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Nursing students impress at CNO Summit

Two nursing students were honoured to speak alongside their lecturer at the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s (CNO) Summit 2018.

The programme included international speakers and leaders from across the health and care system, not only in England but globally, and took place across two days on 7 and 8 March. This year the summit was chaired by Carrie Grant, patient lead at the College of Medicine, vocal coach and television presenter. The annual event provides an opportunity for the senior nursing, midwifery and the care leadership community to explore how to deal with current challenges and use their collective leadership and ambition to shape the future of the health and care system.

Final-year adult nursing students Vicky Hawkes and Charlotte Govier were the only two students to speak at the summit and delivered a talk alongside Senior Lecturer Graham Jones on the impact of nursing globally.

Graham said: 'Vicky and Charlotte were the only two students at this global conference. They were outstanding and spoke articulately with passion and conviction – we are very proud of them.'

Graham is director of the Transform Healthcare Cambodia charity and has previously travelled to Cambodia with Vicky and Charlotte to support staff at the Battambang Referral Hospital.

The team spoke about their work in Cambodia and highlighted issues around creating a workforce fit for the health and care system of the future, and the importance of individual and collective leadership in changing times.

Vicky said: 'Being involved in the clinical placement to Battambang was the catalyst for being invited to talk at the CNO Summit. I spoke about my experiences of the Cambodian healthcare system and made comparisons with the care we deliver in the NHS.

'It was an amazing experience to meet so many influential figures in global nursing and has focused my future aspirations to become involved in projects on the global stage.'

Charlotte added: 'Being asked to speak at the CNO was a monumental privilege. This is my final year at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

'My three years of training, my experience in Cambodia and participating in this event means I’m confident in applying my profession in the global arena.'