Hey, listen up! Why don't some nurses want to write or present? I can hear some of you say: ‘I'm just a nurse, I have nothing to speak up about.’ ‘Time and tide wait for no man.’ Nursing, like the world in which we live, continues to evolve and, as nurses, we are witnesses to this on an increasingly frequent basis. We are privileged to be at the forefront of change, driving forward clinical care and professionalism. Hopefully, we contribute to creating a culture of clinical inquiry, disseminating information, ensuring quality improvement is evidence based and central to research initiatives.
Do we owe it to ourselves to record our stories of practice?
During my term as BAUN president, nothing will inspire me more than to encourage and see nurses develop the courage to write and present—to share experiences, ideas and expertise. It is my firm belief that, as nurses, we have a unique responsibility and ability to inform and inspire our peers. Let us be clear: it takes hard work, reflection, persuasion and constructive feedback from peers to move from a standpoint of firm reluctance to write or present to a position of feeling you have a responsibility to do so and a point at which it becomes easy!
Easy? You must be joking! No! I still don't feel it's easy. On stage, I feel sick and I sudor (sweat); I'm reluctant to look out into the audience and, even though I'm struck with an inability to read from or turn pages of my notes, I need them in my hands like a comfort blanket. I spend hours practising, but I don't remember anything when I stand up. At first, I couldn't go from audience to stage without feeling the earth was about to open up, but I can now sit on stage and walk in a straight line to a lectern. I sometimes smile, but mostly gurn. I may wave my hands about or sink them into my pockets.
When it comes to writing or presenting, I and others around the association all started as novices at some point. None of us were born with the skills, so we have all learnt step by step on the journey. We have taken courses, and learnt by trial and error. None of this is easy and even the most seasoned of presenters and writers will have jitters, nerves and times when our inner confidence has its own crisis.
So what stops us nurses until we are forced into the limelight? Time? Confidence? Support? Lack of understanding of the process or its importance? Fear of rejection or criticism? Inexperience? Elitism? Do we perhaps underestimate the relevance and importance of what we can contribute?
Is this the same ‘excuse’ for everyone, but some of us will ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. What would encourage or inspire you? Mentors? Workshops? Small, association or organisation led? Sharing examples and information with peers? Support groups or networks? A safe environment? Writing days?
How about attending a session at BAUN conference 2019 given by inspirational presenters and writers?
My introduction to presenting came in 2007, my novice experience taking place in front of 400-plus people. As I waited in audience, I felt terrified, as I walked towards and stood on stage I physically shook, and I then wobbled to a lectern and sudored like never before. The notes I held fluttered like sheets in the wind and by the time I sat down they were damp. I can remember the sleepless nights and fear building inside as the event drew ever closer.
The result? I had a sense of accomplishment, empowerment, and I was amazed that my heart hadn't given out. I was proud, elated, on a high. So why did I do it? Was it an act of generosity, responsibility, expectation? All of those, plus I'd been asked and felt unable to say ‘no’.
You know all the degree and master's work you do? Do you not have a desire to share it? You've worked hard, so it seems a pity to leave it sitting in a folder. Journal editors would be delighted to hear from you, and to help and support you as required to get your work published.
So what's stopping you? Take the plunge and find the courage to write or present. Look out for a workshop in Liverpool in November to give you the right tools to travel from silence to voice. And I'm happy to speak with anyone apprehensive about taking the first steps…
My advice? In the words of author Susan Jeffers: ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway.’