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Policy papers and briefings

Together with our members, we work to put nursing at the top of the agenda for the Welsh government and Welsh Parliament.

We don't back any one political party. Instead, we work with all political parties and elected representatives. Our goal is to make sure our members' voice is heard by decision makers to get the best outcomes for the nursing profession and for patients.

Regularly updated publications

We publish Nursing in Numbers every year, and Progress and Challenge every other year. Together, they're a comprehensive guide to the nursing workforce in Wales.

Nursing in Numbers 2023

The latest in a yearly series, our flagship statistical report finds NHS registered nurse vacancies now sit at 2,717, up from 1,719 in 2021.

Read it now in Welsh or English.

Progress and Challenge in Delivering Safe and Effective Care 2023

How have health boards implemented the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016? Also available in Welsh here, this major new report updates:

Recent reports

June 2023: Caring for older people

Two-thirds of RCN Wales work in the community, many in care homes. Discover how we can make sure people in care homes continue to get the safe and effective care they need. Read the executive summary in Welsh or click here for the full report.

A thumbnail image showing the front cover of the RCN Wales report "Mental Health Nursing: A profession that must be valued" in Welsh and English.

Mental Health Nursing

A lack of investment in inpatient services in Wales has contributed to inequalities in mental health services. What should the Welsh government do? Read our report in English or read the summary in Welsh.

Agency Nursing

Why has agency nursing become such a popular alternative to being directly employed by the NHS? We look at what needs to change to make working for the NHS attractive again.

Nursing in Numbers

The latest in a yearly series, our flagship statistical report finds NHS registered nurse vacancies have risen to at least 3,000 - a rise of over 1,200. Read in Welsh or English.

July 2022: Retaining Nurses in the Profession

Is there a case for a national nurse retention strategy in Wales? This report examines what successful approaches to nurse retention around the UK have in common.

April 2022: Learning Disablity Nursing

What is learning disability nursing? Why is there a shortage of specialist and consultant nurses in such an important field? And what can the Welsh government do about it? Read the report, or its summary in either Welsh or English.

Nursing in care homes: celebrating a vital, rewarding career

Two-thirds of RCN Wales work in the community - many in care homes. Read our new report to discover the incredible work they do, and find out what needs to happen to continue delivering safe and effective care for residents into the future.

Previous publications

If what you're looking for isn't here, you can also search the central RCN publications catalogue.

Ward manager project: The importance of being supernumerary (Click here)

Open the Window: Hospital ventilation  (Welsh / English)

Infection Prevention and Control Nursing (Welsh / English)

Community Nursing Teams (Welsh / English)

Nursing in Numbers 2021 (Welsh / English)

Care Homes (Welsh / English

2020 Member survey report (Welsh / English)

Safe Nurse Staffing Levels Coalition joint letter (Welsh / English)

Nursing in Numbers 2020 (Welsh / English)

Vote for Nursing ⁠— RCN Wales 2021 Senedd election manifesto (Welsh / English)

Resources

Our campaigning work has resulted in real change to the lives of nursing staff across  Wales and their patients. We couldn't do it without our members who've campainged hard and added their voice. Together, we make change happen.

Check out all our campaigning resources on here!

Page last updated - 07/03/2024