RCN Scotland
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Influencing on your behalf

Influencing Scottish health and social care policy and practice

We campaign on issues of concern to nursing staff and patients, influencing health policies and promoting excellence in nursing practice on behalf of our members.

Our influencing work

We respond to consultations from Scottish government, calls for evidence from the Scottish Parliament on proposed changes to policy or to the law, ensuring that the voice is nursing is represented. We regularly brief key political and sector stakeholders on the key issues impacting nursing staff and the actions needed to ensure our members receive the recognition and support they need and that nursing is an attractive and rewarding career for generations to come.
Green paper response

Read our latest responses:

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Nursing Workforce in Scotland 2025

Our latest report shows the pressures on Scotland’s health and care system and the ongoing nursing workforce crisis have shown little sign of improvement.

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The Nursing Workforce in Scotland 2025

Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce

Find out more about how the Taskforce will work, the scope of its work and what the RCN expects

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Scotland election campaign 2021 Valuing workforce 1

Government review of financial support for nursing students

In response to lobbying from the RCN the Scottish government has committed to a review of the current financial support package for nursing students. This is your chance to get involved and influence change for you and future nursing students.

The Scottish government has been holding engagement sessions looking at the existing financial support and other ways to support you to complete your studies. The planned dates have now happened and we will update here if any more are planned.

Nursing Student Finance

Download our briefing

We created a briefing for nursing students to help you prepare for attendance at the Scottish Government events.

Protect the future of nursing, before it's too late!

We need more nurses. But the financial pressure on students today is pushing too many away from nursing.

To become a nurse in the UK, students undertake university studies alongside mandatory placements as part of their training, with very limited financial support.

Add your name to call on governments across the UK to commit to review the financial support available for nursing students. 

Sign the petition
close-up of nursing staff member signing document on clipboard

Safe staffing in Scotland

Following sustained pressure from RCN Scotland and its members, the Scottish Government published a timetable for implementation. The timetable sets out a 21-month programme of work which will see the Act come into force from April 2024. We’ve been working with Scottish Government to help develop the statutory guidance that will help support effective implementation of the Act. We’re actively engaging with members to help shape an RCN Scotland response to the Scottish Government’s public consultation on the draft statutory guidance.
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A National Care Service for Scotland

Find out more about the review looking at the long-term future of adult social care in Scotland, what we've been doing so far and how you can get involved.

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Social Care

RCN Nursing Workforce Standards

The RCN's Nursing Workforce Standards are the first national blueprint for tackling the nursing staff shortage levels across the UK. They set the standard for excellent patient care and nursing support in all settings, and all UK countries.
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A blue background with white text that reads: "Nursing workforce standards: supporting a safe and effective nursing workforce."

What is community nursing in Scotland?

Watch our short film which provides a snapshot of what community nursing is in Scotland – where you’ll find the teams; who they care for; and a few facts and figures.

Watch now
Community nurse at work

Page last updated - 20/05/2025

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