Competence in the nursing profession is practicing not only with technical skill but also with kindness and compassion according to Professor Derek Sellman, Director of Philosophical Nursing Research, University of Alberta, Canada, who spoke at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) 32nd Annual Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Conference.
Pictured (l-r) are Professor Paddy Broe, President RCSI, Ms Edna Woolhead, Dean of the Faculty, Professor Rowaida Al-Maaitah who received an Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty, Dr Bashar Al-Khasawneh, Prof Seamus Cowman, Head of Department and Professor of Nursing, RCSI.
In his keynote address, ‘Competence in Times of Austerity, Professor Sellman, author of the book ‘What Makes a Good Nurse, highlighted the importance of keeping focused on both kindness and compassion and not just technical skills, which are often the main focus of competency in times of austerity.
Pictured (l-r) are Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of Department and Professor of Nursing, RCSI, Professor Padddy Broe, President, RCSI, Mr Tommy Gorman, RTE Correspondent and Ms Edna Woolhead, Dean of the Faculty.
Approximately 130 nurses and midwives attended the RCSIs 32nd Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Conference entitled ‘Nursing Development in Times of Austerity, which took place on Thursday, 21st February 2013.
Pictured (l-r) are Ms Suzanne Moore, Eileen Daly, Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of Department and Professor of Nursing, RCSI, Professor Derek Sellman and Dr Dianne Cooney-Minor.
Speakers from North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Ireland delivered presentations on the latest developments on a range of topics including nurse-led service developments; oncology; wound management and tissue viability; palliative care; mental health; and midwifery and womens health.
Pictured (l-r) are Professor Tom Collins, President, RCSI Bahrain, Ms Maryam Yaqoob, Ms Lamees Dawood, Prof Seamus Cowman and Prof Sameer Otoom, Vice-President, RCSI Bahrain.
Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of the Faculty and School of Nursing and Midwifery at RCSI said: ‘The RCSI 32nd annual international conference represents an exciting opportunity for nurses and midwives to come together to discuss the very latest evidence based practice and new research. Given the current challenges in our health care environment, it is very encouraging to see an increasing number of Irish nurses and midwives presenting alongside our international colleagues. This is a positive indicator for the future of the nursing and midwifery professions in Ireland.
Pictured (l-r) are Margaret Boland, Mary Tighe, Ms Elsbeth Finlay, Dr Zena Moore and Ms Mary Casey.
The conference opened yesterday evening with an opening address from Mr. Tommy Gorman, RTE Correspondent, followed by the conferring of an Honorary Fellowship on Professor Rowaida Al-Maaitah, Professor of Nursing at the Jordan University of Science and Technology. An internationally noted and eminent member of the nursing profession, Professor Al-Maaitahs notable achievements include being first Jordanian woman to be appointed as University President, University Vice-President, Director General of a 600 bedded teaching hospital and Dean in the academic sector. Three times a Senator in the Upper House of the Jordanian Parliament, in October 2011, Professor Al-Maaitah was the first woman to be appointed as Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research with a portfolio for the responsibility of the organisation and regulation of vocational education and training.
Pictured is Mr Tommy Gorman, RTE Correspondent, opening the conference.
A copy of the conference programme can be viewed at: www.rcsi.ie/nursingconference
Pictured (l-r) are Dr Michael Bergin, WIT, Ms Lorraine Murphy, HSE and Mr Martin White, HSE.