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 NursingRCN members will soon be able to vote for who they want as President, and as Council representativeswww.rcn.org.ukJoin 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 NursingRCN and SOM Occupational Health Nursing Conference 2026 - Advancing Occupational Health Practicewww.rcn.org.ukContent 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 NursingCarrying 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.bit.lyOur 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 NursingRCN Pain and Palliative Care Conferencewww.rcn.org.ukWhether 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 NursingThis year's AGM will take place 2pm-5.30pm on Tuesday 8 September at RCN HQ, 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN and online.bit.ly🆕 | 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 NursingThe Westminster government is seeking views on how legal protection should work in practicewww.rcn.org.ukThe 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 NursingFrom reducing programme hours to mandating community practice, here's what the proposals could mean for nursing education, and what the RCN thinkswww.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 NursingResponding to the prime minister's plans for social care, the RCN calls for workforce investment and fair paywww.rcn.org.ukAllyship 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 NursingFind out how you can work with us to promote equality of opportunity for LGBTQ+ staff and patients and raise awareness.bit.lyJoin 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 NursingRCN Pain and Palliative Care Conferencebit.lyLearning 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 NursingHow one mental health nursing team greatly improved their inpatients' physical health carewww.rcn.org.ukWe’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 NursingPrime Minister Andy Burnham and his government must recognise the value of nursing and prioritise getting the profession back on trackbit.lyThe 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 NursingYvette Cooper inherits a health and care system under intense pressure. Nursing pay and tackling workforce shortages must be her priority, says RCNwww.rcn.org.ukThe 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 NursingPrime Minister Andy Burnham and his government must recognise the value of nursing and prioritise getting the profession back on trackwww.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 Nursingbit.lyFor 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 NursingA one day conference nurses who are working towards, or currently practising at an advanced level across both the NHS and the independent sectorwww.rcn.org.uk