A round wooden table.
On the 24th November 2023, fifteen newly qualified and registered nurses and midwives working on this project met national nursing and midwifery leaders in a specially designed event at the RCN Foundation in central London.
A woman is giving a presentation.

The purpose of the event was to bring the two groups – who have little everyday contact with one another – together for a conversation about the experiences and needs of newly qualified and registered staff. 

The day was organised around six broad themes that emerged from the work of both nurses and midwives through the course of the year.

  • Psychological safety
  • Leadership
  • Culture
  • Voice
  • Student experience
  • Commitment 

Each of these themes was a roundtable conversation hosted by the project participants, with a simple activity on each table designed to help the conversation flow. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to explore the room and each of the themes at their own pace. By way of a conclusion, both project participants and the leaders in attendance offered reflections on what they’d heard. 

Watch the short video below, which summarises the day and its impact.

Thanks to all those who attended:

Professor Nicola Ranger – Chief Nurse (Royal College of Nursing)

Lynn Woolsey – Deputy Chief Nurse (Royal College of Nursing)

Stephen Jones – Head of Nursing Practice and Professional Lead for Mental Health (Royal College of Nursing)

Gill Coverdale – Head of Education (Royal College of Nursing)

Ellie Gordon – Senior Nurse for Learning Disability and Mental Health, (Health Education England), and Mental Health Forum Chair (Royal College of Nursing)

Jacqui Williams – Senior Midwifery Advisor (Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Caitlin Wilson – Consultant Midwife and Advisor (The Royal College of Midwives)

Ed Hughes – Chief Executive (Council of Deans for Health)

Dr Claire McGuiness – Professional Advisor, Nursing and Midwifery Education, (CNOD, Scottish Government)

Maritess Murdoch – Professional Education and Development Nurse, (North Central London Integrated Care Board)

Elizabeth Pearson – Lecturer in Nursing

Simon Cassidy – Head of Placement Experience and Improvement (Health Education and Improvement Wales)

Lisa Jesson – Deputy Lead Midwife (NHS England)

Emma Wadey – Deputy Director of Mental Health Nursing, (NHS England)

Felipe Castro Cardona – National Maternity Clinical Workforce Lead (NHS England)

Louise Page – Criminal Justice Liaison Lead (Gloucestershire Health Board)

Professor Jane Cummings CBE Chair of the Board of Trustees (RCN Foundation)

Charlotte McArdle – Vice Chair (RCN Foundation), and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (NHS England)

Deepa Korea – Foundation Director (RCN Foundation)

Suzie Bailey – Director, Leadership and Organisation Development (The King’s Fund)

Jo Vigor – Assistant Director, Leadership and Organisation Development (The King’s Fund)

A blue poster with the words to support newly qualified nurses and midwives to follow.
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A blue and white poster with the words to support newly qualified nurses.
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To support newly qualified nurses and midwives follow the compassionate support.
A blue card that says to support new qualified nurses and midwives to follow.
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A blue card with the words support new qualified nurses and midwives to follow compassion.
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A blue and white poster with the words to support new qualified nurses and midwives to follow.
A blue card with the words to support new qualified nurses and midwives.
To support new qualified nurses and midwives follow their commitment.
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A blue card with the words to support new qualified nurses and midwives.
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A blue poster with the words to support nurses and midwives to follow.