Explore our five academies – Activism, Leadership, Practice, Workforce, and International – all formed on the foundations of rigorous research and transformative education.

We focus on the big picture of nursing: staying informed, using evidence, leading with confidence and thinking globally, while acting locally.

Whether you're just starting out in our profession or well into your career, the institute supports you with tools, knowledge and networks to help you grow and lead change. This is your space to connect, learn and shape the future of nursing – as an individual and as part of a powerful nursing community.

Activism Academy

Be the change

The Activism Academy is here to empower you to win meaningful improvements and positive change in your workplaces and the nursing profession. 

Through this academy, we're helping nursing staff like you to:

• organise for change
• have influence in the workplace
• drive change within the nursing profession
• be empowered to stand up for inclusion
• together, be a skilled and informed community

Nursing Leadership Academy

Lead at every level

Leadership in nursing is about more than job titles – it’s about inspiring change, driving innovation and improving patient care. Whether you're newly qualified, part of an executive team or somewhere in between, our Nursing Leadership Academy is here to support you. 

Through this academy, we're helping nursing staff like you to:

• Develop essential leadership skills and find your voice in the nursing profession
• Strengthen your leadership approach, enhance team effectiveness and prepare for greater responsibility
• Influence policy, drive strategic change in your organisation and beyond, and shape the future of health care

Learn more about the Nursing Leadership Academy

Nursing Practice Academy

Set the benchmark for nursing excellence

Our Nursing Practice Academy aims to ensure you have the the clinical skills and knowledge you need to deliver exceptional patient care with confidence. Our dedicated team of nursing practice experts and Professional Leads is here to support you. 

Through this academy, we're helping nursing staff like you by:

• Developing evidence-backed guidance, standards and learning programmes
• Collaborating with and providing expertise and recommendations to a variety of organisations, including governments
• Promoting a culture of continual learning and development among nursing staff

Learn more about the Nursing Practice Academy

Nursing Workforce Academy

Provide evidence to support systemic change

Our Nursing Workforce Academy uses robust evidence to combat the nursing workforce crisis. We're focused on the systemic causes of trends that are driving up mental ill health and attrition among nursing staff and driving down the quality of patient care.

Through this academy, we're helping nursing staff like you by:

• Setting the standard of exceptional care through our Nursing Workforce Standards
• Commissioning and producing research that guides our campaigns and changes policy
• Offering wellbeing resources to help you and your team navigate the tough times

Learn more about the Nursing Workforce Academy

International Nursing Academy

Invest in global nursing 

We take an active role in the global nursing community. It's one of our founding principles. That's why we set up the RCN International Nursing Academy.

Through this academy, we aim to support nursing staff globally by:

• Working with humanitarian programmes to help protect nursing staff working in natural disasters and conflict zones
• Partnering with national nursing associations to reach and support nursing staff in countries around the world
• Helping nursing staff prepare to start work in the UK with helpful resources and opportunities to connect with other nursing staff
• Helping our members here in the UK to get involved with programmes overseas

Learn more about the International Nursing Academy

Nursing excellence through research and education

At the heart of our institute – spanning all five academies – is our commitment to advancing nursing through rigorous research and transformative education.

Every academy, every programme, every innovation starts here.

Discover the role of nursing research

Explore our education offer