Each year, RCN forums invite members to apply for positions on their steering committees. You might feel intrigued, curious—or even a little unsure about putting yourself forward.

As a forum chair, I want to break it down for you: what forums do, what the role involves, and how to decide if it’s the right opportunity for you—along with a few tips to help you prepare a strong application.

What are forums?

There are over 30 forums within the RCN, covering a wide range of specialties. Members can subscribe to more than one forum, but you’ll be asked to select a first-choice forum that best aligns with your primary area of practice or interest. The Royal College of Nursing describes forums as a way for members to:

• keep up to date with developments in their field of practice 
• contribute to consultations and influence policy 
• network with peers 
• support their professional and career development. 

What do they do?

Forums are active, member-led communities where ideas, knowledge and professional issues are shared and developed.

Activities vary depending on the forum, but often include:

• hosting webinars on the latest developments in a specialty 
• maintaining active online communities (such as social media groups) 
• contributing to or developing best-practice guidance for nurses
• gathering and representing member insights to inform consultations and policy work 
• supporting learning events and discussions at RCN Congress.

Forums play an important role in shaping Congress. Members can work through their forum to propose debate items or contribute to the learning programme.

If you’re not yet aware of your forum’s work, it’s worth exploring the “Our work” section on each Forums page — or simply reaching out. Having an awareness of what your forum is up to and considering what you could add will make your application stronger.

What does the steering committee do?

A forum steering committee is a group of volunteer members who are passionate about advancing their specialty and supporting fellow members.

Committees aim to reflect the diversity of the nursing workforce—across roles, settings, experience levels and backgrounds.

As a committee member, you’ll help shape the direction and priorities of the forum. This might include:

• planning and delivering events 
• contributing to professional guidance or consultations 
• collaborating with RCN teams on specialty-specific issues 
• supporting engagement with members 
• developing new ideas to enhance the forum’s impact. 

There’s real scope to be creative. Whether it’s launching a new digital initiative or leading a national conversation in your specialty, the RCN provides both professional and financial support to help bring ideas to life.

For a full list of the scope and responsibility of the steering committee, review the terms of reference.

So, what’s the workload like?

Steering committees typically meet for at least one hour per month. Meeting times are usually flexible and arranged to accommodate members who are working full-time.

The overall commitment varies depending on the forum’s activity level and your own availability. As a general guide, around one day per month is a reasonable baseline—though this can increase or decrease depending on projects and priorities.

Interested in applying? Here’s how to write a strong application

Applying for a forum steering committee role within the Royal College of Nursing can be competitive—so it’s worth taking the time to craft a thoughtful and well-evidenced application.

Here are some practical tips to help you stand out:

Do your homework: You don’t need to be an expert on the RCN, but you should have a good understanding of what your chosen forum is currently working on. Familiarise yourself with recent activity, priorities, and outputs—this shows genuine interest and initiative. 

Know what you bring: Take a look at the current committee membership. What perspectives, skills, or experiences could you add? This might be a specific clinical area, leadership experience, or a fresh viewpoint from a different setting or career stage.

Position yourself as a changemaker: This is your opportunity to show how you can make a difference. Reflect on your experience and demonstrate how it equips you to influence, lead, and drive improvements within the forum and your specialty.

Make connections: Don’t hesitate to reach out to the forum chair or current committee members. They’re usually very open to informal conversations and can give valuable insight into the role and expectations.

Focus on impact, not just interest: Steering committees are active, not advisory. Be clear about how you would contribute—whether that’s leading initiatives, engaging members, or shaping future work. Show that you’re ready to take action, not just observe.

Final thoughts

Joining a steering committee is a fantastic opportunity to influence your specialty, build your network, and develop new skills—all while contributing to the wider nursing profession.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and keen to get more involved, it’s well worth considering.