The Royal College of Nursing is an independent, politically unaffiliated and non-partisan organisation working collaboratively with nursing staff across the world.

We work with nursing staff and patients regardless of where they happen to be in the world, as consistent with the articles of constitution of the RCN and in support of our Royal Charter commitments. We have done this for more than a century.

The RCN works to support nursing associations in many countries of the world. We view the support of these, often female-led nursing associations as an important step in developing stronger civic society organisations and improving the standing and conditions of the nursing profession globally.

We approach these collaborations as equal partnerships recognising that we have much to gain and learn from our colleagues worldwide.

Through our membership of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), as an active partner, we strengthen the voice of global nursing. We can only do this through developing close collaborations with partners across the world which give us insight and learning into the challenges facing nursing globally.

Aligned with this is our work outside of nursing with international bodies including the World Health Organisation and United Nations. This is imperative in advocating for nursing outside of our profession.

We work, always, to improve the outcomes for patients and the nursing profession.  The RCN rigorously monitors the impact of its global work.

Under its Royal Charter, the RCN must advocate for the nursing profession. We have a responsibility to voice criticism of conditions internationally which are in breach of international law or infringe on human rights.

Our work in countries outside the UK does not constitute an endorsement of a particular regime or government.

Through our International Academy and International Committee, we monitor the conditions and behaviour of all relevant actors to ensure that our presence, inadvertently or otherwise, cannot be used to add any credibility to practices detrimental to nursing staff and the interests of patients.

This is an ongoing process, under constant evaluation, to ensure that the RCN safely maximises the global role it must play and its impact on the nursing profession, and patients.