RCN Policy and International Department
Welcome to the international pages of the Policy and International website. For information on our role, go to What we do.
Many of the downloads in this section are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
News
Nurses' voice in the EU Policy Process: celebrating 40 Years of EFN
One of the RCN’s key international alliances, the European Federation of Nurses’ Associations (EFN), has published a book on its history and nursing’s future impact on the politics and policy of the EU. Written to celebrate EFN’s 40th anniversary, "Nurses’ voice in the EU Policy Process" by Paul De Raeve, EFN’s Chief Executive, is currently available via the RCN at a discounted price of £19.99.
The book covers the history of the European nursing movement, effective lobbying for successful outcomes, EU funding, bringing different stakeholder voices to the EU, and nursing's future influence in Europe.
European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes calls it a "fascinating book" on "an important subject".
To order a copy call 0345 772 6100 and quote publication code 004 206.
If calling from outside the UK, you can call 00 44 207 647 3456.
Nurses' right to practise across Europe
On 19 December 2011 the European Commission issued a set of proposals for revising EU legislation on nurses’ right to practise in Europe. The RCN has issued a press release on the issue. The draft legislation covers proposals to:
- Require a minimum of 12 years of general education or equivalent (rather than 10 years) to enter nurse education programmes, to acknowledge the increasing complexity and breadth of nursing roles over last 30 years.
- Maintain a minimum number of hours for nurse education programmes and commit to updating the list of content for these programmes.
- Confer greater ability for health regulators to test language competency of EU nurses.
- Provide easier access to advice for health professionals seeking recognition of their qualifications.
- Oblige health regulators to exchange information on health professionals who have been struck off or suspended through a secure electronic database (the International Market Information System).
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Peter Carter says: "Nursing is a global profession and individual health professionals have every right to seek recognition and employment in another EU country... the RCN welcomes this proposal ... [but] we remain concerned about the lack of requirement to ensure professionals keep their skills up to date." Read more.
RCN advocates for women's and children's human rights in Indonesia
In December 2011 the RCN collaborated with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and several other health care organisations, including the International Council of Nurses (ICN), to write to the Indonesian authorities objecting to a new set of clinical guidelines which medicalise female genital mutilation (FGM). Whilst all organisations accept the rationale behind the new guidelines, intended to ensure that this widespread practice is carried out in sterile conditions by qualified health professionals rather than traditional healers, the concern is that the move to a health care setting effectively legitimises and legalises a harmful and unethical practice. The implementation of the guidance would send a clear signal to other countries that female genital mutilation is acceptable, and undo the good work that has been done over the past two decades to eradicate the practice, which is a gross violation of women's and girls' human rights and bodily integrity. For further information
The RCN has previously produced guidance on the issue of FGM in a UK setting: Female genital mutilation: An RCN educational resource for nursing and midwifery staff (PDF 1MB) [See how to access PDF files].
RCN's European nursing body agrees next steps on nurse education in Europe
The European Federation of Nurses Associations (EFN) agreed at its meeting in October 2011 to develop Europe-wide competencies for nurse education as part of the likely second stage of the EU's review of the professional qualifications directive in Europe. EFN members also agreed to change its membership arrangements to open up to more than one nursing organisation per country. Nurses' associations also discussed the impact of the economic crisis and the future health workforce and the RCN shared its work on Frontline First and in particular its work with members to identify nursing innovations.
Health trade unions in Europe address challenges of the economic downturn and impact of Europe on health services
The RCN's European trade union body - the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) - focused its health conference in Romania in October 2011 on the continuing shortage of health workers, migration of patients and professionals within EU and impact of ageing workforce in the context of the severe economic crisis in Europe. The RCN, along with colleagues from other health and nursing unions, presented on changes to professional recognition in Europe and retention issues in relation to older health workers.
EPSU issued a strong statement on the negative effects that the economic crisis and austerity measures are having on health workers in terms of workload, low pay, and stress, and called for a sustainable health care system in Europe. (Read European health workers must not be the scapegoats of the crisis). It stressed the need for effective dialogue with governments on measures to improve patient and worker safety and to tackle the challenges that cross-border mobility will pose to the recruitment and retention of health workers in countries where workers are low-paid.
Contact us
For advice on working and volunteering overseas, and information on coming to work in the UK from abroad, please contact: web.enquiries@rcn.org.uk
For other international enquiries please contact international@rcn.org.uk