by Zoe Carciente
I first met Ricky at the Council of Deans Student Leadership Programme, where we became part of the #150Leaders tribe, inspired by healthcare students alike. Ricky discussed openly his Journey into nursing which has been an inspiration to many, and is now raising the profile of Student Children’s Nurses through his quest to become a Registered Children’s Nurse.
I took the opportunity to have a chat with Ricky about his achievements to date and here is what he had to say.
So, Ricky, how has the student leadership programme impacted you?
“Well, how hasn’t it impacted me! I have been so privileged because I have had the opportunity to meet so many inspirational students, including you!
The confidence gained from being part of the 150leaders tribe enabled me to find my voice in the world of nursing twitter, although I didn’t feel there was much out there for student children’s nursing, and so I took the opportunity to change that, and with your trusty help and guidance, the Children & Young People Student Nurse Network was created on Twitter (@CYPStNN).”
Fantastic! Can you please explain a little bit more about what the Network is and what you aim to achieve?
“The network is primarily a national peer support network, run by student children’s nurses, for student children’s nurses. The network connects us as a community across the UK and connects us with other student nurses, NQN’s, and healthcare professionals alike.
In addition to peer support, the network provides relevant, up to date information on all things children’s nursing through the sharing of articles, journals, blogs and podcasts to name just a few. We also do tweet chats on topics suggested to us by students and have done some with RNC’s and bridged the gap from student to NQN.
This has been a great learning curve for me on how to manage a team of student and NQN’s remotely, and how to keep the team engaged on the account as so to actively provide exciting and relevant content. Although credit where credit is due to you and all the team for dedicating your spare time into helping others by curating the account. Thank -You”.
Do you think Student Children’s Nurses will benefit from being part of the network?
“Why of course they will! Far too often child nursing students comment on how their studies are adult focused. That is why the @CYPStNN is bringing children’s nursing to the forefront, not only to shout about how great we are as a profession, but to supply students with support and information that is child specific.”
Do you think that social media can positively impact on your learning throughout studying for a nursing degree?
“Yes! Absolutely! I think that it should be a mandatory module in all universities to show students how they can positively use social media to their advantage.
Unfortunately, the perception many have is the feeling they are being watched in case they do something wrong, and I have heard many stories of scaremongering against the use of social media within various universities.
Therefore, I am on a mission to challenge these perceptions and have been invited to universities, where I speak about the positive uses of social media for learning alongside your studies.”
Do you have any more plans for any future projects?
“*Laughs*, When don’t I have any crazy ideas for future projects. I want to develop the network further to include a website for information and where student children’s nurses can post their blogs.
As you know, Zoe, we have started writing a book for children to give a true representation of the hospital environment, to include same sex parents, male nurses and simplistic terminology.
But all this costs money and I need to qualify first before I can achieve some of these goals!
However, I am deeply passionate about inclusivity and diversity, and that is why I strive to eliminate outdated perceptions of nursing, whilst being a positive role model to children and their families when accessing healthcare services”.
Ricky is a 3rd year undergraduate children’s nurse at the University of Worcester and has recently been shortlisted for the Student Nursing Times Awards 2020, Student Nurse of the Year: Children’s.
