As we navigate the devastating COVID-19 pandemic those of you who work in care homes will be concerned for your residents, their families,  your colleagues and your own family.

This event is an opportunity to come together and share good practice and advice, discuss the issues you have been experiencing, and explore what local support you need from us.

The RCN can offer care home nursing staff support and resources through this challenging time and we are keen to hear how you would like us to support you.                                                                                             
Event information and booking.

Join the RCN

If you are part of the nursing workforce and aren’t already a member you can read more about the benefits of joining on our membership page, including:

• advice – our confidential advice service is there to help you with workplace issues, your career, welfare rights and more.
• workplace support - you’ll never be alone: we have reps across the UK, in all sectors, to support you if you need advice or help at work.
• learning resources - access to online learning resources, First Steps, local learning events and Europe’s largest nursing library. 
• legal support - enjoy peace of mind with access to the largest legal team of any nursing union in the UK. We're there for you. 

Clinical resources

We have clinical resources to support your work such as:

• RCN dementia webpages 

• RCN end of life care webpages. 

First Steps for Health Care Assistants 

The Royal College of Nursing brings you First Steps for Health Care Assistants to support you either individually or as part of your workplace induction programme, to learn in your own time the most important factors to get you started in your health care career. First Steps has been developed around the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework and codes and standards for each of the UK countries. First Steps maps to a range of National Occupational Standards that can be printed off in the form of an assessment checklist that could form the basis of a portfolio of learning. You can use it to build up into a portfolio of learning.  

Networking 

 We also have networks to support you in your work including: 

• Care home network 
• Pain and Palliative Care Forum
• Older People's Forum 

Care home journey 

This resource allows you to follow a resident’s care home journey through from pre-admission to end of life, or to simply access individual sections to meet your learning needs and seek clinical inspiration. 

Care homes resource subject guide

Use this guide to find information resources about care homes, nursing homes and residential care for older people including books, reports and journal articles. 

COVID-19 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have produced guides to support our members through the changing health landscape. 

On our COVID-19 webpages you will find clinical guidance, personal and wellbeing support, employment guidance and information.

Publications and posters 

RCN publications cover a wide range of topics varying from clinical guidance to employment relations issues to advice on bullying.

These publications might be of interest for you: 

• Mouth Care at the End of Life
• Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff
• Bowel Care - Management of Lower Bowel Dysfunction, including Digital Rectal Examination and Digital Removal of Faeces
• Catheter Care - RCN Guidance for Health Care Professionals 

We also produce a range of posters including:

• Are you hydrated?
• Glove awareness
• Beat the flu
• Signs of work-related dermatitis
• The principles of nursing practice. 

Articles

The RCN Magazines team has recently produced a fantastic series of articles themed around care home nursing. 

• Inside care homes: keeping COVID out
• Inside care homes: learning from COVID
• Inside care homes: the agency perspective
• Inside care homes: testing times.