The cost of living crisis, energy crisis and climate crisis. With a new and emerging crisis being reported by mainstream media all too frequently, I think I can speak for most when I say that now is indeed a time of great uncertainty. It has been a very hard 3 years, we are all feeling it and, without an end in sight, I am finding it difficult to find a positive for this year-end right now.
Not only do we face great uncertainty, but we suffered a collective loss in September this year with the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. It was with genuine sadness that I learned of the loss of Her Majesty The Queen, our Patron of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The Queen has championed nurses and nursing causes throughout her reign, and even before she was Queen. As the then Princess Elizabeth, she supported the Student Nursing Association as its President in 1944. Following her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II became Patron of the RCN. Her Majesty's association with the RCN was long-standing for some 65 years (Ford, 2022).
She was indeed an example to us all of those rare qualities of duty and service. I recall her Majesty in London, re-opening the refurbished Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) building at 23 Portland Place, back in 1986. She was always very well informed, unerringly professional and appeared to connect with us in times of both triumph and crisis.
Since 2002, The Queen has been the Patron of the Queens Nursing Initiative (QNI) charity. Her legacy continues with the QNI, as it was announced just last month that, happily, Her Royal Highness, Camilla—the Queen Consort—has accepted an invitation from the QNI to take on the role of their new Patron.
Despite its long-term Royal Charter, I do not know if the RCN is planning to invite another member of the Royal family in as its new Patron. The RCN appears to be an organisation in crisis itself and, after 45 years as a full member, it is my view that the RCN has lost its way in recent times. Personally, I was disappointed to see that the history being made right now by the RCN is that strike action has been called, and in all four UK nations after members voted in favour of the majority of NHS employers (RCN, 2022).
I am approaching the last chapters of my career as a registered nurse and, on reflection, it has been my privilege to have gained such a long service. I considered it my duty to assist my patients, and it has been my professional and personal commitment to patient care that has kept me on the NMC register since 1979.
The Queen experienced many episodes of crisis during her long reign, and I am sure her message to us now would be to hold fast and keep the ship steady, as there will be brighter and better times to come. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.