About nursing communities

What are nursing communities?

An online community is a website that facilitates simple and easy communication as well as interaction between members who are interested in a particular subject or subjects. It is this interest that binds the group together and transforms them into a group, a community with a specific interest, or a network, which then builds as members start to get to know each other and interact, forming a social or ‘community’ bond

How do they work?

RCN communities are defined as ‘by the members, for the members’. This means that members create most of the content for the community, and community editors – volunteers from the community – make that content live on the website. Editors act as the link between the community members and RCN staff. Community editors do not have to be professional web editors but they do have to have some commitment, time and enthusiasm. Editors will receive support and training from the RCN.

There is also the facility to add your comments in reaction to new articles, and discuss professional matters in the discussion zone. We are working on enhanced electronic communications tools that will allow members to communicate in different ways.

How can you get involved?

As long as you are a member of the RCN you can join as many RCN communities as you want. Once you have joined a community there is a section called ‘Get involved’ that explains how you can use your community resource and what it can do for you.

RCN communities need your support to become a success. Make them work for you.

Who has a nursing community?

We are running a pilot scheme to refine the community model. When this process is completed we plan to create a community for all existing RCN forum groups. When this process is completed new communities can be formed using the following guidelines:

  • A proposed new community is distinct from all existing RCN communities
  • At least 20 other current RCN members support the proposed new community
  • One of those members is nominated, or volunteers to be a “community editor”
  • The community editor signs the community acceptable use policy

There are three potential types of RCN community:

  • A group of RCN members with a common nursing speciality
  • RCN members with a geographical grouping, region or specific location
  • A member group united by a common issue or campaign.

Acceptable use policy

The acceptable use policy must be understood and adhered to by all community members, especially those able to make content live on the website. It is has been set up to ensure the safe, responsible and professional use of the community and to ensure that community members and the RCN itself are not exposed to risk

For further details please see our community acceptable use policy

Future development

What you see now is he first phase of our community development programme. We will be working in consultation with our members to improve your community, and will offer each community enhanced communications tools.

We hope that through ongoing research and development of the RCN nursing community model we can help to create the best professional nursing communities in the UK.