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.