Information literacy competences

This page guides you to resources developed by the RCN around finding, using and managing information.

Royal College of Nursing (2011) Finding, using and managing information: nursing, midwifery health and social care information literacy competences, London: RCN. (PDF 1.44MB): this publication provides an information literacy competence framework to complement the RCN's clinical competence framework. It aims to help nurses, midwives, health care assistants and nursing students develop their skills in using information and knowledge and apply this to their practice. The competences are intended to support the individual and the nursing team’s thinking about the information required to inform activities of varying complexity and are intended for use by staff in NHS career bands one to nine.

If you are using or adapting these competences please let us know (email information.literacy@rcn.org.uk) and use this form of acknowledgement in any adapted work: Developed from: ‘Royal College of Nursing (2011) Finding, using and managing information: nursing, midwifery health and social care information literacy competences, London: RCN.’ in accordance with its terms of use and which is available for download from www.rcn.org.uk/informationliteracy

RCN Learning Zone: How trustworthy is your information?: this learning resource has been developed for nurses, midwives, students, and support workers in health and social care who may be routinely researching topics in support of their day-to-day work or studies. The learning is arranged around the RCN competences for finding, using and managing information and aims to help you identify and evaluate relevant information. It guides you through some of the issues and activities involved, including using information legally, inclusively and ethically, so that you develop your skills in accessing the right information at the right time, applying and communicating it appropriately.

RCN e-library learning, guides and training: these pages include details of further learning resources from the RCN and other organisations about finding, using and managing information. 

Principles of Nursing Practice: the competences support the Principles of Nursing Practice, particularly Principle F.

This journal article provides a useful introduction to the competences and why they are essential for evidence-based practice: Glasper A (2011) The RCN's literacy competences for evidence-based practice, British Journal of Nursing, 20 (3), 10 February, pp.188-189. It is available to RCN members through the RCN e-library. To access this article go to the E-journals A-Z list.