We need to recognise our value as nurses now more than ever

Our profession is going through challenging times, but such times can encourage us to assess what else is possible and how to achieve those ambitions

If you only ever focus on the smaller details, you may never see the bigger picture. Increasingly, as nurses, we need to see the wood for the trees, never more so than in the current climate.

Recognise the value of what we as primary care nurses do

We all feel the impact of policy decisions that affect our professional practice and our ability to deliver safe effective care that we can be proud of. In times of constant change, it is essential we recognise and reflect on the value of what we do and remind each other of what matters and what motivates us to do our best.

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If we are to show our value and contribution, it is worth taking a moment to self-reflect and to consider our ability to recognise the contribution we make, value our own knowledge, skills and expertise, and to develop greater confidence in articulating this to others.

‘It is worth taking a moment to self-reflect and to consider our ability to recognise the contribution we make’

This is especially useful when negotiating what professional support and development we require, and in seeking out potential opportunities. To find positive ways of addressing assumptions about what nurses know and what nurses do it is important to actively participate widely and multi professionally, be connected, informed, and engaged, virtually, as well as face to face.

Primary care nurses’ unique role working with diverse practice populations

We need to take time to reflect on the here and now. Whether we are practicing clinically, non-clinically, on placement, newly qualified, new to role, senior or advanced, it can be personally beneficial and professionally rewarding to reflect on our unique roles as autonomous and integral members of multi-professional teams, working with diverse practice populations.

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The nursing profession is going through especially challenging times. But such times can encourage us to assess what else is possible, what our ambitions are and how we will achieve them.

We need to invest in ourselves, find the time to explore beyond our usual traditional ways of thinking and doing. There is so much we can share and learn from each other.

Kathryn Yates is Director of Primary Care Nursing, Workforce, Transformation, and Innovation, London wide Local Medical Committees