Who we are and what we do

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Rob Young is an award-winning writer and artist, who helps NHS leaders to communicate in a way that is warm, welcoming and accessible to all. On the 12th May, 10am – 12pm, Rob will be giving a two-hour workshop on the theme of identity.

These are remarkable times. Our proud battleship, the NHS, has adapted to the pandemic with a pace that is breathtaking, responding to change with the speed and agility of a Jeep. It is a stressful time to begin a nursing career but also an exhilarating one. On the raw front line, nurses have responded to a myriad of challenges with grit, gumption and vigour. The resilience they have shown is astonishing and while millions of people have applauded their achievements, there is a tendency to over-simplify and sentimentalise the complex role of “nurse”.

People cannot imagine what a multi-faceted, multi-layered workload a nurse’s role entails, or the emotional stress embedded within it. It is our responsibility to rectify that perception gap. So, how do we do that? How do we re-brand our role for the 21st century? We can start by taking a fresh look at the myths, misconceptions and Victorian stereotypes that continue to haunt our profession. We can learn how to tell a new story, with a perky, positive and pro-active bias. We can redefine our identity. We can tell the world, “who we are and what we do” with elegance and precision.

Once we have shared our stories, Rob will work with staff and students to transform these voices into a series of artworks. The finished pieces will be used to infuse new life into the Marriss House, as a proud statement of our communal identity.

"Save one life and you're a hero. Save a hundred, you're a nurse"