50,000 tune into RCN social network in first fortnight
Published: 11 August 2009
More than 50,000 people have tuned in to watch the Royal College of Nursing's social networks video since it went live two weeks ago, it was announced today (11 August).
The online video was launched on 29 July as part of the RCN's social networking drive to offer new ways for nurses and members of the public to interact with the College. The short video details how nurses can get instant information and comment on the latest issues in nursing via Twitter, Dr Peter Carter's blog and monthly podcasts.
The new services which have been launched as the RCN increases its web presence are:
Two Twitter feeds, both for the RCN and for Dr Peter Carter, which will provide instant comment and reaction from the RCN
A new blog by RCN chief executive Dr Peter Carter
Regular podcasts on current issues in nursing, featuring high profile figures from nursing and the RCN
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
"We are delighted with the response so far. It is important that organisations like the RCN embrace new ways of interacting with nurses to ensure that we are moving with the times. The response so far is evidence that members welcome these new initiatives. It is vital that the voice of nursing is heard loud and clear, and that we can react with the speed our members need. I hope that by using Twitter, blogging and podcasts, we will be able to communicate continuously and effectively to more and more people, and to ensure that the voice of nursing is heard and understood."
Earlier this year the Royal College of Nursing announced that half a million extra people had visited its website in the last year, bringing the total number of visitors to 4.2 million(1).
The RCN social networking video and information on keeping up to date with the RCN via Twitter and Dr Peter Carter's blog can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/socialnetworks .
-ends-
Notes to Editors
For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses, healthcare assistants and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.
To follow Dr Peter Carter or the RCN on Twitter, please visit http://twitter.com/drpetercarter or http://twitter.com/thercn . Dr Peter Carter's blog can be found at http://www.drpetercarter.blogspot.com/ .
[1] 697,282 people visited the RCN website in February-March 2009 compared with 620,811 in the same period in 2008. Extrapolating the figures for a twelve month period indicated 4,183,692 have visited in the past year compared with 3,724,866 the year before. The difference is 468,826, an increase of 12%.