Why Rotary for Nurses  & Midwives?  

Why indeed?

A very special podcast this time – with the exciting news that a new Rotary Club being formed for a very special group. Announcing the new Provisional Global Nurses and Midwives Rotary Club.

Episode #31: Dr Wendy McIntosh on Rotary for Nurses & Midwives

https://nmemporium.com/index.php/2020/10/11/rotary-for-nurses/

Sue Walker (of Nurses for Nurses Network and Nursing CPD Institutex) and Charter Member of Provisional Global Nurses and Midwives Rotary Club poses the question:  “… why is our nursing and midwifery voice not being heard where decisions about how health and community services are delivered?” So, why ARE our nursing and midwifery voices not being heard?   How do we even start to get people to listen and truly hear what is being said?  Wendy has a solution.

In the first half of the podcast, Sue talks to Wendy about her role as a Rotarian.  What is involved in becoming a Rotarian? Wendy describes her role, experiences and contribution as a ‘newbie’ Rotarian (joined 2011) who is ‘humbled by being a citizen of the world’.   ‘Is there a place for nurses and nursing skills in Rotary’?  Wendy takes us on her 30-year journey of nursing & 9 years of Rotary, meeting like-minded enthusiast Sue Walker along the way and together with the leadership group, putting their heads together to form the Global Nursing & Midwives Rotary Club (GNMRC).

In the second half of the podcast, in the discussion between Sue and Nic, the listener learns that 50% of the global health workforce are nurses and midwives, yet the profession’s representation in policymaking, at the political level or in the boardroom is at best… scant.  Through volunteering, fundraising, grants, exchange programs, sponsorship – Sue and Nic talk about a perfect platform for lasting change;  understanding others’ needs, getting involved and making an impact both locally and internationally.

It IS indeed exciting times. As we come towards the end of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife the chartering of a Rotary Club specifically for Nurses and Midwives is a great initiative – a global opportunity to join a tribe.

Working together as a team, Sue, Wendy & Nicole Nash-Arnold (Nurse Manager HQ) … you couldn’t find a more interesting and formable combination of passion and experience to introduce this exciting new concept to the world.  There’s that ‘e’ word again … exciting.   When listening to this episode you can feel the enthusiasm, and yes, again, excitement, our speakers share with their listeners.

As Wendy asked … what’s possible? Let’s be challenged and let’s figure out a way to meet those challenges.

2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife … “This is our Time”.