every step.
I became an Agenda for Change practitioner – the ONLY health care support worker to ever become an AfC practitioner and then from there I became a lead steward for the Royal College of Nursing in the trust - the first health care support worker to be a lead steward.
Throughout my journey RCN staff and elected members have been there to guide, support and comfort me and I have built up fantastic friendships from meeting RCN members from all settings across the UK.
Writing this has reminded me of the first time I went to RCN HQ. I was so excited, not only to be going to London for the first time but going to the RCN HQ for the first time. I was so impressed by and in awe of the building and the history represented in it. Throughout my RCN journey I have passionately spoken out for health care support workers and the vital role we play in today's health system. It’s been important to me to make sure that we are at the forefront of every conversation, that the RCN is about the whole nursing profession. It has not always been an easy journey, at times it’s been fraught, but the positives outweigh the negatives.
More recently I have been on the UK RCN Nursing Support Worker Committee which has been ensuring the voice of nursing support workers is loud and proud across the organisation. I was the Vice Chair of the committee but had to step down as, with the fantastic support from the RCN and NHS colleagues I was successfully appointed to a secondment as an RCN regional officer in the region. Another first!
The RCN offers so much opportunity; it's helped me to give voice to my staff group, which would perhaps have otherwise been silent and I’ve done so many things I wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to do.
23 November is a day when all health care support workers should be proud. This is our day to celebrate and to shine; to show that we are who we are, and we're proud of who we are. A proud nursing support worker working in a multi-diverse world of care.
The RCN offers all members a fantastic resource of information - the nursing support workers have their own designated page within the RCN website. We even have our own magazine, we have come a long way from a tiny column in a magazine primarily aimed at registered nurses.
Remember to wear your title as a nursing support worker or health care assistant or whatever it is with pride. I'm proud of the fantastic work that you do as I am proud of the work I do.
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