Regulation is a key part of This is nursing

Published: 20 September 2012

Training and regulation of health care assistants and assistant practitioners (HCAs and APs) is one of the seven key areas of work in a new high profile RCN initiative, called This is nursing.

The initiative is designed to promote nursing and to educate people about just how much it involves; from the skill and expertise nursing staff have spent years developing, to the care and compassion provided to every patient. It aims to challenge any negative perceptions of the nursing profession.

This is nursing is about every member of the nursing team. The RCN wants everyone who cares for patients to be trained and competent for their role, and to work together through the good days and the bad to provide the best possible care for every patient. The RCN believes that statutory regulation of HCAs and APs is essential in order for this objective to be met.

A special section of the new This is nursing website has been created for members to help them interact with it.
There is also a section of the website for members of the public as well as a series of bus advertisements in towns and cities all over the UK which make it clear to the public that nursing is a skilled, challenging and caring profession.

HCA and AP members have been telling the RCN what nursing means to them, via the website.

Laura said: "Nursing means going to each shift knowing that you are going to make a difference to someones day."

Alison said: "Nursing means giving EVERYTHING I have to ANYONE who needs it."

The other areas of work include quality and the Principles of Nursing Practice, paperwork and administration, and safe staffing – including the care of older people.

RCN President Andrea Spyropoulos said: “We know that nursing is a profession full of remarkable people - people just like you. Help us to promote the very best of nursing, defend its reputation and tackle the issues that get between you and your patients.”

Read about HCA and AP regulation and say what nursing means to you on the This is nursing website.