Excited that the trail cam (the one I switched on 🙈) caught Mrs Tiddlywinks again...as well as Fantastic Mr Fox! Love spotting the wildlife in my garden at night and delighted that a fox has visited as haven't had one since nanna lived here! #springwatch

A mini adventure since I couldn't head to the hills today. I dropped my daughter at work & walked to Govan and back, taking in the wonderful Govan Stones. To think of the transitions the site, the stones, have been through is just mind blowing. Also such a symbol of endurance.

Today on my #freeday, the #forest was calling. Precious time wandering along paths surrounded by trees instead of people. Time to think and time to feel free of pressures to conform. #natureismytherapy

As #RCN26 looks at #socialcare #nursing - let's hope that the new Scottish MSPs in charge of health & social care will acknowledge pressures facing the social care system & the #real impact on those who live with & work in it. Social care is an essential community infrastructure.

Imagine if we decided you couldn't come into hospital if you didn't have enough money. Imagine if what you wanted treated was acceptable in one hospital but not in the one in another health board. Now, imagine if social care was valued as much as health?

A great resource with videos and podcasts recordings as well as animation - prompting us to consider the cause of stress & distress and measures we can take to reduce it without reaching for meds.

Fantasy books aren't my bag but love the hype around them. @waterstones.bsky.social in L'pool has a fab display! Popped in to get a book for train. Kudos to the guy who asked where to find books on getting over your ex 🤣. When away from home, find comfort in the familiar of Waterstones 📚❤️

Leaving Liverpool today inspired by a day at RCN Congress. Hearing the impassioned keynote speeches calling for justice, for collective action. Listening to fringe conversations about the love of #nursing and the trials we face. Seeing the #diversity of nurses. Thanks to RCN Scotland.

From pay progression and safe staffing to NRN jobs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and the importance of diversity in nursing, catch up on all the key takeaways from General Secretary & Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger’s keynote today at #RCN26 ➡️ https://bit.ly/4wzxGIa

Met a #nurse named Princess today & it got me thinking. Every nurse has a crown, but it takes another's light to truly see its brilliance. We’re not meant to shine alone. Let’s support each other, inspire each other—not just straighten each other’s crowns, but make them dazzle ✨

A wee break from Congress this afternoon to explore more of the waterfront #liverpool

Hearing from RCN Chief Exec Prof Nicola Ranger at congress. Speaking about reflecting on progress, addressing new challenges & sharing our love for #nursing.

An afternoon conversation at #RCNCongress with the CNO of Scotland giving an insight into her #nursing background, her current role and what her vision is for Scotland's nurses.

Listening to an interesting discussion at RCN Congress as to whether #nursing should be seen as a #STEM profession. One speaker cautioned that this should be s-t-e-a-m because we cannot forget the #art of nursing. What's your thoughts? 🤔

Margaret Aspinall speaking to #RCNCongress about collective action, about justice, advocating for those who cannot speak...the importance of #truth and challenging injustice. Persistence, love and dedication will lead to the truth.

Hearing from Bejoy Sebastian, RCN President, on the power of #nurses collective voice, collective #action.

A musical start to #RCNcongress from Cre8ive Station

Having a wee wander along the very breezy Mersey before RCN Congress tomorrow.

Arrived in Liverpool for RCN Congress...a bit overwhelmed with the travelling and glad for some peace in the hotel which happens to have a fantastic view! Very grateful for this opportunity from RCN Scotland .

Not all nurses wear uniforms. Not all nurses work in hospitals. Not all nurses work in NHS. Not all nurses save lives. Not all nurses are clinical. Not all nurses are female. Not all nurses started their career in the UK. We need to acknowledge & value the diversity of #nurses.

Today I've been 'pottering about' my garden, doing a bit of this and a bit of that with no plan other than to enjoy whatever comes upon me...how might this be written in a #carehome residents activity notes? I can't help but feel we vilify the act of unplanned occupation.

Up early so made the most of it with a local walk....the birdsong was epic!

It's the on the go, dynamic conversations that happen peer to peer, #nurse to nurse. The water cooler chats, the head round the office door type. Precious moments where experience is shared, risks are discussed, emotions bared. These are priceless moments, invaluable interactions

Happy #InternationalNursesDay! This year, the BGS is celebrating nurses who work with older people to promote independence, dignity and quality of life for our 'Empowering the journey' theme. Nurses from all 4 UK nations have been sharing their reflections. Read the collection here: buff.ly/WxPqUKp

Nanna was a nursing auxiliary but her tales of the wards were fascinating to me as a young girl, as were her nursing books. To the nurses of today & tomorrow, but most of all to the nurses that came before us, setting our paths...thank you. #InternationalNursesDay

Nursing is both an art & science, a balance that sometimes tips more strongly towards one than the other, depending on circumstance - a duality that must remain. Nurses are skilled professionals using judgement, knowledge & compassion to plan, deliver & lead care. #NursesWeek2026

Data - what does it really tell us, is it always reliable? I've always been taught a tool is just a tool - how it is used, what it creates, depends on the artist. With risk assessments & observations - always use numbers with caution - do they match what you see? #NursesWeek2026

Beautiful morning walk #stepcountchallenge

As #nurses, we all have knowledge of health conditions & how they effect people - but we are never experts. Only the person living in that unique situation - that one of a kind tangle of symptoms & circumstances - is the expert. We must listen to their experience. #NursesWeek2026

Weekends are for #nature. This weekend I had a stroll through RSPB Loch Lomond, luckily before the rain hit! The bird song was so beautiful, the views over to Ben Lomond and Conic Hill were stunning.

Only a few days left until we mark #InternationalNursesDay on Tuesday. This year, we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate the nursing workforce in the UK and globally. 🌍 Find ways to get involved on our website ➡️ https://bit.ly/488Kvik #NursesDay

Every day as a #nurse is a learning day. We learn from training, from colleagues, from students,from the people we care for, from life experience. Best practice continuously changes & we must continuously interpret guidance to meet the needs of each individual. #NursesWeek2026

This wonderful book for #nurses is a gentle exploration into the self. 'Flourish' develops self awareness through reflective exercises, offering both comfort and challenge to readers. Grab your copy from all good book stockists this #NursesWeek2026

One of the most vital lessons in #nursing: the families or patients you feel tempted to avoid are often the ones who need you most. Avoiding “that” family or “that” patient only deepens their fear, hurt, and concern. Presence matters. #NursesWeek2026

Very proud to be walking down to #vote with my daughter for the first time. At 17, she may be new to politics but she has strong views & values which helped her choose her parties. After hearing so many people say they don't vote, I'm so glad she's growing politically aware.

Nurses are busy, but the pause matters. In a few seconds of stopping to truly look & listen, you can uncover fear, pain, loneliness, resilience & what matters most to someone. A pause is also a vital reset for the emotional rollercoaster of #nursing. #NursesWeek2026

Before—and beyond—a diagnosis, a nurse sees the whole person. Not just symptoms, but stories, strengths, struggles, and what matters most. Care starts with connection: listening, understanding, and respecting the person behind the condition. #NursesWeek2026

Great NMC conversation between Deborah Sturdy & Donna O'Boyle today inviting #socialcare #nurses to be more active in discussions around practice reqs, in leadership & in promoting career frameworks. Sad to acknowledge that many myths still exist about care home nurses.

Heard a staff member speak of her joy in the quiet, often unseen, moments in the #carehome. The reassuring squeeze of a hand, the tapping of a once reluctant foot to a memorable song, the quiet 'thank you' for giving time to someone, the 'aaah' that follows a gulp of good tea.

The #political debates are lively in this house tonight. Two established party voters certain, one youngster not yet old enough to vote also sure who he will vote for one day, one newbie voter as yet undecided and as yet in contention with the rest of the family 🤣🗳️🤔

Having psychological distress in the context of having health difficulties is completely normal, & supporting people with this should be a normal part of basic care. We should routinely ask how people are, & be ready with the skills & space to hear people. As standard.

Everyone has an enticing manifesto, but we must remember that each promise directly affects another, that every part of our life has a knock on effect on another. It's important to see the big picture but most important to #vote this Thursday.

Demystifying Death Week is about shining a light on death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. Scotland should be a place where everyone can help someone who is caring, dying or grieving. Check out the list of events to mark #DemystifyDeath Week: www.goodlifedeathgrief.org.uk/blogs/demyst...

The election is on Thursday. But care creates futures every day. Proud to support the #CareCreates manifesto and its vision for a fairer future of social care in Scotland. 👉 scottishcare.org/news/scottis...

And in other news.... I checked the trail cam after seeing the hedgehog food has been eaten and they're back!

#selfcare morning, #metime. No car, so took train into Glasgow and walked to the Botanics for #nature #wandering and the #bookfair. Walked back to the city centre via the Clyde. May have bought some more books 🙈, one even has some precious previously pressed flowers inside 💚.

A lovely walk this morning with my twinnie by river and forest. So many lovely bluebells out! #naturetherapy

Inspiring night at the #RCNScot #BestofNursing Awards ✨ CNO Aisha Holloway - nurses stand on the shoulders of giants. Nicola Ranger praising Scotland’s nursing leadership. Congrats to all winners, especially Nicola Braid (Nurse of Year) & Lori Fisher (Care Home Nurse of Year)

Nursing staff across the globe are working tirelessly to provide care for those who need it, often working in difficult conditions. We are encouraging everyone to join us to celebrate the contribution of nurses in the UK and across the world on 12 May. Get involved ⬇️ #InternationalNursesDay 🌏