Tumbling Tuesday; Speaking up to the goose

Blog 17 | If I can’t advocate for myself,

how can I advocate for others?

If I am just Ruth, a nurse, then what does that make the person I care for or support?

Are they someone?

No one?

Just another patient?

And when I ask the doctor, using their surname, as I do, to offer an opinion, share their expertise…

have I inadvertently, as Ruth, put myself,

and thereby the person I’m seeing on the back foot?

So it matters.

To recognise our own learning, our knowledge, our expertise.

To name what we bring to the table.

Because if we don’t say it, others might not say it for us.

And we risk pulling others down within the hierarchical structures of health and care.

We don’t have to be loud.

We don’t need to shout.

We just need to say;

who we are,

what we do,

and the difference we make.

I am Ruth Germaine.

I am an experienced nurse leader.

I have expertise in advanced practice, multi-professional prescribing,

and in creating cultures of learning and development

that co-create responses to the needs of our communities.

I bring deep listening,

to know, understand, and advocate for all people..

Who are you?