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Publications

RCN publications cover a wide range of topics varying from clinical guidance to employment relations issues to advice on bullying. To reproduce RCN publications please complete the copyright request form and we’ll be in touch.



  • 9 Dec 2021

    Ask. Listen. Act. (2nd edition)

    Publication Code : 010 004

    This second edition of Ask. Listen. Act has been revised following the launch of the RCN’s Nursing Workforce Standards in May 2021. A working group of RCN reps and staff came together to review the Nursing Workforce Standards. The overwhelming feeling was that they spell out the link between working conditions and patient care in a way that will help people understand trade union activity in a professional context. They can be used by reps and branches to start a conversation about what you experience in the workplace and to work proactively with members, other trade unions and senior managers to highlight and address system-wide issues.

  • 15 Nov 2021

    10 Unsustainable Pressures on the Health and Care System in England

    Publication Code : 010 047

    Members of the RCN working across health and social care in England dispute statements that the current situation in health and care is sustainable. Action needs to be taken to retain as many nursing staff as possible in light of serious staffing vacancies, as well as high levels of exhaustion and burnout. On top of this, the system is currently dealing with the immediate challenge of rising COVID-19 cases, intensified pressures as winter approaches and clearing the growing backlog of undelivered care to people in need. The RCN has identified ten areas that currently demonstrate unsustainable, untenable conditions within the health and care system across England. All of these are reliant on nursing.

  • 10 Nov 2021

    Dementia Care Principles for People in Prison

    Publication Code : 009 751

    A diagnosis of dementia is profound. It affects the person, their circle of support, and the wider community - particularly if that community is a prison. The Royal College of Nursing has adapted its long-established SPACE principles in order to promote dementia care in prisons. This document sets out the five principles, based on evidence gathered from people living with dementia, carers and practitioners, that form a shared commitment to improving dementia care in prisons. The related spider gram tool (Transforming Dementia Care in Prison) can be used to benchmark current practice and completed again at intervals to monitor progress.

  • 19 Oct 2021

    Administering Subcutaneous Methotrexate for Inflammatory Arthritis

    Publication Code : 009 675

    This guidance provides the background information regarding subcutaneous methotrexate as an educational resource for practitioners, with particular reference to safety and best practice; and incorporates new sections on treat-to-target and medication optimisation. Whilst the guidance has been developed for rheumatology practitioners, some aspects may also be of value to health care colleagues working in other specialties including dermatology, gastroenterology and ophthalmology. This publication is supported by grants from Accord, Medac and Nordic. This publication is currently under review.

  • 15 Oct 2021

    Implementing the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016

    Publication Code : 009 981

    The passing of the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016, the first of its kind in Europe, stands as a testament to the ability of the organisation to campaign effectively, to engage in political and legislative processes with evidence, and to support both the introduction and passage of key legislation to set minimum nurse numbers in acute hospital settings. This report explores what actions made the difference in delivering the legislation.

  • 7 Oct 2021

    Facing COVID-19

    Publication Code : 009 933

    This publication comprises of a number of case studies detailing the powerful and inspiring work that has been undertaken by our reps since the start of the pandemic.

  • 17 Sep 2021

    Mouth Care Matters in End-of-Life Care

    Publication Code : 009 921

    This publication has been developed for people who work in health and social care to support the delivery of safe and effective mouth care for adults in end-of-life care. Mouth care includes cleaning the lips, tongue, roof of the mouth, gums, teeth and dentures and is a very important part of end-of-life care. This guidance includes the fundamental principles of mouth care, detail on mouth assessment and care planning, and signposts to further information and resources.

  • 18 Aug 2021

    SenseMaker: the lived experience of nursing in Northern Ireland during a pandemic 2020/2021

    Publication Code : 009 870

    This publication is a summary report of a qualitative survey commissioned by RCN Northern Ireland to identify nurses’ experience of delivering care and treatment across a range of settings during the period April 2020 to March 2021. Not only was 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, but the timeframe also coincided with a major public health crisis caused by COVID-19. This makes the nurses’ experiences even more significant as it provides a unique social history of nursing during a 21st Century global pandemic.

  • 17 Aug 2021

    Just About to Graduate

    Publication Code : 009 800

    This booklet is a helpful guide for nursing students about to graduate and embark on their nursing career. It contains information on getting on the NMC register, preceptorship, revalidation and how the RCN can support members.

  • 27 Jul 2021

    Catheter Care

    Publication Code : 009 915

    Publication aiming to encourage widespread adoption of the National Occupational Standards across all NHS and independent health care sectors, by enabling a full understanding of the standards and providing quality care for patients. This edition replaces 007 313 This publication is supported by B. Braun, BD Medical, Coloplast and Wellspect.