Publications
Please be advised that you can download all electronic publications from the RCN free of charge. If you wish to order a hard copy of a publication we would be pleased to send you a copy but this will entail a small charge. For more details and to order a hard copy publication please call 0345 772 6100 and select option four.
All publications are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
Copyright
For permission to reproduce RCN copyrighted text, please complete the copyright permission request form (WORD 597KB) and return to the RCN Communications department.
For specific titles relating to work the RCN has done in conjunction with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence please visit our clinical guidelines section.
Publications title search
Latest RCN publications
Latest publications
Human rights and nursing. RCN position statement (PDF 507.4 KB)
Publication code: 004249
Publication date: 17 May 2012
ISBN:
Abstract:
The RCN and its members have long been involved in human rights activities, both nationally and internationally. The RCN is committed to supporting and advocating human rights for the positive and practical difference they make to people, patients and nursing. This document sets out the RCN’s position on nursing, health and human rights and also provides the legal and ethical background to the position.
Multimedia: Using technology to complement nursing practice (PDF 1.1 MB)
Publication code: 004 228
Publication date: 10 May 2012
ISBN: 978-1-906633-98-1
Abstract:
This range of publications has been developed to help nursing staff utilise technology to complement their clinical practice. The publications cover telephone advice lines (publication code 004 229), text messaging (publication code 004 230), websites (publication code 004 231) and telehealth monitoring (publication code: 004 232).
Multimedia: Using telephone advice for patients with long-term conditions (PDF 1.4 MB)
Publication code: 004 229
Publication date: 10 May 2012
ISBN: 978-1-906633-99-8
Abstract:
This range of publications has been developed to help nursing staff utilise technology to complement their clinical practice. The publications cover telephone advice lines (publication code 004 229), text messaging (publication code 004 230), websites (publication code 004 231) and telehealth monitoring (publication code: 004 232).
Multimedia: Using text messaging services (PDF 723.6 KB)
Publication code: 004 230
Publication date: 10 May 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-00-7
Abstract:
This range of publications has been developed to help nursing staff utilise technology to complement their clinical practice. The publications cover telephone advice lines (publication code 004 229), text messaging (publication code 004 230), websites (publication code 004 231) and telehealth monitoring (publication code: 004 232).
Multimedia: Developing and using websites (PDF 941.1 KB)
Publication code: 004 231
Publication date: 10 May 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-01-4
Abstract:
This range of publications has been developed to help nursing staff utilise technology to complement their clinical practice. The publications cover telephone advice lines (publication code 004 229), text messaging (publication code 004 230), websites (publication code 004 231) and telehealth monitoring (publication code: 004 232).
Multimedia: Using telehealth to monitor patients remotely (PDF 2.9 MB)
Publication code: 004 232
Publication date: 10 May 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-02-1
Abstract:
This range of publications has been developed to help nursing staff utilise technology to complement their clinical practice. The publications cover telephone advice lines (publication code 004 229), text messaging (publication code 004 230), websites (publication code 004 231) and telehealth monitoring (publication code: 004 232).
Catheter care: RCN guidance for nurses (PDF 625.0 KB)
Publication code: 003 237
Publication date: 14 April 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904114-93-2
Abstract:
Continence is one of the fundamentals of basic nursing care and ensuring continence can significantly increase quality of life and patient dignity. Through this publication, the RCN aims to encourage widespread adoption of the new National Occupational Standards across all NHS and independent health care sectors, by enabling a full understanding of the standards and providing quality care for patients.
Tools of the trade - RCN short guidance (PDF 574.1 KB)
Publication code: 004 242
Publication date: 11 May 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908-782-08-3
Abstract:
The protection of health care workers’ hands is crucial for both their own protection and the protection of patients. It lies at the heart of a holistic approach to infection prevention, occupational health and safety policies and strategies. This guidance focuses on contact dermatitis, the main work-related skin condition affecting health professionals’ hands, glove use, infection prevention and control practice as well as the importance of considering glove use. The glove use resource comprises two documents: a short quick reference guide (004 242) and the full version (004 224) covering the content in more detail, including case studies and appendices to support readers with further information.
Tools of the trade - RCN guidance on glove use (PDF 1.6 MB)
Publication code: 004 224
Publication date: 11 May 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-07-6
Abstract:
The protection of health care workers’ hands is crucial for both their own protection and the protection of patients. It lies at the heart of a holistic approach to infection prevention, occupational health and safety policies and strategies. This guidance focuses on contact dermatitis, the main work-related skin condition affecting health professionals’ hands, glove use, infection prevention and control practice as well as the importance of considering glove use. The glove use resource comprises two documents: a short quick reference guide (004 242) and the full version (004 224) covering the content in more detail, including case studies and appendices to support readers with further information.
NHS Agenda for Change pay scales – 2012/2013 (PDF 118.5 KB)
Publication code: 004 239
Publication date: 17 April 2012
ISBN:
Abstract:
This is the RCN's pay scales card with clinical grades and Agenda for Change pay bands for the forthcoming year (2012/2013).
Becoming and being a nurse consultant (PDF 2.2 MB)
Publication code: 003574
Publication date: 13 April 2012
ISBN: 978-1-906633-97-4
Abstract:
This important study examines the developing role of nurse consultants. It explores how these nurses can further improve their practice, and that of their colleagues, in order to benefit patient care and build on the patient experience. Unlike any other study, it also involved aspiring nurse consultants to see how they could be more fully prepared to take on such critical roles. It also looks at how the role of nurse consultants – still relatively new in today’s health service – can be embedded into the culture of health providers. It explores how organisations can take maximum advantage of the expertise and influence that these nurses have in bringing about change at both a strategic and dayto- day level. The study demonstrates how nurse consultants achieved real change, and answers the all important question: “how did they do it?”
Competences: for nursing children and young people (PDF 726.8 KB)
Publication code: 004 202
Publication date: 2 April 2012
ISBN: 978-1-906633-96-7
Abstract:
The RCN publication Services for children and young people: preparing nurses for future roles (2004) identified core children and young people (CYP) nursing role descriptors and competences. These were used as a starting point and mapped against Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) dimensions to identify potential competences for inclusion in these new nursing competences. This publication presents a detailed explanation of six areas of competence that are specific to the nursing care of children and young people. These provide a useful resource for undertaking a review of educational curricula and for anyone seeking to develop, review or influence career and competence framework development in this area of practice. It also provides the basis for competence frameworks for specialist areas of children’s and young people’s nursing.
The role of school nurses in providing emergency contraception services in educational settings (PDF 1.1 MB)
Publication code: 002 772
Publication date: 12 April 2012
ISBN:
Abstract:
The role of school nurses has extended to provide emergency contraception and advice on sexual health to school-age students in education settings, following OFSTED’s report on sex and relationship education in schools (2006). This updated RCN position statement aims to clarify the responsibilities of school nurses when they are providing emergency contraception to students in education settings. It also highlights the importance of appropriate training, experience and working together with education providers and looks at the laws around providing emergency contraception to under 16s and the duty of confidentiality.
The nursing team: Common goals (PDF 79.5 KB)
Publication code: 004 213
Publication date: 27 March 2012
ISBN:
Abstract:
Historically, the nursing team has consisted of nurses, midwives, students and support workers, all delivering aspect of nursing care, but with different levels of responsibility and decision making. The team has developed considerably and become more complex over recent years as new roles such as assistant practitioners (APs) have been created. This briefing aims to assist health care assistants (HCAs), APs, registered nurses, colleagues, patients and the public to understand how the team functions and works together.
Position statement on HCAs (PDF 1.2 MB)
Publication code: 004 214
Publication date: 27 March 2012
ISBN:
Abstract:
Health care assistants (HCAs) are a valued and integral part of the nursing team, who should be supported to develop their knowledge and skills required to deliver competent and compassionate patient-centred care. The RCN recognises the need for a flexible workforce with the appropriate competences which can respond to the changing requirements of the health and social care sector. This position statement provides commissioners, education providers and employers with guidance on best practice in relation to the training and education of HCAs in the UK working at levels 2-3 of the Skills for Health Career Framework (2008).
Tuberculosis case management and cohort review. Guidance for health professionals (PDF 1.7 MB)
Publication code: 004 204
Publication date: 15 March 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-03-8
Abstract:
Tackling the resurgence of TB in the UK is a major public health challenge. This practical guidance is an invaluable compendium of evidence-based best practice for nurses and health care professionals who case manage patients with suspected and confirmed tuberculosis (TB). Complementing existing guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence it provides a clear and concise reference manual for frontline workers engaged in TB control and aims to promote standardisation of protocols and procedures, ensure accountability for delivery and establish clear performance measures through cohort review.
Safe staffing for older people (PDF 1013.0 KB)
Publication code: 004 234
Publication date: 19 March 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-04-5
Abstract:
Hospital care for older people is currently an area of intense public concern across the UK. The publication brings together findings from the RCN's forthcoming report on safe staffing for older people's wards. Building on existing RCN guidance, this new publication lays out a series of recommendations to address issues such as diluted skill-mix on older people's wards.
Persistent challenges to providing quality care (PDF 1.5 MB)
Publication code: 004 227
Publication date: 20 March 2012
ISBN:
Abstract:
This report addresses the worrying trends related to the quality of care in care homes. With an ageing population people are living with long-term conditions for longer periods and there has recently been heightened media and public interest into the quality of care homes in England and the increasing pressure on care home staff. The report analyses the issues raised in RCN surveys in 2004 and 2010, and considers the picture one year on. Key problems include inadequate funding and staff levels; appropriate skill mix of staff, high turnover of staff; low levels of morale; and lack of equipment in homes. The RCN makes recommendations for action to address these issues based on the findings of the 2011 RCN care home survey.
Going upstream: nursing's contribution to public health. Prevent. promote and protect. RCN guidance for nurses (PDF 342.0 KB)
Publication code: 004 203
Publication date: 16 February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-906633-95-0
Abstract:
Since the 1850s, the promotion of good health and prevention of disease has been a feature of public health care. Over the last 30 years, the UK governments have signalled a commitment to address the underlying causes of ill health such as social inequalities and unhealthy lifestyles. Given the significant public health challenges that prevail in the UK, there is now a need to make nursing’s contribution more visible and increase the profile of all nurses in tackling the root causes of ill health. The RCN believes nurses have a key role to play in ‘going upstream’ and initiating care to prevent people becoming ill in the first place. This publication aims to help RCN members and other health professionals navigate their way upstream, particularly service planners and commissioners of health services, tasked with finding cost effective solutions to the problems caused by unhealthy lifestyles and behaviours. The use of case studies contained in this publication can help service planners and commissioners exploit the power of nursing to help shift the overall performance in the NHS in moving away from episodic acute care towards prevention and self-care.
The RCN's UK position on school nursing (PDF 240.5 KB)
Publication code: 004209
Publication date: 14 February 2012
ISBN:
Abstract:
In a time of such shifting political and economic priorities, the community health and social care landscape is changing rapidly in each of the four UK countries. Whilst each government is mandated to respond individually to the health needs of its population and structure its health services appropriately, the RCN’s position is that there is a set of common core values in relation to the future of school nursing across all parts of the UK. This publication details the RCN’s position for school nursing across the UK and provides details on the context for reform throughout all four nations. It also provides information on the College’s position on the development of the school nursing workforce.