Car parking at the hotel is free to all those attending the conference. Please make sure you type in your vehicle’s registration at the various screens in the hotel to register your car. Ask a member of staff if you need assistance.

All delegates will be able to access their room keys upon conclusion of the day 1 programme from the registration desk on the ground floor.  You will not be able to check in prior to this, so please don’t attempt to check in at the reception of the hotel. The conference chair will provide instruction on the day.

Bag drop

Due to limited storage space at the hotel, we kindly ask that if you are driving you leave your luggage in your car until check in at 5pm on 12 November.  If you are arriving using other methods of transport, the hotel reception will advise where you should leave your luggage (either behind reception or in the bar area of the Pentland Suite). 

If you have not already done so prior to the conference, please notify staff at the registration desk if you have any specific requirements and we will do our best to accommodate you (for example - dietary, accessibility etc.)

For any delegates who may wish to access a quiet space, we have provided a space for you to take some time out. Please ask at reception desk, where staff will direct you to the room. This room is available for the purpose of supporting wellbeing only and should not be used to conduct any RCN or substantive employer work.

The RCN believes in lifelong learning and actively promotes continuous learning and development for all nursing staff, nursing support workers and nursing students both for those in membership and in the wider nursing spectrum. 

The NMC revalidation process requires registered nurses to complete a minimum of 35 hours of CPD, 20 of which must be participatory learning. For the purposes of NMC revalidation, attendance at the conference counts as participatory learning. 

For your CPD hours:

• The whole conference would be equivalent to 10h45m of participatory CPD
• Only attending day 1 would be equivalent to 5h15m of CPD
• Only attending day 2 would be equivalent to 5h30m of CPD

http://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/revalidation/how-to-revalidate/

Authorised RCN event certificates of attendance will be issued to all participants. You should log what you have learned at this event and keep this record and your certificate of attendance as part of your professional portfolio.  

For those participants who are only attending day 1, please note: certificates will be available from the registration desk at the end of day 1 for single day delegates, and on conclusion of the conference on day 2 for all other attendees (day 2 or whole conference attendees).

RCN Library and Information Services put you in control of your own learning. Via the RCN website or by getting in touch with our expert staff at the RCN Scotland Learning Hub in Edinburgh, you can find the information most relevant to your learning needs – whether it is finishing your latest assignment or finding the most up-to-date evidence on clinical practice. We also offer an outward-facing service to RCN members across Scotland and bring library and information services to workplaces, universities and events. If you and your colleagues would like to arrange a workplace training session or find out more about our outreach service, then please get in touch.

Email: scotland.library@rcn.org.uk

Tel: 0131 662 6163/4

Follow us on social media @RCNLibraries

https://www.rcn.org.uk/library

Please note there are some differences in the format of the training, we are offering a residential  training for Stewards only - this will be over 4 consecutive days. This is in addition to the usual online blended learning that includes the 3 group learning sessions over the course of 10 weeks. 
 
If a rep training to be a steward attends the 4 days residential training, they do not need to book on to the blended learning on line group session, it is one or the other. 

Purpose of the Session:

In your activist role you represent, engage, promote and speak up for RCN members regularly. Join Colin to reflect how together we have sought opportunity for RCN members to bring solutions to the wide-ranging challenges facing the profession. Colin will focus on the local achievements made in delivery of the RCN’s five-year strategic plan and steps being taken to ensure the RCN makes an impact in2026 impactful.

Aims of the session:

• Develop your understanding of how key elements of the RCN’s five-ear strategic plan influences our strategic direction.
• Show how our strategic direction relates to and influences the day to day working lives of our members. 

Link to RCN's Five Year Strategy:

• 1.3 The RCN successfully influences public policy in matters affecting nursing across all four countries.
• 2.2 The RCN Membership is central to the RCN and trade union activities. 
• 2.3 The RCN has an active and visible representative network and professional forums across all sectors. 
• 3.2 The RCN will transform its ways of working to be an adaptable and proactive organisation.

Link to all Role Descriptors:

• Raise your profile and the profile of the RCN.
• Promote RCN campaigns, access and work within RCN support structures.

Purpose of the session:

In a specially commissioned conference workshop, the social media sensation Ranjit Kirton will take you on a journey. The workshop will consider, in the context of difficult workplace cultures that directly and indirectly harm RCN members, how we can bring new and innovative solutions through your activist role.

Aim(s) of the session:

• Understand the basic science and gain insight into the impact of psychological harm in the workplace, including the behavioural mechanisms and their effects on health, wellbeing, and the impact it has on organisational performance.
• Develop practical skills in micro-coaching and safe challenge techniques to foster psychologically safe member support and address harmful behaviours effectively.
• Support establishment of a reflective and proactive mindset to positively influence cultural change and promote behaviour safety across local member teams and in your organisation.

Link to RCN’s five-year strategic plan:

• 2.1 The RCN represents the diversity of its membership.

Link to Steward role descriptor:

• Represent individual members through formal processes.
• Work in partnership with the employer and other union colleagues. 
• Support members to influence for change in the workplace.

Link to Learning rep role descriptor:

• Consult/collaborate with the employer to improve learning and training.
• Attend and contribute to workplace committees/groups.

Link to Health and Safety Rep role descriptor

• Represent members with matters of health and safety. 
• Attend and contribute to workplace committees/groups.

Purpose of the Session:

Building on previous success in RCN Scotland conference networking, this Patch focused version will facilitate networking of RCN reps/activists, with the aim of invigorating the vital roles in each Patch.

Aims of the Session:

• Contribute to shaping a shared vision for your respective Patch. 
• Articulate ways to maximise the roles and team working within the local Patch.
• Support an increased appreciation of the skill sets within the Patch team.

Link to RCN’s five-year strategic plan:

• 2.2 The RCN Membership is central to the RCN and trade union activities.
• 2.3 The RCN has and active and visible representative network and professional forums across all sectors.

Link to all Role Descriptors:

• Being a representative of the RCN.
• Access and work within RCN support structures.

Purpose of the Session:

To increase activists awareness of the critical matters and role of evidence, in order to set the context when influencing at a local workplace level.

Aims of the Session:

• Enable delegates to link the strategic context of there member focused concerns at a local/partnership level.
• Actively reflect on the matters which matter most to nursing.

Link to RCN’s five-year strategic plan:

• 1.3 The RCN successfully influences public policy in matters affecting nursing across all four countries.

Link to all Role Descriptors:

• Promote RCN campaigns.
• Access and work within RCN support structures.

Specific Link to Steward role descriptor:

• Support members to influence for change in the workplace.

Purpose of the session:

Moving from conflict to common ground. This session will support you to navigate disputes with greater confidence. It includes practical skills for activists to resolve workplace tensions, protect member interests and build stronger dialogue with management.

Aims of the session:

• That the conflict process can be a healthy step to moving forward in certain circumstances.
• To assist you as activists/union representatives to understand conflict theories.
• To appreciate how different approaches to conflict styles affect outcomes.
• To Integrate knowledge and practice skills in crucial conversations when working with the membership/management and in partnership.

Link to RCN’s five-year strategic plan:

• 1 .1 The RCN is the leading national and an international authority in representing the nursing profession, both in its activities as a Royal College and trade union.
• 2.1 The RCN represents the diversity of its membership.
• 2 .3 The RCN has an active and visible Representatives network and professional forums across all sectors.

Link to all Role Descriptors:

• Raise your profile and the profile of the RCN.
• Support members to influence for change in the workplace.
• Creating and building workplace relationships.

Purpose of the Session:

To raise awareness among activists and key political stakeholders of the role of nursing in supporting early intervention, prevention and tackling health inequalities. Providing activists with an opportunity to directly question and present solutions to key political stakeholders, with a view to influencing the development of party manifestos in advance of the Scottish Parliament election in May 2026.

Aims of the session:  

• Improved understanding of the role of nursing in prevention and early intervention.
• Improved understanding of the current political context and party positions. 
• Recognise the role of the RCN in influencing and shaping political thinking and public policy.
• Raised awareness of the RCN’s campaigning and how to engage. 

Link to RCN’s five-year strategic plan:  

• 1.3 The RCN successfully influences public policy in matters affecting nursing across all four countries of the United Kingdom and internationally.  
• 2.1 The RCN represents the diversity of its membership.  
• 2.2 The RCN membership is central to the Royal College and trade union activities.  
• 4.2 The RCN will have effective and inclusive governance.  

Link to all Reps Descriptors:

• Promote RCN campaigns.  

Link to Steward Role Descriptor:

• Support members to influence for change in the workplace.  

Head of Communications and Public Affairs, RCN Scotland

Carol heads up the communications and public affairs team, which comprises parliamentary and media relations and member communications and positions the RCN as the voice of nursing in Scotland. The team has delivered successful campaigns on safe staffing and fair pay, driving member engagement and highlighting the essential role of nursing across health and social care. An experienced corporate communications professional, Carol has worked across a range of public sector organisations.

Executive Director, RCN Scotland

Colin took up his post of Scotland Director in 2022. A registered nurse for over 30 years, Colin has been a key member of the RCN Scotland team for many years, most notably as a Senior Officer and as Associate Director for Pay, Terms and Conditions. Colin has also worked across the UK and spent time working as an Associate Director in RCN Northern Ireland just before the pandemic as well as operationally leading the RCN UK Pay Programme supporting the RCN’s Fair Pay for Nursing campaign.

Associate Director – Nursing, Policy and Professional Practice, RCN Scotland

Eileen leads the professional arm of the RCN in Scotland, a role which requires and overview of all education, policy, regulatory and professional practice issues which impact on nurses and nursing. This involves extensive influencing and collaborating at a strategic level. Eileen has extensive experience as a senior nurse leader in Scotland working at Associate Nurse Director level in a territorial NHS Board with responsibility for standards of nursing practice across acute and primary care services. Eileen has also worked as a General Manager, managing complexity and leading service development and change and has experience of developing policy within the CNO Directorate of Scottish Government.

Reporter, The Times

Helen Puttick has been covering news in Scotland for 25 years, developing particular expertise in the fields of education, health and social care. She worked as a health specialist for more than a decade and continues to provide well-informed insight and groundbreaking stories in this field. She is sought after as a commentator on health and care issues across Scotland and beyond. Helen has been nominated for four Scottish press awards including Specialist Reporter of the Year. 

Chair, RCN Scotland Board

As a registered nurse for 30 years, Julie has worked in main theatres on qualifying and stayed there for seven years. After this she worked in maternity theatre for 21 years, being the SCN for the past four years. Julie has been an RCN steward for 12 years and a board member for five years and this is her third term as Chair. Despite the challenges she still really enjoys nursing. When not working she enjoys walking, occasionally running and is always working to improve this. She loves spending time with family and friends and going on holiday. To help relax she likes to knit baby hats for her theatre deliveries.

Nurse Director, Public Health Scotland 

Kathryn took up post as the Nurse Director for PHS and Nurse Director for NSS in February 2025. Most recently Kathryn has had a joint role as  Nurse Director in NHS Tayside two days per week and a Professional Adviser in Scottish Government working in the Chief Nursing Officers Directorate as part of the Policy Team leading the Health Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 and Excellence in Care, and supporting the National eRostering implementation, providing professional leadership, advice, and guidance to these ,and other programmes in Government three days a week. The balance of working in government and in board has been positive, enabling shared learning and strengthening connections between policy and healthcare delivery. Prior to joining Scottish government in July 2022 and taking on this join role, Kathryn was the Operational Nurse Director in NHS Tayside.

Professional Lead for Learning and Development, RCN Scotland

Margaux has been a registered nurse for over 35 years.  She is also a registered midwife holding both a Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ) in Child health and a Teacher qualification on the NMC register.  Margaux started work with RCN Scotland in 2020, as a Project Officer supporting safe staffing, then moved on to work as the Professional Lead for Learning and Development along with her job share partner Allan Wallace.  Margaux enjoys her role supporting representatives in their training journey, as well as being involved in professional teaching and development of resources at the RCN.  She has a special interest in negotiation and conflict management and is currently enrolled at Harvard Business School online partnership EdEx programme on Healthcare systems management.

General Secretary and Chief Executive, RCN UK 

Professor Nicola Ranger joined the RCN in December 2022. She was previously Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Midwifery at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London. Before that, she held Chief Nurse posts at both Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. She has also held several senior nursing roles at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Earlier in her career, she worked at America’s George Washington University Hospital in Washington and at Mount Sinai Medical Centre in New York.

Senior Public Affairs Officer, RCN Scotland

Niki is Senior Public Affairs Officer working within RCN Scotland’s communications team. She is responsible for building relationships with MSPs and their teams, briefing MSPs on key issues affecting nursing staff in Scotland, responding to parliamentary inquiries and influencing legislation that impacts Scotland’s nursing workforce and those they care for. Niki will play a key role in the development of our manifesto and campaign ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in 2026. She has been a part of the RCN Scotland team for over five years and previously worked in the Scottish Parliament and for a public affairs consultancy.

The health and wellbeing of the nursing workforce is fundamental to the quality of care they can provide. Our members have the right to a safe, healthy and empowering workplace culture where they are treated fairly with dignity and respect.

RCN health and safety reps understand and champion safe working practice and environments. They help members to understand what they should expect and how to identify where standards fall short, leaving them at risk.

Health and safety reps build strong relationships in their workplace and understand how to influence for change. They connect with members to find out what matters to them and support them to get their issues heard and win changes that make a difference.

Health and safety reps grow the membership and encourage people to be active because they know that power and real change require a strong voice at a local and national level.

Supporting and representing RCN members

• Represent members with matters of health and safety
• Carry out workplace inspections

Improving the working lives of RCN members

• Investigate potential hazards, incidents or complaints
• Make representation to the employer on health and safety matters

Creating and building workplace relationships

• Build workplace relationships and networks
• Attend and contribute to workplace committees/groups

Being a representative of the RCN

• Raise your profile and the profile of the RCN
• Recruit members and reps
• Promote RCN campaigns
• Access and work within RCN support structures

All activity is carried out with support of, and in partnership with, the local RCN officers, the UK Representative Committee lead and community of RCN reps.

Learning and training must be valued and protected to ensure the nursing workforce can deliver high quality care. Our members should expect to have fair and equal access within a positive learning culture which treats them with dignity and respect.

Learning reps provide space for members to think about their current practice and future aspirations and consider what learning they need to reach their goals. Where members are struggling or discouraged, learning reps help them access support and resources to boost their confidence, and challenge systemic barriers that might be getting in their way.

Learning reps build strong relationships in their workplace and understand how to influence for change. They connect with members to find out what matters to them and support them to get their issues heard and win changes that make a difference.

Learning reps grow the membership and encourage people to be active because they know that power and real change require a strong voice at a local and national level.

Supporting and representing RCN members

• Support members and colleagues by providing information and advice about learning and training
• Analyse learning and training needs

Improving the working lives of RCN members

• Work with members and union colleagues to arrange union learning and training events
• Consult/collaborate with the employer to improve learning and training

Creating and building workplace relationships

• Build workplace relationships and networks
• Attend and contribute to workplace committees/groups

Being a representative of the RCN

• Raise your profile and the profile of the RCN
• Recruit members and reps
• Promote RCN campaigns
• Access and work within RCN support structures

All activity is carried out with support of, and in partnership with, the local RCN officers, the UK Representative Committee lead and community of RCN reps.

The skills, knowledge, competence, and responsibilities of the nursing workforce must be recognised and valued through fair pay and terms and conditions. Our members should expect to be treated fairly within a culture of respect and dignity.

When members are facing difficult employment issues, stewards will ensure that they feel empowered to speak up and engage in formal processes. With good representation, members can be confident that they will get the fair hearing they deserve. 

RCN stewards build strong relationships in their workplace and understand how to influence for change. They connect with members to find out what matters to them and support them to get their issues heard and win changes that make a difference.

Stewards keep growing the membership and getting people active because they know that power and real change require a strong voice at a local and national level.

Supporting and representing RCN members

• Represent individual members through formal processes
• Represent members collectively on matters relating to pay and terms and conditions

Improving the working lives of RCN members

• Work in partnership with the employer and other union colleagues
• Support members to influence for change in the workplace

Creating and building workplace relationships

• Build workplace relationships and networks
• Attend and contribute to workplace committees/groups

Being a representative of the RCN

• Raise your profile and the profile of the RCN
• Recruit members and reps
• Promote RCN campaigns
• Access and work within RCN support structures

All activity is carried out with support of, and in partnership with, the local RCN officers, the UK Representative Committee lead and community of RCN reps.

Board members fulfil a vital role in helping the board to achieve its purpose, representing the RCN and its members within the context of wider health and social care developments impacting upon nursing and patient care.

Role summary

Board members act in a governance capacity which, in summary, means they:

• are accountable for the areas set out in the board’s terms of reference
• contribute to strategic thinking and policy development
• act as a critical friend to the RCN, and as an advocate and representative of members in your region or country
• champion and promote the RCN as well as nursing and its contribution to health and wellbeing,  wherever and whenever you can.

The role:

Being an RCN board member provides an invaluable experience with plenty of personal career development opportunities. It also allows RCN members to represent nursing, speak out about the issues that matter, and influence the work of the RCN.

Key responsibilities:

• Advise and support the director and the rest of the board on matters relating to your region or country.
• Support the director to achieve the objectives in the strategic, operational and financial plan.
• Ensure that the priorities set by RCN Council are actioned in your region or country.
• Liaise with, and act as, advocates for members in your region or country and ensure that the board, as well as RCN Council and its committees, are aware of and understand members’ views, ideas and concerns.
• Share your expertise and experience with the RCN and help identify others who may assist the work of the board.
• Represent the views of the RCN and act as an advocate for the RCN’s aims and objectives.
• Foster good relations with, and between, RCN branches, forums, networks, and workplaces.
• Assist the RCN in developing constructive and lasting partnerships with policy and decision makers, other professional bodies, the wider public and the media.
• Influence the development of nursing, health and social care in your region or country in line with RCN strategy and policy.
• Contribute to, or lead on, delegated projects and working groups as necessary.

Board members have:

• A passion for nursing and wanting to make a difference.
• A sound understanding of nursing and health issues within the country or region.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, the RCN, its purpose and its work.
• The ability to listen to, and speak up for, members in the country or region.
• Strategic vision and the ability to focus on practical issues.
• Objectivity, fairness, independence of mind, wisdom, discretion and good judgement.
• Integrity and commitment to act in the best interests of the RCN.
• Awareness of how the world is changing politically, economically and socially.
• The capability to give direct, honest opinions and constructive suggestions.
• A readiness to take and be accountable for decisions.