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We Care

Valuing our health care support workers

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HCAs, APs, NAs and TNAs

Find out what the RCN can offer you if you are working in the nursing team.

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Welcome to the RCN Scotland We Care page, specifically for nursing support workers (NSWs). Our We Care campaign shines a light on the outstanding contribution of NSWs. 

In the RCN, we use the term NSW to describe all health care support workers, care assistants, health care assistants and many others working in similar roles in nursing and social care.

The RCN is committed to demonstrating the value that NSWs bring and ensuring that they are adequately supported. On this page, you will find detail of the resources and support we offer NSWs and what we mean when we say 'We Care'.



Spotlight on nursing support workers

RCN Scotland have launched a special podcast episode focussing on NSW’s and this features real life experiences showing the contribution of NSWs in health & social care. The guests and stories are set in Scotland but will be of interest to all NSWs and those who work closely with NSWs. Listen below or download it on Spotify, Apple Itunes and other major podcast platforms by searching for RCN Scotland. 

We Care education events

We offer a range of education events in workplaces and online, specifically for nursing support workers in Scotland. To see what’s upcoming, visit out events pages.

NSW Facebook group

Join our Facebook group for NSW members working in Scotland.

Here you can share ideas with other NSWs and stay up to date with new RCN Scotland developments. Visit facebook to request to join.

RCN Library

Did you know the RCN Library has lots of books, journals and other resources specifically for NSWs? Our Information Specialists are on hand to help you find good quality information to support your practice. They can also run training sessions to help equip you with the skills to effectively search for online information.

Bespoke learning

We welcome requests from workplaces to deliver bespoke learning sessions for staff. Topics offered include accountability and delegation, record keeping, social media, dignity and dementia. Currently these are being held online due to COVID restrictions.

You can contact us on LDScotEvents@rcn.org.uk to discuss your requirements. 

RCN First Steps

RCN First Steps is an online learning resource which supports the relevant codes that NSWs work to. It’s been created for NSWs and covers a wide range of topics including; the role of NSW and boundaries, person centred care, safeguarding, communication, record keeping, equality and diversity, infection prevention and continuing professional development. 
Find out more
First steps
There’s lots of other UK resources to support NSWs learning and development on our learning resources page.

Our We Care campaign

In 2018, RCN Scotland launched the We Care campaign. This was designed to shine a light on the contribution that NSWs make in nursing. As part of this campaign, we created some videos showcasing the work that NSWs do.

Valuing our health care support workers


The RCN interviewed health care support workers working in different settings across Scotland to find out what they do and just why they find their role so rewarding.

Hear health care support workers describe in their own words just what it means to them to make such a valuable contribution to health and social care in Scotland's communities.

Nursing beyond nurses


The delivery of health care across Scotland is changing.

More care is being provided outside of hospitals, to be delivered in people's homes or as close to their home as possible.

Health care support workers play a pivotal role in delivering this vision - find out more in this short film celebrating the role of HCWSs.

Since then, our We Care brand and approach to supporting NSW members has been embedded in the work of RCN Scotland. Across the pandemic, NSWs have continued to demonstrate that they are at the forefront of patient care and we are committed supporting NSW and ensuring your role is recognised.

We are dedicated to supporting NSWs learning and development and have delivered a range of face to face and online resources under the We Care branding. We are always looking for new ways to support you and welcome any feedback you have. Please contact our HCSW Development Officer Jennifer Underwood-Mackie in the first instance to discuss this. 

Page last updated - 20/03/2024

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