New student member of RCN Council Shaun Williams shares the journey that brought him to this role and the student causes he蜜桃直播檚 keen to champion
Taking on such an influential role within the UK蜜桃直播檚 largest nursing union and professional body wasn蜜桃直播檛 something Shaun ever imagined he蜜桃直播檇 be doing. In fact, he蜜桃直播檇 never planned on a career in nursing. It was a vocation that found him unexpectedly, as he navigated an education system unsuited to his needs.
Shaun describes himself as "unashamedly neurodiverse", but he didn蜜桃直播檛 receive a diagnosis or support for this until he began his nursing training. He experienced challenges throughout school, eventually leaving without completing his education. He worked in a range of different jobs before taking on a role in a care home, which he enjoyed. His older brother encouraged him to do an access to health care course. Taking the leap after that to study nursing took a further nudge from family, fate 蜜桃直播� and Twitter.
蜜桃直播淚t was serendipitous really. There I was with my first ever qualification aged 27. And although I蜜桃直播檇 done really well on that course, because of the challenges I蜜桃直播檇 experienced before I still didn蜜桃直播檛 really have the confidence to pursue anything,蜜桃直播� Shaun explains. 蜜桃直播淏ut the following year, my brother once again encouraged me. He posted something about me on Twitter and the University of Keele got in touch saying I should consider nursing.蜜桃直播�
Shaun's path became even clearer when, on the university蜜桃直播檚 course open day, he heard a student ambassador talking about learning disability nursing.
蜜桃直播淲hat he said really resonated with me and my values. It蜜桃直播檚 very difficult to put words to what learning disability nurses do but what really appealed to me was that it蜜桃直播檚 more person-centred than task-centred. It was the nuances, the attention to detail and the humanity of it that got me interested. It蜜桃直播檚 a very human-centred way of practising and thinking about things.蜜桃直播�
Overcoming challenges
Once at university, Shaun was diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. This helped him make sense of the difficulties he蜜桃直播檇 always experienced with learning, but also meant rethinking his approach to the course.
蜜桃直播淚 was really enjoying my studies but it蜜桃直播檚 a time and energy-intensive course. On top of that I was having to adjust to this new diagnosis, navigate my additional needs and learn support strategies and study skills that other people perhaps take for granted,蜜桃直播� Shaun says.
I wanted to stand up and improve things for myself and others
These challenges have led him to speak up for students who may be experiencing similar struggles and ultimately led him to stand for election to become student member of RCN Council.
蜜桃直播淢y challenges were one of the reasons I became so proactive in student activism. It蜜桃直播檚 not just me, there are lots of student nurses who have additional pressures and difficulties, whether this be learning disabilities, mental health problems, or childcare and other commitments. It蜜桃直播檚 very difficult navigating these alongside nursing; I wanted to stand up and improve things for myself and others.蜜桃直播�
From a strong presence on social media and speaking at conferences, to sitting on an inclusion and diversity working group at university and taking part in the Council of Deans Student Leadership Programme, Shaun has been busy making sure the voice of students, and especially those with additional needs, is heard loud and clear.
I蜜桃直播檇 like to see student representation increased in all areas
Plans for the future
He蜜桃直播檒l be bringing that fire to his new role, which he got stuck into even before his term officially began on 1 January 2021, joining RCN Student Committee colleagues knocking on the doors of government health organisations to demand answers around the possible deployment of student nurses during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now though, he蜜桃直播檚 looking to the future and is clear on his priorities, committed to bringing the student perspective to nursing education reforms and encouraging more of the RCN student membership to take an active role.
蜜桃直播淣ursing education needs to work for both educators and students, and students and the RCN simply have to be involved in those discussions,蜜桃直播� Shaun states, adding, 蜜桃直播淚蜜桃直播檇 really like to see student representation increased in all areas.蜜桃直播�
He蜜桃直播檚 also keen to drive anti-bullying campaigns in universities and health care settings: 蜜桃直播淲orking towards a kinder and more tolerant culture in education and health care is something I蜜桃直播檓 really passionate about.蜜桃直播�
Changing perceptions
Hearing Shaun talk with such conviction and determination, it蜜桃直播檚 hard to believe that he only put himself in the running for the role at 蜜桃直播渢he eleventh hour蜜桃直播�.
蜜桃直播淚 only decided to go for it the day before the deadline. I still struggle at times to find that inner confidence and I knew I had to really consider whether, with my additional needs, I could take on this sizeable responsibility.蜜桃直播�
But this very consideration was what ultimately convinced Shaun it was the right course of action: 蜜桃直播淚蜜桃直播檓 not necessarily someone who plans ahead, but when I feel a motivation to do something, I can蜜桃直播檛 ignore it. So I thought, 蜜桃直播楥an I let this opportunity go by and not advocate for students in the way I believe they should be?蜜桃直播櫭厶抑辈
This is an amazing opportunity to raise the voice of all student nurses
Now, one month into the role and after attending his first RCN Council meeting, Shaun is feeling more motivated than ever.
蜜桃直播淚t蜜桃直播檚 a bit daunting; as a full member of Council with all the duties and responsibilities that brings, there蜜桃直播檚 a lot to know and it蜜桃直播檚 going to be a steep learning curve. But it蜜桃直播檚 also really exciting and such a vote of confidence from RCN student members. This is an amazing opportunity to raise the voice of all student nurses and that蜜桃直播檚 what will keep driving me forwards.蜜桃直播�
RCN Council: helping to shape the future
RCN Council is the governing body of the RCN and provides leadership and direction for the organisation.
As your student member of Council, Shaun’s role is to represent the voice of nursing students UK-wide and to ensure fellow council members understand and champion issues affecting you so that they are at the forefront of the College’s agenda.
Find out more on the RCN Council webpages.
Discover how you could take on a more active role in the RCN.
