Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) Students' Day

At the heart of this year’s Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) Students’ Day was a powerful sense of student leadership and ARU’s Tegan Fulker played a pivotal role as one of the event’s co-chairs. Tegan, who is due to qualify as a Plastics and Burns Nurse in Mid and South Essex, brought passion, professionalism, and insight to the day. In this reflective blog, she shares her journey from ARU student to event leader, the connections she made, and the unforgettable experience of walking in the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey. Her words capture the spirit of the day, inclusive, empowering, and driven by the voices of the future.

I’m Tegan, a final-year adult nursing student at Anglia Ruskin University. I am due to qualify in a few months’ time as a Plastics and Burns Nurse in Mid and South Essex.

My journey into healthcare began at 18, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that inspired many, including myself, to step forward and make a difference. Though I’m still early in my healthcare pathway, I bring passion, drive, and a powerful voice to everything I do. These qualities have not only shaped my learning but continue to fuel my commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care. I began my nursing studies at Anglia Ruskin University in September 2022, and the experience has been both demanding and deeply rewarding, reinforcing my dedication to becoming the best nurse I can be.

About co-chairing

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. Having always enjoyed socialising and collaborating with other student nurses and other Allied healthcare professionals I knew this day would be amazing. Travelling up to FNF Students’ day I was so nervous but very excited. Although I loved the idea of meeting and collaborating with new people. It didn’t show on my face; however, I was very nervous to talk in the room of such amazing individuals. Despite this, the FNF staff were incredible, they gave me and the other co-chair, Ryan, lots of briefings about what to expect on the day and really made us feel part of the team.

What happened on the day

To begin the day, there were some introductions on who everyone was and what to expect during the day. We then started with a speech from Professor Greta Westwood, which was so welcoming, about her life, and what led her to the path of nursing, and how her career began and developed. This really was a heartfelt moment, I think everyone in the room was touched by this. The interactive workshops and seminars are inspiring and very engaging. This gave us plenty of time to reflect on our own journeys, especially on how far I’ve come myself. It was insightful to be able to have the NMC there when discussing our views of preceptorship for newly qualified nurses, as it felt our opinions were being listened to.

I felt truly honoured to be part of such a meaningful day. I formed lasting friendships and gained a new appreciation for the power of networking and professional visibility within the nursing community.

Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey

Since Anglia Ruskin University were sponsoring the day, all students who attended got the opportunity to be part of the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey. I will never forget walking in the doors, the feeling was extraordinary. To see so many NHS and other Allied healthcare professionals and those from the military and Royal Navy all come together to celebrate one thing to walk in line together with the same meaning and purpose is a feeling and memory I’ll treasure forever.

This event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so if you do get the chance to go, don’t miss out, you won’t regret it. The Florence Nightingale Foundation has already opened so many doors for me, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I can’t wait to qualify and become part of this inspiring network. Hopefully soon, you might even see, me representing FNF at one of their events as a newly registered nurse.

Tegar Fulker, final-year Adult Nursing student

Tegan studies Adult Nursing at ARU. Find out more about this and our other Nursing and healthcare courses at an Open Day.