Cardiff and Vale UHB becomes Florence Nightingale Foundation Academy Member

We are delighted that Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is now a Member of the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) Academy — a global initiative that helps develop, support and retain nurses and midwives.

The FNF was established almost 90 years ago to support and develop nurses and around the world to improve patient care and maintain Florence Nightingale’s legacy. The FNF Academy launched in 2020 with membership providing innovative space for like-minded nurses and midwives to build their confidence to lead — and now we are part of it.

A number of Cardiff and Vale UHB nurses and midwives have been awarded Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholarships and we are excited to be able to offer all nursing and midwifery colleagues development opportunities through the FNF Academy.

All nurses, midwives and nursing students working across Cardiff and Vale UHB can access membership benefits, which include the option to:

·       Develop leadership knowledge and skills through free FNF online modules. A new module is added every three months and contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.

·       Influence policy and practice on global health challenges through our thought leadership projects and FNF Subject Expert Groups.

·       Celebrate our professions and the legacy of Florence Nightingale as a VIP with your own guest at our annual Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey, London.

·       Connect with a mentor via the FNF Connect online portal

·       Promote the next generation of nurse and midwife leaders by annually nominating an aspiring leader to become an FNF Academy Fellow. Fellows will enjoy additional and exclusive specific networking and development opportunities.

·       Save though discounted access (10% reduction) to Nightingale Frontline peer support service.

·       Collaborate with other nurse and midwife members globally through our exclusive online members area.

·       Participate in global partnerships with organisations from different nations to facilitate shared learning and support of the global nursing and midwifery workforce.

·       Network and learn at FNF UK and Global webinars, virtual and in-person events – and have exclusive access to view these after the event. Another valuable contribution to your CPD hours.

·       Co-brand your own leadership development opportunities with support & resources from #TeamFNF.

·       Get involved with FNF decision-making by becoming members of our shared governance structures via our Members Advisory Group and Shared Governance Forum. This is your opportunity to set the direction of our policy influence activity and hold the charity to account.

·       Learn with us through elective (self-managed) placement and internship opportunities with #TeamFNF.

Jason Roberts, Executive Nurse Director at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “I whole hardly embrace the core principles of the Florence Nightingale Foundation in its relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare and I'm very proud that we have joined the FNF Academy.

"The FNF Academy offers many rewarding opportunities, including access to tailored and flexible leadership programmes, innovative online learning opportunities and invaluable peer support. Our collaboration will empower our nurses and midwives to reach new heights and revolutionize patient care.

"Together we will cultivate a generation of compassionate, innovative and visionary leaders who will continue to shape the future of healthcare at Cardiff and Vale.”

Rebecca Aylward, Deputy Executive Nurse Director, added: “The Florence Nightingale Foundation is a wonderful charity that provides opportunities for nurses and midwives to develop their own professional and personal leadership.

“We are delighted to be Members of the FNF Academy and to be able to offer all of our nurses, midwives and student nurses the opportunity to access all of the Academy’s fantastic benefits, which includes a wealth of learning resources such as webinars and online modules.  

“I’m particularly excited about FNF Connect, an online portal that is exclusive to members and will allow any nurse, midwife or nursing student working at Cardiff and Vale UHB to connect with a mentor.”

Rachel Morgan, Director of Engagement at Florence Nightingale Foundation said: “We’re really excited to welcome Cardiff and Value University Health Board as a new member of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Academy. 

“Membership provides an innovative space and we have already seen them embrace the opportunities and plan how best to make the most of the benefits. They join a growing number of organisations across Wales, indeed across the UK, and we’re sure that their active participation will enable nurses and midwives across their whole organisation to connect, lead, and influence healthcare.”

We would like to thank Cardiff & Vale Health Charity for their support with the initial registration cost.