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Since launching its latest initiative to attract nursing students to RCNA, over 2300 nursing students across Australia have taken up this exciting offer.
In March, RCNA launched the Nursing Student Complimentary Membership (NSCM) initiative at the University of Canberra, to promote the relevance of Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation to the next generation of nurses.
The initiative, which is for first and second year undergraduate tertiary nursing students and first year diploma students, will give new members a taste of the benefits of RCNA membership.
Complimentary membership was one of the ideas generated by a ‘think tank’ of new generation nurses, held at RCNA National Office, with the aim to broaden RCNA’s reach and appeal to a demographic previously under-represented in the membership base.
Respected nursing leader Penny Newsome MRCNA has been working with RCNA as the project officer for NSCM, and says the membership initiative is all about supporting and nurturing undergraduate students and helping connect them into the larger network of nursing.
“The nursing students of today are the future leaders of the nursing profession,” she said.
“The early engagement of nursing students by RCNA as Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation will provide opportunities for the students to grow as professionals under the guidance and expertise of RCNA members. The students will also have exposure to a variety of benefits that will assist them to keep abreast of current nursing professional issues.
“The early exposure to RCNA will enable nursing students to recognise the important role that RCNA has in leading, inspiring, progressing and promoting the nursing profession.”
Penny also believes nursing students have a lot to offer RCNA. “Nursing students have enthusiasm and energy that inspires RCNA to be responsive to opportunities and challenges that ensures the continued commitment to professional standards, practice and behaviour,” she said.
Penny says she was “thrilled and honoured” to be asked by RCNA to take a leading role in the NSCM initiative, as she is passionate about nursing and about guiding new nurses as they commence their nursing journey.
“All through my career, I have been driven by a passion for the nursing profession in all aspects; from the care that nurses deliver to our patients, clients and residents, to professional standards, nursing education and research,” Penny said.
“I have been fortunate to work with some very inspirational nurses who have guided and nurtured my personal professional development. I have always strived to ensure that I demonstrate these attributes to other nursing colleagues. It is extremely satisfying as a nurse to be able to contribute to the growth and development of other nurses.”
NSCM was launched at the University of Canberra and at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney. The first to sign up was Olympic swimming gold medallist Alice Mills, who is a second year nursing student at the University of Canberra.
“As an elite sportsperson, I very much appreciate the team approach to achieving results and being a part of this RCNA team will enhance my future as a nurse, throughout my studies,” Alice said.
For more information about NSCM, or to sign up, visit www.rcna.org.au
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