Blog - Paul Wilson, Student member of ARNS
(Last updated: )
Over the last few years, I have been working towards gaining my Nursing Qualification at West of Scotland University. I started educating myself about 16 years ago; I am in my third year at uni. I turned my life around, got control of my asthma, and then set myself on a path to educate myself. I also wanted to work as a nurse to help others the way the nursing staff, who were always able to give me care, helped me during my 48 admissions to the hospital.
During the last few years, I have run marathons for Asthma and Lung UK, met King Charles due to charity fundraising and represented Asthma and Lung UK. I wanted to learn as much as possible to build on my knowledge about respiratory care and use this knowledge to help others once I became a nurse. So that is where ARNS came in, along with PCRS. I have used the information I gained from the Scottish convention to further my knowledge in areas such as asthma and COPD care, and this also allowed me to speak to others either working in respiratory care or as a nurse.
I believe that the more I can demonstrate that I have tried to learn while I am studying, the more I will keep this level of enthusiasm up. It will also help me revalidate when the time comes, as I can use the knowledge to complete further courses and evidence-based studies.
ARNS plays a crucial role in the nursing community, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and understanding. By bringing nurses together, it ensures they do not work in isolation. This collective knowledge is essential if we are to ensure that people with breathing problems receive the right help at the right time. It's this shared knowledge that truly connects us all in our mission to provide the best care.
I am a walking, talking evidence of this as that’s how I was given control over my Asthma, and that’s what I want to do for others. I believe that my life journey has empowered me, and whilst I know not everyone will get control the way I have over their health, if I can help one other person, and it is because of what I have learned through ARNS then all this extra training and courses I have attended have been worth it.
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