As the RCN celebrates a quarter of a century of nursing support worker membership, we’re focusing on the essential role of this workforce in patient care.
Our annual celebration day, which takes place on 23 November, recognises all roles within the nursing support workforce. Since the event was established in 2020, it's grown from strength to strength, and now includes organisations marking the day internationally.
Working alongside registered nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team, nursing support workers spend significant time caring for patients and families. They help provide the compassion, dignity and reassurance that make a lasting difference; supporting patient safety in various ways, including helping patients with mobility, hydration, nutrition and comfort across all care settings.
RCN members who are nursing support workers are represented by the RCN Nursing Support Workers’ Committee.
Sharon Mitchel, who chairs the committee, said: “This year’s celebrations are particularly significant as we mark 25 years of nursing support workers within RCN membership. For a quarter of a century, nursing support workers have helped shape our profession, strengthen our membership, and improve care for patients across the UK.
“RCN Nursing Support Workers’ Day has grown into a platform that recognises and elevates the contribution of the nursing support workforce. It’s not only a day of celebration – it’s about visibility, professional pride, and giving nursing support workers a voice.
“The RCN belongs to all of us, and nursing support workers have a vital role in what comes next. There is space for everyone, and every voice matters.
“The RCN is not just a college for nurses, it is a college for nursing; and nursing support workers have an essential voice in its future.”
To help you celebrate in your workplaces, you’ll be able to order free Nursing Support Workers’ Day badges from the RCN website next month, and you can buy an enamel badge from the RCN shop. Keep an eye on the website and on our social media channels for more information.
To help raise awareness of the day, we'll also have a workplace poster and images for social media you can download.
RCN nursing support worker members are also invited to a conference at RCN headquarters in London on Monday 23 November.
Mark Jarnell, Nursing Support Worker member on RCN Council, said: “I’m looking forward to meeting fellow nursing support workers at the conference. This is our opportunity to make sure all nursing support workers feel valued and appreciated in the workplace. Even if you can’t get to London on the day, please consider hosting an event in your workplace to shine a light on our essential role in patient care.”
Nursing Support Workers’ Day is sponsored by LV=.
