A guest blog by Minne Christensen, second-year Learning Disability nursing student at Edinburgh Napier University and member of the 150Leaders 2024-25 cohort.
In my #150 Leaders’ application, I wrote about my desire to continue developing my advocacy and public speaking skills to become a better advocate for patients. As a learning disability (LD) nursing student, I have learned about the health disparities and inequalities that people with LD face. My studies have made me increasingly passionate about advocating for the rights of people with LD. I am committed to ensuring that people can access healthcare services and have equal opportunities within our society.
I am a shy person, and social confidence does not come naturally to me. However, my passion for learning disability nursing has encouraged me to seek opportunities where I can develop my public speaking skills. I have always been a determined person and have never let any barriers stand in the way of achieving my goals. To me, there are no such things as barriers when you are passionate about what you do.
The #150 Leaders’ programme has empowered, enriched, and inspired me. As a result, my personal and professional growth as a nursing student has increased significantly.
The programme, which includes conferences and webinars, launched with a two-day residential conference in Manchester. This was a great opportunity to network with students from different fields, represent our area of practice, and learn from other healthcare professionals. It has helped us develop a more holistic approach to the care we provide to our patients.
The conference was inspiring, with speeches on ‘compassionate leadership’ and ‘inclusive leadership’ from National Health Service leaders.
I learned about authenticity in leadership and how important this is when leading others.
Discovering my own identity has been the most challenging part of being a student nurse. I never thought it would be this difficult. As a neurodivergent student, I spent a lot of time ‘masking’ to fit in, but I realised I was not always being true to who I really was. The authenticity of the #150 Leaders’ programme has helped me bring out my true self. I am now becoming much less of a stranger to myself.
In learning disability nursing, introductions are hugely important. I now know that this also applies to us as individuals, and how connecting with ourselves helps us improve the quality of care we provide to our patients. After all, that is what matters—it is all about our patients.
So far on the #150 Leaders’ programme, I have helped start a Neurodiversity project at my university, promoted the #150 Leaders’ programme to other students, and am currently involved in the MDT Pocket-Guide book writing project.
Though the programme ends in March 2025, I feel I have only just begun my leadership journey. The programme has taught me invaluable skills that will serve me well in the years ahead, taking my leadership abilities far beyond where they are now. I have always had a curious mind and am excited to see where my learning journey will take me next.