September is a transitional month for many of us. As we reflect on the summer just gone, we begin to look forward and prepare for the autumn and winter months ahead.
For the nursing profession, the colder seasons bring increased demands on already overstretched systems. But since the pandemic, we’re seeing these pressures starting to bite much earlier. A new COVID variant is hitting the headlines with cases on the rise across the UK. Catching COVID for the first time myself earlier this month was a stark personal reminder of the challenges many of us will face this winter to stay healthy and protect our patients.
I know the next few months will be challenging, but we are here for you. Over the next few months we will be signposting to resources and support to help look after yourself this winter, as well as clinical guidance for protecting your patients. Keep a look out on all our social media channels
While your first thought will always be for your patients, please remember that your health and wellbeing are of paramount importance too. You are in safety critical roles, and today we have launched our new definition of nursing to reflect the part you play in our health care systems. Read about it here.
Despite these challenges, there’s also much to look forward to and celebrate. For newly enrolled nursing students, this time of year is an exciting milestone, marking the beginnings of what we hope are long and fulfilling careers. At universities across the UK this month the RCN has been speaking with students at freshers’ fairs, making sure they know about the importance of joining our College and strengthening the voice of nursing.
In October I hope you will join us in marking Black History Month. Across the UK there will be events and activity celebrating the immense contribution of black people in the UK to the nursing profession. This year’s celebrations are particularly pertinent on the 75th anniversary year of the arrival of the Windrush generation, and the central role they played in shaping nursing in this country.
And on 12 and 13 October we’ll be hosting our Autumn Joint Reps Conference in Liverpool. RCN Reps are at the forefront of driving change both in workplaces and for our profession. There’s a jampacked agenda and as always it’ll be an excellent chance to get together, share ideas, and learn from collective experiences.
Finally, on 23 November we'll be shining a spotlight on the crucial work being done by nursing support workers across the UK. Nursing Support Workers’ Day is always such a special day and one that I hope you’ll be able to get involved with. Join us at HQ in London for the Nursing Support Workers Day conference and hear from inspiring speakers, take part in creative sessions, network and meet fellow peers and colleagues from across the UK. Information on how to get involved elsewhere will be shared in the coming weeks.
With all this to look forward to, I hope you be part of our activity over the next couple of months.
As ever, if you have any enquiries or comments regarding what you have read or anything related to RCN or nursing, do feel free to contact me directly by emailing president@rcn.org.uk.
For the nursing profession, the colder seasons bring increased demands on already overstretched systems. But since the pandemic, we’re seeing these pressures starting to bite much earlier. A new COVID variant is hitting the headlines with cases on the rise across the UK. Catching COVID for the first time myself earlier this month was a stark personal reminder of the challenges many of us will face this winter to stay healthy and protect our patients.
I know the next few months will be challenging, but we are here for you. Over the next few months we will be signposting to resources and support to help look after yourself this winter, as well as clinical guidance for protecting your patients. Keep a look out on all our social media channels
While your first thought will always be for your patients, please remember that your health and wellbeing are of paramount importance too. You are in safety critical roles, and today we have launched our new definition of nursing to reflect the part you play in our health care systems. Read about it here.
Despite these challenges, there’s also much to look forward to and celebrate. For newly enrolled nursing students, this time of year is an exciting milestone, marking the beginnings of what we hope are long and fulfilling careers. At universities across the UK this month the RCN has been speaking with students at freshers’ fairs, making sure they know about the importance of joining our College and strengthening the voice of nursing.
In October I hope you will join us in marking Black History Month. Across the UK there will be events and activity celebrating the immense contribution of black people in the UK to the nursing profession. This year’s celebrations are particularly pertinent on the 75th anniversary year of the arrival of the Windrush generation, and the central role they played in shaping nursing in this country.
And on 12 and 13 October we’ll be hosting our Autumn Joint Reps Conference in Liverpool. RCN Reps are at the forefront of driving change both in workplaces and for our profession. There’s a jampacked agenda and as always it’ll be an excellent chance to get together, share ideas, and learn from collective experiences.
Finally, on 23 November we'll be shining a spotlight on the crucial work being done by nursing support workers across the UK. Nursing Support Workers’ Day is always such a special day and one that I hope you’ll be able to get involved with. Join us at HQ in London for the Nursing Support Workers Day conference and hear from inspiring speakers, take part in creative sessions, network and meet fellow peers and colleagues from across the UK. Information on how to get involved elsewhere will be shared in the coming weeks.
With all this to look forward to, I hope you be part of our activity over the next couple of months.
As ever, if you have any enquiries or comments regarding what you have read or anything related to RCN or nursing, do feel free to contact me directly by emailing president@rcn.org.uk.
