Well it seems that international nurses and nursing students love our congress sting as much as we do. The presentation that I delivered yesterday on students influencing policy at a European level went extremely well. I explained to the audience the collaborative work that the European Nursing Students Association (ENSA) has done with the Federation of Nurse Educators (FINE), the EU and the European Federation of Nurses (EFN). I used these examples to highlight that student associations and networks have very little voice standing alone but working in conjunction with other organisations and mother organisations such as our own RCN, students can influence policy. The RCN Congress sting, in particular my favourite bit of the little people marching together, illustrated the difference made by standing united.

Peter also spoke yesterday on task shifting and the nursing continuum, focusing in particular on the support required for maintaining safety with the changing roles in nursing. The Healthcare Assistant resource was shared with delegates and received as useful tool for both employers and employees.

The plenary session yesterday morning was an inspirational and moving speech by the First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame who explained the relationship between educating girls, empowering women and the benefits that this has on developing whole societies. She spoke passionately about the triumph of women in the country in such a short period of time since the tragic genocide. And proudly informed the delegation that within their constitution it is stated the there must be at least 30% of women in parliament which is currently far surpassed at 56% and figure heads such as the chief of police are also female. Her message to nurses throughout the world was our role and duty in advocacy.

Today is the last day of the ICN conference and whilst the exhibition is winding down, the agenda will continue at a fast pace with several seminar sessions on new information technologies in health- tele-nursing and other communication technologies.

Its day 2 of the ICN conference today, which will see the second meeting of the ICN students network. I will be presenting on the students role in influencing policy by focusing not only actively engaging in policy decisions by writing position statements but by being united in our aim and speaking as one voice. To highlight this I will use the congress sting which I think will illustrate the progress that can be made when nurses stand united.

Yesterday’s seminar on bridging the gap between theory and practice was very interesting. There were presentations from Bahrain, Kenya and Portugal. In Bahrain and Kenya students do not receive an official registration until completing a probationary period of 6 months and Portugal is hoping to introduce this system. This was thought to assist in the transition from student to staff nurse as the new nurses are preceptored through this period. Other ways of working on bridging the gap between theory and practice was suggested by Bahrain who has a government committee which includes a representative from public and private sector service providers, educational institutions, regulators and CPD training providers. This committee develops all the plans and strategies affecting nursing students, develop the syllabus and mentorship and preceptorship training programs. Therefore, the nurses produced are fit for purpose to all sectors a well as reassurance that both the public and private sector invest in CPD and mentorship that is structured and delivered by the stakeholders in the team.

Also presenting yesterday was the socio-economic welfare network in which Peter Carter, Chief Executive and General Secretary presented the work of the Frontline first campaign. It was very well received by the audience who were impressed by the innovative ideas from our membership to save money and develop services and how this was used to lobby the government in conjunction with the evidence on cuts to frontline staff and services and waste in the system.

Michelle Watt from the RCN students committee displayed her poster on international placements yesterday which attracted lots on interest in particular students from eastern Asia.

The sun is shining outside but inside the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta this 16^th century building which was once a hospital, today looks to be another very busy day.

5/5/2011

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) conference start today but yesterday running in parallel with the Council of National Representatives (CNR) business meeting was the student assembly. The student assembly was hosted by the Maltese students and was an opportunity to discuss and share issues affecting nursing students globally.

The title of the student assembly was “Are nursing student’s scientists.” There were presentations on mentorship, assessment of practice, the image of nursing, diversity and the transition from student to staff nurse. There was student input from countries including USA, Denmark, Korea, Brazil, South Africa and not one to shy away from voicing my opinion, I gave the UK perspective. What was reassuring was that we all face the same problems and have the same issues. What was inspiring was the distance the status and educational standards of nursing education had come in many countries in terms of gaining recognition for its own knowledge base as well as vocational skills.

Yesterday evening was the opening ceremony which was a colourful spectacle of national flags and national dress from 66 different countries throughout the world. The delegation was honoured to welcome the Prime Minister of Malta who gave thanks to the nurses in Malta for their hard work and commitment to the health of the country that is nicknamed “The Nurse of the Mediterranean”.

There is a full and interesting agenda planned for today but the one of student interest that I will report back on tomorrow is on bridging the gap between theory and practice and the transition between student and staff nurse.

And this evening the RCN will welcome UK delegates to a reception to meet the President, the Chief Executive and General Secretary and Chair of Council as well as the council members present.

Looking forward to the day ahead, learning from colleagues and sharing ideas and solutions.