Florence Nightingale Student Day
Katie Cope was one of three nursing students at Canterbury Christ Church University nominated to attend a student day at the Florence Nightingale Foundation in London, during International Nurses Week 2016. Here she shares her experiences of the day.
'May this lamp signify our sacred calling to serve the sick and injured', the words of The Reverend John Hall, Dean of Westminster. A strong sense of occasion was felt at Westminster Abbey on the evening as over 2000 people gathered to celebrate the work of probably the most famous nurse in history, Florence Nightingale. The Reverend asked why we celebrate a lady who died 106 years ago - I believe the answer lies in her courage, bravery, determination and her legacy, as nursing would be a very different profession should she have taken a different career path.
We began by lighting the Florence Nightingale lamp, which represented the sharing of knowledge amongst those student nurses and midwives in attendance. The day began by working in groups to devise questions to present to a panel of nursing professionals, including Chief Executives and Heads of Nursing from UK Universities.
The importance of nursing research featured prominently within discussion, with a positive focus on how it directly affects practice and the need for students to consider it as part of their future career. The panel spoke of the qualities necessary in being a successful leader, highlighting that a band 5 nurse can be leader in their own working environment. Important leadership qualities highlighted included self-belief and a belief in others, being inspirational, showing bravery and having a thirst for continued professional and professional development.
I recognise these qualities in student nurses within my cohort and I am hopeful of a positive future in the nursing field. One very strong message from the discussion came across - that as students we need to take ownership of our own learning. Being a student is tough, especially when you are trying to get your voice heard. It is hard to challenge practice, to stand up for what we believe in and to try and make a difference.
Florence Nightingale herself stated 'how very little can be done under the spirit of fear'. We need to develop confidence in approaching matrons, managers and even chief nursing officers, and fight for our beliefs. We need to work with other professions to ensure care is holistic, and share our professional knowledge with those around us.
During a tour of the Florence Nightingale Museum, we approached an old, worn lantern. We were startled to discover that this lantern was in fact thought to have been the one used by Florence Nightingale, and not the shiny, genie-like lamp as depicted in so many works of art, or that we had lit earlier in the day. Seeing the lantern brought home the difficult conditions of the Crimean War – I don't think anyone can truly imagine conditions unless they have worked on the front line of such horrific situations. She truly was remarkable and demonstrated incredible strength.
Whilst I personally don't believe we all enter nursing following a call from God as did Florence Nightingale, our paths have each led to the undertaking of this degree. We all have the potential to provide effective care, develop our knowledge and skills and really make a difference to the care of others. The evening was inspiring and thought-provoking, and I was honoured to be a part of it. Everyone involved in the event radiated pride in their association with Florence Nightingale, the success of the Foundation and the potential of future nurses.