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
Read our latest responses:
- MSP briefing Scottish Labour Debate: Addressing Scotland’s Medical and Nursing Workforce Crisis
- MSP briefing Scottish government debate: A Migration System that Works for Scotland
- The Nursing Workforce in Scotland
- RCN Scotland member briefing Influencing for positive change
- PARLIAMENTARY: Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
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.
Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce
Find out more about how the Taskforce will work, the scope of its work and what the RCN expects
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.
Download our briefing
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.
Safe staffing in Scotland
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.
RCN Nursing Workforce Standards
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.
Page last updated - 24/06/2025
