Faculty: Health, Medicine and Social Care
School: School of Nursing
Category: Nursing and midwifery
10 June 2025
On International Nurses Day, ARU was proud to sponsor the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) Students’ Day 2025, alongside HCA Healthcare UK.
This annual event recognises nursing and midwifery students not only as the future of the professions but as powerful voices for change today. Hosted in central London, the event brought together student nurses and midwives, academic partners, policymakers, and healthcare leaders to celebrate, connect and inspire.
A group of ARU nursing and midwifery students attended the event, joining peers from across the UK for a day filled with leadership development, policy discussion and professional connection. We are incredibly proud of our students, who represented ARU with professionalism, enthusiasm and insight, demonstrating the high standards and values we hold as a university.
FNF Students’ Day aligned once again with the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey — a poignant and symbolic occasion, offering students a unique leadership and networking experience.
The day featured an inspiring keynote from FNF Leadership Development Facilitator Becky Thomas, titled ‘From Silence to Safety: A Student’s Guide to Speaking Up’. Delegates also took part in two interactive, policy-focused workshops:
Delegates also had the chance to meet with both early-career and senior professionals working across the NHS and health and social care.
Our ARU students reflected on the profound impact the event had on them:
“Attending the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey was a deeply inspiring experience. Standing alongside future nursing leaders and hearing from voices across the profession reignited my passion for nursing and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I left with new connections, fresh ideas, and a clear ‘why’ for my journey ahead.”
— Mayen Antoinette Etim, Nursing (Mental Health) Student, ARU
“What an honour to be part of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Procession at Westminster Abbey. It was an amazing day from start to finish. Lots to learn at the Student Day beforehand. Met some great people and left feeling really proud of my decision to train as a midwife with ARU.
— Diane Regan, Midwifery Student, ARU
“It was an honour to be invited and take part in the Florence Nightingale Foundation event from start to finish. The procession at Westminster Abbey was amazing and it was incredible meeting everyone. Thank you so much to ARU and FNF for this wonderful experience!”
— Amelia Wong, Nursing (Child and Mental Health) Student, ARU
"Words cannot describe the immense pride I felt walking through the Abbey in uniform as part of the procession following the lamp. The professional people I met who dedicate their lives to serving our nation were humbling beyond words. The prayers, order, readings, choir, orchestra and lessons formed part of the most moving experience I imagine I will ever encounter. I cannot express how grateful I am for the experience and the unity I felt as a contributor to the midwifery and nursing profession. Being there as an ARU student with others was incredible."
— Louise Atkinson, Midwifery Student, ARU
Professor Jackie Kelly, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, attended the event and shared her reflections:
“It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many people from across the UK and many international colleagues who are deeply passionate about nursing, midwifery, and the health professions.
It was a day where our ARU students had the opportunity to be with their peers. To reflect and think about their role as students and as future nurses, midwives, and leaders. It was a wonderful commemoration of Florence Nightingale’s legacy, with our students proudly representing their professions and their university, alongside their peers, leaders and champions of nursing and midwifery.
ARU is one of the leading providers of nursing, midwifery, and healthcare education in the East of England, with an ever-growing portfolio of impactful research and innovative practice. It was a privilege to attend the commemorative service together with several of our East of England regional NHS partners, joining the Florence Nightingale Foundation, and HCA Healthcare UK on the day. We were delighted to be a part of this special event.”
One of the standout voices at FNF Students’ Day 2025 was our very own Tegan Fulker, a final-year Adult Nursing student at ARU. Tegan co-chaired the day alongside fellow student Ryan Williamson, bringing energy, confidence, and compassion to the role.
In her reflective blog, Tegan shares what it meant to be part of such a meaningful event, the nerves and excitement of leading a room full of healthcare professionals, and the lasting impact the experience had on her personally and professionally:
“It was an incredible honour to be invited to FNF’s student day. Then, when an email dropped in my inbox asking me to be one of the student co-chairs, I couldn’t turn it down.
Travelling up to FNF Students’ Day I was so nervous but very excited… Despite this, the FNF staff were incredible — they really made us feel part of the team. The workshops were inspiring and gave us the opportunity to reflect on our own journeys. I formed lasting friendships and gained a new appreciation for the power of networking and professional visibility within the nursing community.
Walking through the doors of Westminster Abbey for the Commemoration Service was extraordinary… a feeling and memory I’ll treasure forever.”
You can read Tegan’s full blog here.
Her story is a powerful example of the leadership potential within today’s student nurses — and a reminder of the incredible journeys our students are already undertaking.
Disclaimer
The views expressed here are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of Anglia Ruskin University. If you've got any concerns please contact us.