Former Nursing students to attend RCN Congress in Belfast

Cara Large and Shelley Lloyd have recently completed the BNurs (Hons) Adult Nursing degree at the University of Wolverhampton, City Campus, and during their course have attended two of the annual RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Congress events; 2016 in Glasgow and 2017 in Liverpool.

They have found the events invaluable and have learned so much, from attending the debates and listening to delegates' points of view and experiences of some very emotive subjects, to the free to attend learning events tailored specifically for student nurses providing education in specially selected topics. The exhibition is an amazing opportunity to speak to companies and educators regarding current and upcoming technology and research, employers and opportunities you may never have realised existed. Plus all the free pens!

Beyond all of this, are the excellent opportunities for professional networking. RCN Congress gives an opportunity to meet and talk to some of the leading figures in nursing right now, as well as figure heads and nurses from other organisations. Cara and Shelley were lucky enough to see Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP and Tim Farron MP speaking to Congress ahead of the general election in 2017, which was an amazing experience. Congress also provides a social opportunity to meet peers from other universities around the country at the student social event, to which everyone is invited to attend.

During their attendances, Cara and Shelley met members of the RCN Black Country Branch who represent the Univeristy of Wolverhampton Nursing students and also the main placement areas attributed to the site. Cara and Shelley applied this year to attend Congress as voting members and were selected. This will allow them to have a say on how the RCN moves forward in the coming year in terms of union action, research and many other topics, allowing them to shpe the future of nursing.

Cara and Shelley would highly encourage any student to attend Congress if you have the means. It's free to attend and there is a dicount for Flybe available once youve booked your place. There can be some funding available from the RCN Black Country branch if you contact them. Theory and/or placement hours for the trip can be granted if you gain permission from your subject head.

Please see the link below for a video made by the RCN students committee aimed at encuraging Nursing students to attend congress and what goes on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DepF0GFai8&sns=em