Third year student Suzannah Wilton-Baker, from Lampeter and studies adult nursing at the College’s St David’s Park Campus in Carmarthen, was inspired to put herself forward for the role after attending the 2014 RCN Congress.

Suzannah said: “I was amazed at the strength of the student nurses' voices and the motivation from the 12 reps leading them.”

“I am now one of these leading figures for student nurses and will take forward ideas, issues and concerns to the meetings that I attend, to influence and change practise for student nurses. Student nurses have a great voice; after all, we are the future nursing generation.

“I look forward to the new opportunities and challenges my role will undoubtedly bring. I aim to inspire and motivate other students and I will use my position to positively influence and change student nursing practise and training wherever I can.”

“I have to thank all the students who took the time to vote, I am very grateful. Secondly, to the fantastic team of staff at Swansea University, for all their hard work, dedication and support, I know I speak on behalf of all of us students when I say we really are grateful for what you do.”

Suzannah’s Personal Tutor, Heulwen Morgan-Samuel said: "Suzannah will always strive to do her best at all things and this is demonstrated in the caring, accountable manner that she cares for individuals. Suzannah is an excellent communicator and being elected as the student representative for the RCN is an excellent opportunity for her to demonstrate her skills on a national level.  Clinicians and patients speak very highly of Suzannah, as did the NMC when they last visited the College.  I am delighted that Suzannah has been elected and very sure that she will continue to commit herself 100% to her nursing, her patients and fellow students.

• For more information about the health, nursing, midwifery, social care, social policy and psychology courses on offer by the College of Human and Health Sciences,  Swansea University go to http://www.swansea.ac.uk/humanandhealthsciences