Royal College of Nursing
@rcn.org.uk
We are a trade union & professional body with over half a million nurse, midwife, HCA, AP & student members. For membership and workplace queries: https://www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Help Page monitored Monday-Friday 8am-6pm
RCN members can now vote in our presidential and Council elections. 🗳️ Members will receive ballot papers in the post in the coming days, and voting will be open until 7 September 2026. Meet the candidates and find out more ⬇️
Who will be the next RCN President? You decide | News | Royal College of Nursing
RCN members will soon be able to vote for who they want as President, and as Council representatives
rcn.org.uk
Join our Occupational Health Nursing Conference, presented in collaboration with the Society of Occupational Medicine: discover how to apply inclusive practices, respond to evolving workplace health risks and integrate innovation. 📅 Friday 27 November 📍 RCN HQ, London or online Book your place:
RCN and SOM Occupational Health Nursing Conference 2026 | Royal College of Nursing | Events | Royal College of Nursing
RCN and SOM Occupational Health Nursing Conference 2026 - Advancing Occupational Health Practice
rcn.org.uk
Content warning: themes of bereavement, loss and grief. In this personal reflection, mental health nurse Jodie writes about navigating the loss of her father while continuing to care for others, and the role that support, compassion and self-care played during an incredibly difficult time. ⬇️
Coping with grief while caring for others | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
Carrying the weight of a demanding nursing role while grieving a loss can feel overwhelming. Self-care and self-compassion aren’t optional, they’re essential.
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📢 Have your say on proposed changes to tobacco and vape regulations in Wales. As nursing professionals, your insight and experience can help inform the RCN Wales response and influence future public health policy. Please send your comments by Friday 21 August 2026. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4wJWSLx
Tobacco and vapes | Consultations | Royal College of Nursing
Welsh Government want your views on proposals for future regulations related to the Tobacco and Vapes Act.
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Our Pain and Palliative Care Forum are hosting an essential one-day conference in September bringing together leading voices to examine the barriers preventing equitable access to services and explore practical solutions for nursing practice. 📅 Tuesday 22 September 📍 RCN HQ, London Find out more ⬇️
RCN Pain and Palliative Care Conference | Royal College of Nursing
RCN Pain and Palliative Care Conference
rcn.org.uk
Whether you're a health care assistant just beginning your career, or you're brushing up your knowledge, First Steps is a trusted, free tool that helps you build the skills needed to support nursing care confidently and safely. Access it anytime, anywhere – even on mobile.✅ https://bit.ly/4wxJ9Yp
Save the date: our annual general meeting (AGM) will take place on 8 September at 2pm. Find out how you can join and get involved. ⬇️
RCN Annual General Meeting 2026 | Royal College of Nursing
This year's AGM will take place 2pm-5.30pm on Tuesday 8 September at RCN HQ, 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN and online.
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🆕 | As the Westminster government moves towards making it a criminal offence for unqualified people to use the title 'nurse', they are now calling for evidence on the list of professions and roles that should be permitted to describe themselves as nurses. Read our full response ⬇️
Protect the title nurse: campaign moves closer to becoming law | News | Royal College of Nursing
The Westminster government is seeking views on how legal protection should work in practice
rcn.org.uk
The NMC has proposed changes to practice learning standards, including reducing the nursing programme by up to 1,000 hours. We are concerned about these proposals and are urging the NMC to rethink. Read our full explainer here ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4xcBHC1
NMC proposed changes on practice learning: explained | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
From reducing programme hours to mandating community practice, here's what the proposals could mean for nursing education, and what the RCN thinks
rcn.org.uk
🆕 | Following a major speech by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in which he set out plans for reforming the social care system in England, we are calling for the new national care service to be built around registered nurse-led care and backed by action on workforce shortages and pay. Read more ⬇️
Put nurse-led care at heart of new national care service, says RCN | News | Royal College of Nursing
Responding to the prime minister's plans for social care, the RCN calls for workforce investment and fair pay
rcn.org.uk
We're pleased to announce that Clare Manley has been elected as Chair of RCN Congress, with Dawn Marr elected as Vice Chair. (1/2)
Allyship and support play a vital role in creating inclusive cultures where everyone can thrive. 🌈 Download our #PrideInNursing graphics and share your support for LGBTQ+ colleagues and patients this Pride. Small actions can contribute to real change. Download today ⬇️
Pride In Nursing | Campaigns | Royal College of Nursing
Find out how you can work with us to promote equality of opportunity for LGBTQ+ staff and patients and raise awareness.
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The new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper must make nursing pay reform an immediate priority. We believe progress must be swift to ensure nursing staff see real improvements in career progression, recognition and pay. Read our calls for the new health secretary ⬇️
RCN tells new health secretary: nursing pay reform can't wait | News | Royal College of Nursing
Yvette Cooper inherits a health and care system under intense pressure. Nursing pay and tackling workforce shortages must be her priority, says RCN
rcn.org.uk
Join our Pain and Palliative Care Forum for a one-day conference bringing together leading voices to examine the barriers preventing equitable access to services and explore practical solutions for nursing practice. 📅 Tuesday 22 September ⏰ Day long conference 📍 RCN HQ, London Register your place:
RCN Pain and Palliative Care Conference | Royal College of Nursing
RCN Pain and Palliative Care Conference
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Learning disability nurses work year-round to ensure people with learning disabilities are provided with high quality, person-centred care. Find out more about learning disability nursing, and our forum’s work to raise the profile of this field of nursing across the UK ➡️ https://bit.ly/4vykpxW
Dulcie Wood brings physical health care into mental health inpatient wards at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. “We can have an impact on how people living with severe mental illness seek physical health care in future,” she says. Read more ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4yy9uHn
Physical and mental health: bridging the gap | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
How one mental health nursing team greatly improved their inpatients' physical health care
rcn.org.uk
We’re calling for the new Prime Minister to use the first 100 days to demonstrate that nursing will be properly valued as a key pillar of national infrastructure. Read our five priorities for the new government ⬇️ bit.ly/4vK5CR1
RCN sets out top nursing priorities to new prime minister| News | Royal College of Nursing
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government must recognise the value of nursing and prioritise getting the profession back on track
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The new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper must make nursing pay reform an immediate priority. We believe progress must be swift to ensure nursing staff see real improvements in career progression, recognition and pay. Read our calls for the new health secretary ⬇️
RCN tells new health secretary: nursing pay reform can't wait | News | Royal College of Nursing
Yvette Cooper inherits a health and care system under intense pressure. Nursing pay and tackling workforce shortages must be her priority, says RCN
rcn.org.uk
The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham must back nursing and invest to tackle the workforce crisis. 📢 We’ve set out the five areas which can get the health and care sector back on track and should be prioritised in the new government’s first 100 days. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4vK5CR1
RCN sets out top nursing priorities to new prime minister| News | Royal College of Nursing
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government must recognise the value of nursing and prioritise getting the profession back on track
rcn.org.uk
“The evidence is compelling and consistent: learning disability nursing is a safety-critical field.” 💬 Read Sarah Jackson’s latest blog to learn more about our recently published review of UK #LearningDisability nursing ⬇️ bit.ly/4yKdUuX
Safety, equity and expertise: A turning point for learning disability nursing | Royal College of Nursing
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For our members, #PrideInNursing means acceptance. It’s visibility. It’s showing up for each other when it matters most. 🌈💙 We’re supporting our members to deliver nursing care in workplaces to provide for safe, compassionate and effective patient care for all. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3MUjfGx
At our Advanced Nurse Practitioner Conference, put your questions to our panel of chief nursing officers including Professor Aisha Holloway, Dame Sue Tranka and Professor Lynn Woolsey. 📅 Tuesday 20 October ⏰ 09:00 – 16:15 📍 HQ London or join online Book your place: https://bit.ly/4wpw4k5
RCN Advanced Nurse Practitioner Conference 2026 | Royal College of Nursing
A one day conference nurses who are working towards, or currently practising at an advanced level across both the NHS and the independent sector
rcn.org.uk
In a society where older people can feel invisible, weekly visits from a local nursery have proved to be life-enhancing for both children and residents. This heart-warming story about intergenerational community building is the perfect end-of-week read ⬇️
Inside the nursing home transformed by tiny visitors | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
Find out about a two-way intergenerational enhancement programme led by Kevin Jones, who’s the registered manager at Bryn Marl Nursing Home
rcn.org.uk
"We need nursing staff at every point in their career to be valued and properly rewarded" General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger reflects on structural pay reform talks, working in extreme heat and the RCN President and Council elections. Read her blog ⬇️
Let's make fair pay a reality | Royal College of Nursing
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger reflects on structural pay reform talks, working in extreme heat and the RCN presidential and Council elections.
rcn.org.uk
New UCAS figures show more people are choosing nursing in England 📈 But growing the nursing workforce takes more than attracting applicants. Students need better financial support, investment in education and confidence and jobs to go into on graduation. Read more ⬇️
Government must do more to secure nursing graduate jobs| News | Royal College of Nursing
Growing England's nursing workforce requires more than attracting applicants. Students need greater support and jobs after graduation, says the RCN
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“Another generation of nursing staff cannot be failed by the incoming government retaining an outdated and flawed process.” Read our full response to the NHS Pay Review Body remit letter from Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray MP: https://bit.ly/4fjb0UV
RCN disappointed to see NHS pay process begin before talks conclude | News | Royal College of Nursing
The health secretary has written to the NHS Pay Review Body about pay for 2027/28
rcn.org.uk
A colleague in hospital. A high-profile case in the news. A patient whose outcome you're curious about. Stop and think; in today's digital health service, every click leaves a trace. Why accessing records without a legitimate reason is a professional risk ⬇️
Why inappropriate access to patient records is a professional risk | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
From high-profile inquiries to everyday workplace mistakes, concerns are growing about health care staff accessing patient records without a legitimate clinical reason
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We are carrying out essential website maintenance from approx. 8pm Tues 14 July into the morning of Weds 15 July. Various areas of our website, including MyRCN, online joining, reps hub, benefits and event booking will be unavailable during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Nursing Support Workers: have you considered standing in an RCN election? Hear from our current members and discover how you can in contribute to the effective governance and leadership of the RCN at our free webinar. 📅 Thursday 16 July ⏰ 18:00 – 19:00 📍 Online and free to attend
RCN elections: Thinking about standing? | Royal College of Nursing
This workshop is an introduction to our governance structures, giving you an understanding of the roles available and how you can in contribute to the effective governance and leadership of the RCN.
rcn.org.uk
Negotiations to improve NHS staff pay are underway. Alongside 13 other NHS health unions, we have told the Westminster government that meaningful investment to reform Agenda for Change is needed to make fair pay a reality. (1/3)