Governance structure

In this section you can find out how RCN Council and the committees work.

RCN Council

RCN Council is a representative Council, responsible for the overall governance of the RCN. It acts as the organisation’s conscience in delivering its statutory purposes. Council members are the elected representatives of the membership in their country or region. They also act as trustees of the RCN property and income charity. The RCN itself is the sole trustee of the Royal College of Nursing Charitable Trust.

The Council is made of 29 members: the President, Deputy President, two representatives from each of the three countries and nine English regions, two students, and the chair of Congress (non-voting).

For information about Council's role and responsibilities see the Council role page.

Governance committees and groups

There are four governance committees to assist Council with particular aspects of its responsibilities. 

  • the Finance and Corporate Services Committee
  • the Audit Committee
  • the Remuneration Committee, which agrees the remuneration and terms of employment of the General Secretary and members of the UK executive team. This committee's terms of reference are currently under review.
  • the Governance Support Committee
  • Forums Governance Group
  • International Advisory Group.

Council committees

There are three council committees to assist with the policy development and to provide a sounding board for staff. The chairs of the committees are members of Council. All other national groups feed in through these committees. These are the:

  • Nursing Development Committee
  • Public Policy Committee
  • Membership, Representation and Diversity Committee.

 The Council Executive Team (CET) 

  • The CET oversees the implementation of Council decisions and approves the agendas of future council meetings.

Country and regional boards

Three country and nine regional boards advise and support their directors on matters relating to the country/region. Board members are elected to represent the country/regional membership. The chair of the board is one of the two council members and provides the link between the Council and the board. It is through the boards that Council is informed about the views of members on key strategic decisions.

Congress

The RCN Congress meets annually and is the delegate body of the organisation. It is empowered to request the Council to take action on any matter within the RCN’s objectives. Council can either take the action or report back the reasons for not taking action. Congress is the main way members influence the RCN’s policy agenda. 

For more information see the following pages:

The Agenda Committee

This committee organises and develops RCN Congress on behalf of Council. For more information see the Agenda Committee page.

Institute Board of Governors 

The Board of Governors was set up under the RCN bye-laws in order to qualify for funding from HEFCE. The Board of Governors is charged with the governance of the RCN Institute. 

Other committees

  • UK learning Representatives' Committee
  • Association of Nursing Students
  • UK Stewards' Committee
  • UK Safety Representatives' Committee
  • Industrial Action Sub-committee
    The Industrial Action Sub-committee is not a standing committee, but is only set up when required or consider any possible industrial action in a particular locality.