Introduction

The RCN Group operates within the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern its operations.

The RCN Group, and its individual parts, are committed to ensuring that the action we take is informed by our values.

These aspects include, but are not limited to, a core part of our role to champion public health and the wider societal issues that impact on health. 

At the same time we also have a duty to work within the parameters of our Royal Charter and to be mindful of our responsibilities to the whole nursing family and individual members of the nursing community in health and care across the UK.

By virtue of our Charter, we also have a duty:

• To promote the science and art of nursing and education and training in the profession of nursing;
• To promote the advance of nursing as a profession in all or any of its branches;
• To promote the professional standing and interests of Members; 
• To assist Members who by reason of adversity, ill-health or otherwise are in need of assistance of any nature;
• To promote through the medium of international agencies and otherwise the foregoing purposes in other countries as well as in Our United Kingdom 

Our Approach

The nursing profession has four fundamental responsibilities under its International and UK Codes. These are to prioritise people; practice effectively; preserve safety; and promote professionalism and trust to promote health, prevent illness, restore health and alleviate suffering.

The RCN Group’s approach to its practice is underpinned by these principles.

Prioritising people involves treating people as individuals and upholding their dignity, listening to people and responding to their preferences and concerns, acting in people’s best interests and taking into account the different needs of the individual, the family and the community.

The nursing community has a responsibility to support the population to make healthier choices and to empower people by providing accurate information to help them understand the impact that lifestyle has on their health. However, if an individual chooses not to change unhealthy behaviours then the ethos of nursing ensures that they will be treated in a non-judgemental way for any illness that ensues.

Inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including cultural rights, the right to life and choice, to dignity and to be treated with respect. Nursing care is respectful of and unrestricted by considerations of age, colour, creed, culture, disability or illness, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, politics, race or social status. 

The RCN Group will therefore embrace equality and inclusion and will ensure that these values underpin all the RCN Group does.

Practicing effectively means taking the best available evidence, communicating clearly, and being accountable for one’s decisions. Nursing professionals need to build supportive relationships with patients and to make every contact count. They also need the skills to have the difficult conversation with patients about their lifestyle, and to use their professional judgement as to which clinical situations are appropriate for these conversations.

Members of the nursing community also work to prevent ill health by addressing lifestyle choices in a fashion which makes people feel supported to make healthier choices. 

The RCN Group aligns its practice and activities with these aims to inform and respect lifestyle choices.

Preserving safety includes acting without delay if nursing professionals believe that there is a risk to patient safety or public protection; raising concerns immediately if they believe a person is vulnerable or at risk and needs extra support and protection; and being aware of, and reducing as far as possible, any potential for harm associated with their practice.

More broadly the RCN Group believes that the role of any government is vital in addressing some of the structural causes of health inequalities. This includes aspects such as making the use of seat belts in cars compulsory; not using hand held mobile phones when driving; mandating the inclusion of accurate information and appropriate advice on the labelling of tobacco, alcohol and food products; drawing up a clear transport policy to reduce air and noise pollution; and encouraging the adoption of active forms of transport, such as cycling and walking.

The Group also supports the principle of engaging with business to behave in a socially responsible way.

Promoting professionalism and trust includes upholding the reputation of the nursing profession at all times, and providing leadership to make sure people’s wellbeing is protected and to improve their experiences of the healthcare system. Professionalism and trust are also key issues from an ethical standpoint. With nursing seen as one of the most trusted professions by the public, the RCN Group needs to firmly align its approach with the nursing agenda.

Conclusion

The RCN Group ensures that the actions we take are informed by our mission and our values which are based on the Nursing Code. Through this approach we aim to encourage and promote good decision-making in line with our values and help drive change to deliver higher environmental, social and governance standards.

This Values Statement sets out our approach. How we apply this approach to our Group Strategy and to all our Group policies and procedures and activities. 

The RCN Group will also seek to influence and encourage positive change in line with our values through the deployment of an active and responsible membership and stakeholder engagement strategy.

 

November 2017