Matter for Discussion: Definition of nursing

The RCN’s 2023 new definition of nursing states: “Nursing is a safety critical profession founded on four pillars: clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. Registered nurses use evidence-based knowledge, professional and clinical judgement to assess, plan, implement and evaluate high-quality person-centred nursing care.”

This definition of nursing applies to all health, social care, education, and research settings and recognises the breadth, depth, and complexity of nursing across the United Kingdom. Having a clear definition enables members of the nursing workforce to demonstrate and explain the value of nursing and the four pillars that the profession is founded on. Using the definition of nursing alongside the principles of nursing enables the nursing workforce to define and describe safe and effective nursing care.

Over the last few years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to industrial action, the nursing workforce has increased its profile with the public and media as a caring profession that wants high standards of care and safe staffing levels for the UK public. Nursing staff provide care, comfort, dignity, compassion and advocacy in a variety of health and social care settings. The nursing workforce touches the lives of people from before birth to the very last breath of life. 

In this general election year, it is essential that the value of nursing is clearly demonstrated and understood. This will ensure that nursing gains fair pay, terms and conditions and the required workforce to provide safe and effective care for our population. By discussing this item at Congress, it will raise awareness of the definition of nursing, and hear how members are using it in their everyday practice and work. It also provides an opportunity to use the definition, alongside other RCN publications such as the 2021 RCN Nursing Workforce Standards to promote the value of nursing. In many ways the definition of nursing should be seen as the starting point to demonstrate the value of nursing and provide a clear understanding of what nursing is and how nursing positively impacts on patients, peoples, communities, and the population at large.

References

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Meyer G and Ann Lavin M (2013) Vigilance: The Essence of Nursing: Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning, Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning, 13(3), pp. 100–111. doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol10No03PPT01

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/

Royal College of Nursing (2021) Nursing Workforce Standards. Supporting a Safe and Effective Workforce. Available at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/rcn-workforce-standards-uk-pub-009681 

Royal College of Nursing (2023) Definition and Principles of Nursing: Eight principles that apply to all nursing staff and nursing students in any care settings. Available at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/Definition-and-Principles-of-Nursing (Accessed 15 March 2024) 

Woodland J, Foster K and Robertshaw D (2022) Nursing in the 21st century: results of a pilot survey on attitudes towards nurses and nursing, British Journal of Nursing, 31(4), pp. 230–238. doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2022.31.4.230

Zaranko B, Sanford N J, Kelly E, Rafferty A M, Bird J, Mercuri L, Sigsworth J, Wells M and Propper C (2023) Nurse staffing and inpatient mortality in the English National Health Service: a retrospective longitudinal study, BMJ Quality & Safety, 32(5), pp. 254–263.