University Of East London Expert Elected President Of The Royal College Of Nursing
Sheila Sobrany, Adult Nursing Course Leader at the University of East London, has been voted in as the new president of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) by members.
Sheila beat three other candidates and will take up her role in January 2023.
She said her priorities as president will be securing fair pay above inflation, reducing pressures on nursing staff and tackling racism, bullying, harassment and discrimination of health care workers.
I am humbled by the support I have received from our nursing team and the School of Health Sports and Bioscience and deeply honoured to take on the role of president at a critical time for our RCN,” she said.
“I intend to lead on the core issues identified in my campaign: making the RCN strong for members, not least in our campaigns for fair pay and patient safety, and advocating clearly for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a professional college and trade union, we must foster a strong sense of unity and belonging for our members in their work and our organisation.”
As president, she will act as an ambassador for the nursing profession and represents the RCN to its members, stakeholders and the public and serve as a full member of RCN Council.
RCN members also include our nurse academics, nursing support workers and nursing students, such as those who study at UEL.
Sheila said that she intends to use her role to improve the experience of student nurses as well as support other RCN members.
“My role will also to be working with and supporting, engaging stakeholders that will support our student experience of study at UEL attract funding and sponsor innovation, research and talent amongst our nursing academics and nursing students,” she said.
“I will lead the RCN in tackling and rooting out the poor behaviours identified in the Carr Review and hold to account anybody who tries to perpetuate them. The culture of the organisation and how it works must change, and I will dedicate myself to that ambition, carrying with me the support and aspiration of each member of the nursing workforce from grass roots foundation degrees and apprenticeship in higher education to doctorate and professorship.”