POLICY: Registered Nurses and Health Care Support Workers
A summary of RCN policy positions
This briefing is a summary of established RCN positions that refer to the education of the registered and non-registered nursing workforce. The briefing highlights that:
- the registered nursing workforce should remain an all graduate profession
- the RCN does not support the return of the second level Registered Nurse
- there are defined accountability and delegation responsibilities for Registered Nurses
- all health care support workers (HCSWs) should be regulated in the interest of public protection
- HCSWs must be supported to develop the knowledge and skills required to deliver competent and compassionate patient-centred care
- a structured career framework for HCSWs should be developed
- responsibility for the overall nursing care of the patient and clinical decision making lies with the Registered Nurse and cannot be substituted by an HCSW or assistant practitioner (AP)
- staffing levels and skill mix should be determined appropriately using professional judgement, guidance and tools
- in relation to safe staffing, there is an association between the number of Registered Nurses and better patient outcomes.
For further information, please email papa.ukintl.dept@rcn.org.uk
Page last updated - 23/03/2017