Voicing your passion

I’ve always had a passion for public health, having parents from two very different backgrounds, one grew up in a council estate, the other had a more affluent upbringing, and overtime I could visibly see the difference between health outcomes in each of my parents relatives. 

When I qualified as a nurse I began to consider what societal factors impact my patients and began to ask myself: How is this repeat attender still homeless, is there no support available? What could’ve prevented this individual coming into hospital with a heart attack? Why are vaccine rates so low amongst certain communities? I sought to learn more about how prevention, promotion and protection is integral to our health outcomes and to what extent our education, income, demographics play in this role.

Then the role of on the Public Heath steering committee arrived and I had to apply. But when I was accepted, the doubt crept in...

‘Am I qualified?’
‘Am I even the right person?’
‘What if I don’t know as much as others?’

And these thoughts continued until my first meeting with the forum and it was a big one, the strategy day.

I dressed in my smartest of smart casual, went through the grand entrance of RCN HQ and plopped myself onto a chair and whilst I waited for the other members, I wondered whether I was ready.

As conversation began to unfold around me I reflected on why I was here. I was selected, I had experience, and whilst I didn’t feel like I knew everything I still had knowledge to share, and most importantly I had my passion.

I found myself able to speak up. I contributed to the debates to dilution of the nurse title, dissected how we can support advanced nurses against on-going interprofessional hostility online, consulted over vaccination hesitancy, were informed about the latest RCN developments and finally we moved onto congress, a place where we gather and shape the future. I hope to see you there and will offer a listening ear, so you can be heard and help shape the forum.

I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this steering committee and help shape the future of nurses involved or interested in public health. I’m aware of the privileged position that I’m in, and want to do each individual who’s apart of this forum proud so that we can make a more equitable and healthier society.

I reflect that oftentimes, we’re scared to go for opportunities or speak up due to fear of looking stupid, not knowing enough, and expressing ourselves lest we get shot down.

But what is common sense to us, might be novel to some. Just because we’ve decided that our opinions are obvious doesn’t mean that they haven’t been developed through years of experience and practice. And at the end of it all, if you still have doubts, please know that a passionate argument from an individual is just as valid as an academic one. 

Everyone at all levels feels like an imposter, ground yourself in your intention, because your experience and your passion is something that no one else has.