It has today (8 July) been announced that BJ Waltho will continue in her role as Chair of RCN Congress until 2024.
BJ has been a member of the Agenda Committee, which helps organise our flagship nursing event, since 2011 and was elected Vice Chair of Congress in 2014 and Chair of Congress in 2018. As there was no in-person Congress in 2020 or 2021, BJ’s term was rolled over and was due to end this year.
As the sole candidate to put herself forward when nominations opened at this year’s RCN Congress, she has been elected unopposed. As well as being a long-term RCN activist, BJ has more than 35 years’ experience as a qualified nurse and recently retired as Associate Director of Operations for the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
BJ said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to hold this position and I’m proud to be re-elected to serve a second term.
“I’m committed to helping Congress grow and evolve to ensure it continues to meet the needs of RCN members and reflects current issues in nursing.
"I’m a great advocate of Congress. It gives us the opportunity to promote nursing and make our voices heard. I always leave Congress feeling inspired and reinvigorated and will endeavour to ensure all attendees get the best out of what Congress has to offer."
Three candidates – Michael Brown, Peter Davis and Jean Rogers − have put themselves forward for election to the role of Vice Chair of RCN Congress.
Voting will open on Monday 25 July and close on Monday 22 August 2022. For more information, including candidate profiles, see current RCN elections and appointments.
The next RCN Congress will be held in Brighton between 14-18 May 2023.
