Nursing and Midwifery Student Leaders

On International Nurses Day we hosted the FNF Students’ Day, an annual event celebrating nursing and midwifery students, not just as the future of the professions but as key voices for change right now.

Sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University and HCA Healthcare UK, FNF Students Day 2025 brought together a diverse group of student nurses and midwives, academic partners, policymakers, and FNF stakeholders.

This year’s event continued the tradition of aligning with the Florence Nightingale  Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey, offering a unique leadership and networking experience.

“Supporting student nurses and midwives to develop their leadership voice is one of the greatest privileges of my role. FNF Students Day is a true highlight — it’s where future leaders meet the people shaping policy today, and where fresh ideas, lived experience, and ambition collide. More than anything, it’s about connection — creating a sense of belonging, confidence, and purpose among our future workforce. If you’re not already involving students in your work, now’s the time. Their insight, energy, and leadership potential are exactly what our health and care system needs.”

Jess Sainsbury – FNF’s Head of Nursing and Midwifery Engagement and Students’ Day Convener

Key Note and Workshops

One of the highlights of the day was the keynote speech, ‘From Silence to Safety: A Student’s Guide to Speaking Up’, delivered by FNF Leadership Development Facilitator, Becky Thomas.

There were also two policy-focused workshop sessions, which allowed participants to directly inform two national pieces of work:

• Preceptorship: discussing what students would like to have included in preceptorship programmes. The insights gathered from this workshop will contribute to FNF’s Preceptorship Pulse Check 2025 report, which will be released in a few weeks’ time.
• Practice Learning for students with protected characteristics: building on the work that FNF published earlier year, with the Nuffield Trust, this session focused on the key elements that contribute to creating an inclusive learning environment and consider the potential barriers that may arise. We were pleased to be joined by colleagues from the NMC who are leading this work.

Julie Bliss, Senior Education Adviser at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: “We’re grateful to the Florence Nightingale Foundation for inviting us to discuss the review of practice learning with its students, and to understand their lived experiences when learning in practice.  The day was filled with students’ thought-provoking insights that will help inform our review and wider aspects of our work, including the modernisation of the Code and revalidation. This is vital to ensuring future professionals have supportive learning experiences in practice so that when they join the register, they are confident and can deliver safe, effective care for people.”

The Council of Deans of Health said: “Attending the Florence Nightingale Foundation Students’ Day on behalf of the Council of Deans of Health was a fantastic opportunity to engage with future nursing leaders. The workshops on Preceptorship and the NMC’s Practice Learning Review provided invaluable insights from student nurses. This event helps shape the next generation of healthcare professionals and supports the Council’s ongoing policy work that can drive change.”

We were also delighted to be joined by early career and senior nurses and midwives, who inspired the participants with their diverse career experiences.

“Meeting passionate students, whose innovative work is transforming patient care, was truly inspiring. Their contributions to the profession, through fresh perspectives, evidence-based practice, and a deep commitment to improving healthcare are invaluable. The opportunity to connect with early-career nurses and experienced registrants from health and social care was equally enriching, as their diverse insights into nursing and midwifery reinforced the importance of mentorship and lifelong learning. This event was a powerful reminder that nursing leadership is built on collaboration, education, and advocacy, and I am honoured and privileged to have been a participant.”

Debbie Cubbit, Senior Clinical Manager, East of England, Workforce, Training and Education Directorate, NHS England

Our Co-Chairs

Much of the day was co-chaired by student nurses, Tegan Fulker and Ryan Williamson. You can read more about their experiences in their joint blog.

“It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many people from across the UK and many international colleagues who are deeply passionate about nursing, midwifery, and the health professions. This was a poignant reminder of the significant part nurses and midwives play in the delivery of healthcare education and research, as a large workforce with impact across the fabric of society.

 It was a day where our ARU students had the opportunity to be with their peers. To reflect and think about their role as students and as future nurses, midwives, and leaders. It was a wonderful commemoration of Florence Nightingale’s legacy, with our students proudly representing their professions and their university, alongside their peers, leaders and champions of nursing and midwifery.

 ARU is one of the leading providers of nursing, midwifery, and healthcare education in the East of England, with an ever-growing portfolio of impactful research and innovative practice. It was a privilege to attend the commemorative service together with several of our East of England regional NHS partners, joining the Florence Nightingale Foundation, and HCA Healthcare UK on the day. We were delighted to be a part of this special event.”

Professor Jackie Kelly, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care at Anglia Ruskin University

Incredible Feedback

The overall aim of the day was for the students to leave feeling motivated, inspired, and with a strong sense of the immediate and unique contribution they can make as nursing and midwifery leaders. And it certainly seems this aim was met from their feedback:

Mayen Antoinette Etim, Nursing (Mental Health) Student, Anglia Ruskin University said: “Attending the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey was a deeply inspiring experience. Standing alongside future nursing leaders and hearing from voices across the profession reignited my passion for nursing and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I left with new connections, fresh ideas, and a clear ‘why’ for my journey ahead.”

Muhammed Salih Chirayakkattu Aliyar, BPP University, Adult Student Nurse (part of the HCA Healthcare UK cohort), said: “I had an enriching experience during the FNF day, where I connected with different people and gained valuable insights. Walking through Westminster Abbey, guided by Florence Nightingale’s lamp, was truly moving, and engaging in conversations with senior nursing officials, who generously shared their experiences, provided me with great motivation.”

Diane Regan, Midwifery Student, Anglia Ruskin University said: “What an honour to be part of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Procession at Westminster Abbey. Was an amazing day from start to finish. Lots to learn at the Student Day beforehand. Met some great people and left feeling really proud of my decision to train as a midwife with ARU.”

Parminder Kaur, BPP University, Adult Student Nurse (part of the HCA Healthcare UK cohort), said: “My FNF day was a really inspiring experience. It was great to connect with fellow professionals and reflect on the impact of nursing. I felt proud to be part of such a supportive and passionate community. The sessions were engaging and reminded me why I chose this career. It was a motivating day that encouraged me to keep growing and giving my best in my role.”