Supporting you to lead at every level
Empowering nursing leadership programmes – from early career to executive, across all specialities and areas
Welcome to the RCN Nursing Leadership Academy
Leadership in nursing is about more than job titles – it’s about inspiring change, driving innovation and improving patient care.
Whether you're newly qualified, stepping into your first leadership role, developing as an established leader or influencing health care at a senior or executive level, the RCN Leadership Academy is here to support your journey. Through tailored programmes, coaching and mentorship and expert-led resources, we help you navigate challenges, build networks and lead with impact.
Get started today.
Our leadership development programmes are designed for every stage of your career
Early career leaders
Build confidence, develop essential leadership skills and find your voice in the nursing profession.
Mid-career leaders
Strengthen your leadership approach, enhance team effectiveness and prepare for greater responsibility.
Senior and executive leaders
Influence policy, drive strategic change in your organisation and beyond, and shape the future of health care.
Explore more leadership programmes
- Fitness to practise This course encourages employers to take a learning approach when addressing conduct and capability issues.
- Demonstrating value This course equips leaders with the skills and techniques needed to secure commitment for their service.
- Changing the conversational culture This course equips leaders with the skills to promote compassionate leadership.
What our members are saying
'Excellent'
"An excellent programme with a lovely group of nurses from different ward settings and all levels of experience and grade."
Member, Doncaster
'A chance to reflect'
"The programme has allowed me to reflect on my current standing as a leader, and the kind of leader I want to become."
Member, Northampton
'Learnt a lot'
"I learnt a lot about delegation skills and communication techniques. I'll implement these to progress in my career."
Member, Harrogate
Be part of the new virtual home of the RCN Institute
Our exciting new platform, Nest, is here.
Be one of the first to join our new global community for nurses, designed to support collaboration, peer learning and the sharing of nursing best practice.
Meet the team
We're a dedicated team of experienced nurse leaders, educators and mentors passionate about supporting your leadership growth. With expertise across clinical practice, policy, education, research and workforce development, we're here to share guidance and insights, and connect you with opportunities to thrive as a leader.
Lucy Muchina
Interim Associate Director of Nursing Leadership
Lucy is a visionary nursing leader and brings a distinguished track record of senior leadership across health and social care, underpinned by deep clinical expertise in safeguarding, governance, and quality improvement. Previously RCN’s Deputy Chief Nurse and Regional Director, Lucy is widely recognised for her strategic insight, compassionate leadership, and steadfast commitment to advancing the nursing profession. She has extensive experience working at senior level, influencing policy, shaping workforce strategy, and driving system-wide transformation to improve patient outcomes.
Vanessa Coelho
Head of Nursing Leadership
Vanessa is a senior nursing leader with extensive experience in leadership development, education and workforce transformation. Having worked across clinical, academic and executive settings, she leads initiatives that strengthen leadership capability and support the nursing profession. Vanessa holds an Executive MBA, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Associate of King's College. She is passionate about compassionate, inclusive leadership that enables individuals, teams and organisations to thrive.
Lorraine King
Interim Head of Leadership
Lorraine has over 20 years’ experience in leadership development across healthcare, higher education, consultancy and the voluntary sector. As Interim Head of Leadership at the RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence, and alongside her leadership consultancy practice and role as Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham, she designs and leads programmes that develop compassionate, responsible and effective leaders, enabling positive outcomes for patients, colleagues and wider society.
Harry Ranton
Project Manager
Harry is a Project Manager with the RCN Leadership Academy. He supports the development of leadership programmes and leads the development of Nest, the RCN’s online community platform, helping create spaces for nurses to connect, learn and share. He has worked across the RCN, including roles in RCN Direct and with the King’s Nursing Cadets, bringing a broad understanding of how nurses engage with the organisation at different stages of their careers.
Ella Braidwood
Project Coordinator
Ella joined the RCN Leadership Academy in 2025 to pursue a project management career, after working in the RCN Communications Department since 2023. She has led and supported projects including leadership development programmes, a mentoring initiative, the Nest online nursing platform, and events for senior nurses. Ella is PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner and is passionate about delivering projects that advance leadership development across the nursing profession.
Get in touch
We want to make sure the leadership academy provides accessible and relevant content for you. If you would like to get more information about the LA please get in touch using the contact form below.
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