Royal College of Nursing

Royal College of Nursing
Name	Royal College of Nursing
Founded	27 March 1916
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Membership	>500,000
Leader title	General Secretary & Chief Executive
Leader name	Pat Cullen
Website	www.rcn.org.uk

Royal College of Nursing. The Royal College of Nursing is the United Kingdom's largest professional union and body for nursing staff. Founded in 1916, it represents over 500,000 registered nurses, nursing students, and healthcare support workers across the National Health Service and independent sectors. The organization champions professional standards, provides educational resources, and advocates for the interests of its members and the wider nursing profession.

History

The organization was established on 27 March 1916 by Sarah G. Amphlett and a group of influential nurses, including Dame Rosalind Paget, seeking to advance nursing as a profession distinct from medical practitioners. Its formation was a response to the fragmented state of nursing organizations following World War I. A pivotal early achievement was its role in the passage of the Nurses Registration Act 1919, which created the first professional register for nurses. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its influence, merging with the Society of Registered Male Nurses in 1939 and later with the Royal British Nurses' Association. Key historical moments include its relocation to its current headquarters at 20 Cavendish Square in London and receiving its Royal charter in 1928, with subsequent amendments.

Structure and governance

The organization operates with a complex democratic structure centered on its governing Council, which is elected by the membership. It is divided into national boards for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, reflecting the devolved nature of healthcare in the United Kingdom. Operational support is provided by a permanent executive team led by the General Secretary and Chief Executive. Key committees, such as the RCN Congress and the RCN Awards Committee, oversee professional policy and recognition. Regional structures include branches and forums for specialist areas like mental health nursing and paediatric nursing.

Membership and activities

Membership is open to all registered nurses, nursing students, and healthcare assistants, offering benefits including legal advice, professional indemnity insurance, and continuous professional development. It publishes leading journals such as the Nursing Standard and provides extensive online learning resources through the RCN Library and RCNi. The organization sets professional standards and competencies, accredits educational programs, and hosts the annual RCN Congress, a major policy-making forum. It also administers prestigious awards like the RCN Nurse of the Year Award and the RCN Fellowship.

Political and industrial action

The body is a major political actor, lobbying governments and institutions like the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS England on issues from NHS funding to nurse staffing levels. It has a history of organizing industrial action, most notably the first UK-wide nurses' strikes in 2019 over pay freezes and patient safety, and a significant series of strikes across the National Health Service in 2022-2023. These actions have involved disputes with the UK Government and entities like the NHS Employers organization. Its campaigns, such as Fair Pay for Nursing, seek to influence public policy and collective bargaining agreements.

Leadership and key figures

Leadership is provided by an elected President and the appointed General Secretary and Chief Executive. Notable past leaders include Dame Christine Hancock, who served as General Secretary, and Professor Dame Anne Marie Rafferty, a former President. Baroness Mary Watkins has served as Deputy President. Other influential figures associated with the organization include Dame Sarah Mullally, the former Chief Nursing Officer for England, and Professor Jean White, former Chief Nursing Officer for Wales. The current General Secretary & Chief Executive is Pat Cullen, who led the organization during the recent industrial disputes.

Affiliations and recognition

The organization holds a Royal charter and is a member of the International Council of Nurses, the European Federation of Nurses Associations, and the Trades Union Congress. It works closely with other health unions like Unison and the British Medical Association on cross-professional issues. It maintains formal relationships with regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council and universities across the United Kingdom. The organization is also a registered charity and its headquarters at 20 Cavendish Square is a recognized landmark in London.

Category:Healthcare in the United Kingdom Category:Trade unions in the United Kingdom Category:Nursing organizations