RCN Scotland launches new Community of Practice for Care Home Nurses working with Older Adults

The community will give members a place to share professional knowledge, learn in a collaborative environment and reflect on their day-to-day roles with others working in a similar area. There will be presentations from leading experts, along with practical and case-based learning, to encourage and support professional development.

RCN Scotland developed this community in response to feedback from members, which highlighted the need for more support for care home nurses. It is open to registered nurses working in care homes for older people in Scotland, who are members of the RCN Care Home network.

The community of practice’s first meeting will take place on Friday 15 August and will include group discussion, case study work and a presentation from guest speaker Professor Terence Quinn, David Cargill Chair of Geriatrics, University of Glasgow.

Carol Dale, IHSC Lead Nurse at RCN Scotland, said: “This is an event every care home nurse in Scotland should have in their diary. We’ve built this community in direct response to what nurses told us they need: real, practical support and a space to learn from each other. By bringing together leading experts and showcasing real-world case studies, we’re making sure everything is grounded in evidence and everyday experience. You’ll leave with insights you can put to use right away - and a network that will keep supporting you long after the event.”

Kirsty Cartin, Care Home Manager at Rashielee Care Home in Erskine and RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year 2025, said: "This new community of practice is a great opportunity to share our innovation, to come together and create new opportunities, and to work towards a new vision of social care. It's a great idea!”