Nursing staff should take learning ‘across borders’, says RCN president

Nurses working around the world hold the solutions to many of the biggest challenges facing humanity, according to RCN president Cecilia Anim.

Opening the two-day RCN International Centenary Conference in London today, Ms Anim praised the global workforce.

She said: ‘The care given by nurses today in London is underpinned by the same principles and core values as a nurse practising in Africa, Asia or North America.

‘Nursing staff working in every community, in every country across the continent, hold the solutions to many of the major challenges.’ Ms Anim listed these as including ageing populations, climate change, and growing inequalities and conflict threatening the health of millions of people.

She also called for shared learning across the global nursing workforce.

Worldwide education

‘I know from my own experience having trained as a nurse in Ghana, before moving to the UK more than 40 years ago, how we as nursing staff can take our learning across borders,’ said Ms Anim, who was re-elected as RCN president for a second term last week.

‘We must use our shared experiences to educate each other to deliver care – this empowers patients by putting them at the heart of every decision.’

Innovative work

Ms Anim said the conference was a unique opportunity to hear about the innovative work of nursing staff in England, Peru, Sierra Leone and beyond to improve outcomes for patients.

She added: ‘Small change can lead to change in the lives of patients. Remember that our expertise, professionalism and experience make us a powerful force for change.’

Follow the conference on Twitter using the hashtag #RCNICC16.

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