Principles publications
The RCN has produced a number of publications to support the promotion and implementation of the Principles of Nursing Practice.
The Principles of Nursing Practice card
The Principles of Nursing Practice tell us what patients, colleagues, families and carers can expect from nursing. This A6 card gives the background information on what the Principles are, why we need them, how they were put together, who put them together and what they can be used for.
The Principles themselves are printed in full on an attached pop-out card. The card is downloadable and available in print: publication code 003 863. The cards are available from RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100, and are free to RCN members (maximum of 50 each) and cost 20 pence to non-members.
Download the Principles of Nursing Practice card (PDF 894KB) [see how to access PDF files].
The Principles of Nursing Practice poster
This A3 poster shows the Principles in full, and can be displayed for patients, carers and nursing staff.
The poster is downloadable and available in print: publication code 003 864. The posters are available from RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100, and are free to RCN members (maximum of 20) and cost 20 pence to non-members.
Download the Principles of Nursing Practice poster (PDF 635KB) [see how to access PDF files].
The Principles of Nursing Practice: principles and measures consultation summary report for nurse leaders
This summary report of example measures is primarily designed for nurse leaders for the purpose of helping them to strengthen or complement the measures they may already be using in relation to the Principles of Nursing Practice, as a way of improving the quality of care or for influencing the content of local audits and the content of the electronic heath record. This is only available to download at The Principles of Nursing Practice: principles and measures consultation summary report for nurse leaders (PDF 60KB) [see how to access PDF files].
Developing dashboards summit
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) organised a nursing dashboard summit on 3rd June 2011 and invited senior nurses from the four countries in the United Kingdom to take part. The nursing dashboard summit allowed each country to show their contribution in developing dashboards and also helped detail how the RCN's Principles of Nursing Practice (PNP) align with, and underpin the dashboards. The publication provides an overview of the nursing dashboard summit, encapsulates the contribution made by each of the four countries towards developing dashboards, and raises awareness about how the PNP can support staff in their quality improvement efforts.
Download Nursing dashboards - measuring quality (PDF 1.1MB) [see how to access PDF files].
Articles about the Principles of Nursing Practice
- A series of commentary articles on the Principles of Nursing Practice published by Nursing Standard provide a useful starting-point for exploring each of the Principles. These can be found in the individual Principle pages, and can be accessed from the left hand menu of this resource.
- The first article in the series provides an overview of the Principles and how they were developed: Manley K et al (2011) Principles of Nursing Practice: development and implementation, Nursing Standard 25(27) 9 March pp. 35-37 (PDF 561KB) [see how to access PDF files].
- The nine-part series of articles is available as a printed publication from Nursing Standard. Details are on the Nursing Standard website at The Principles of Nursing Practice.