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RCN History

Our history

From 1916 to the present

Since 1916, we’ve been supporting nursing staff and promoting the vital importance of their work. 

We began as the College of Nursing, a professional organisation with just 34 members. Since then, we've evolved into the largest professional association and union for nursing staff in the world with over half a million members.

Important dates in RCN history

1916

We’re founded as the College of Nursing Ltd on 27 March 1916 with just 34 members. By the end of our first year, we’ve grown to 2,553 members.

1919

Following a pioneering campaign of ours, the Nurses' Act is passed, establishing a register for nurses for the first time. The public can now be confident that their newly registered nurses are trained to a professional standard.

1920

Our College of Nursing badge is introduced. The design, following in a tradition of nursing badges, features the initials 'C' and 'N' interlocked on a blue background. Symbols represent the four nations of the United Kingdom.

1925

Rules stipulate that membership should comprise 55% nurses, 35% women professionals and 10% 'suitable' women.

1926

Queen Mary, wife of King George V, becomes our official patron. She has a keen interest in nursing. Until her death in 1953, she continues to be a great supporter of our work and a regular visitor to our Cavendish Square HQ.

1928

We’re granted our Royal Charter in June 1928. Because of opposition to our application from other nursing organisations, we’re not allowed to use 'Royal' in our title until 1939.

1939

George VI grants us the title 'Royal'. We now have 30,000 members and play a vital role in ensuring the supply of nurses through the World War Two Emergency Committee.

1944

Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) accepts the position of President of the Student Nurses' Association.

1946

We’re granted our coat of arms, recognising our role during the war. We’re the first women's organisation to be allowed to use a shield, which represents military service. The motto ‘tradimus lampada’ means 'we carry the torch'.

1953

Queen Mary passes away, having served as our patron for over 30 years. Queen Elizabeth II agrees to become our new patron, supporting our work until her death in 2022.

1960

We open our membership to all registered nurses, including men.

1962

We launch our first public pay campaign, following a fall in nurses' wages to 60% of the national average salary and a freeze on public sector salaries. The campaign is focused on writing letters to MPs.

1963

We join the National Council of Nurses to become the Royal College of Nursing and the National Council of Nurses of the UK (RCN). Our International Department is established.

1968

We open our membership to nursing students, allowing them to become full members for the first time as part of the Student Nurses' Section. Princess Margaret, patron of the Student Nurses' Association, becomes our joint patron.

1969

The first meeting of our annual Congress and Exhibition takes place in Harrogate. The event combines the separate meetings of our specialist nursing sections, Council and representative body.

1969

We establish our Welfare Advisory Service and launch our Raise the Roof campaign to increase nurses' pay.

1976

We register as a trade union.

1984

Our 'linked hands' logo is introduced. The logo is designed by David Hillman, who had designed the influential lifestyle magazine Nova in the 1960s and also worked on a new title design for the Nursing Times.

1986

We establish our archive, with an archivist appointed to safeguard and provide access to institutional records and objects given to the College.

1987

We offer our first degrees through the RCN Institute for Advanced Nursing Education. The initial educational programmes are validated by the University of London and later by the University of Manchester.

1992

Nurse prescribing becomes law following our successful campaign.

1995

We change our rules to allow industrial action.

1998

We launch RCN Direct on 1 March 1998. Running from a call centre on the outskirts of Cardiff, the service takes 2,000 calls in its first week alone.

2001

We welcome Health Care Assistants (HCAs) with higher level vocational qualifications into associate membership, following a vote by members in 2000. In the 1990s, research found that HCAs were contributing to a higher standard of care and greater patient satisfaction.

2009

We cease to be a charity, with the independent RCN Foundation charity being set up to support nursing and improve the health and wellbeing of the public. The Frontline First campaign is launched to highlight cuts to nursing posts.

2011

We admit Health Care Assistants (HCAs) into full membership following a vote at the Annual General Meeting, with 81% of members voting in favour. HCAs gain full voting rights in elections and two extra seats are created on Council to represent them.

2016

We celebrate our centenary as the voice of nursing.

2017

We launch our Scrap the Cap campaign, with the government lifting the 1% cap on public sector spending.

2018

We launch our Ask for More campaign in Scotland.

2019

We launch our Staffing for Safe and Effective Care and Fund Our Future campaigns.

The Scottish government pass the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill. This is the first legislation in the UK to set out requirements for safe staffing across both health and social care services.

Strike action for fair pay and safe staffing takes place in Northern Ireland.

2020

We launch our Fair Pay For Nursing campaign.

We support and campaign for our members throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

The Fair Pay For Nursing campaign continues with consultative and indicative ballots conducted on pay awards in England, Wales and Scotland.

In Wales, we launch our For the Full Team public campaign on safe staffing levels.

We launch our Nursing Workforce Standards. These are the first standards of their kind in the UK to be written by nursing professionals, for nursing professionals.

We continue campaigning for Staffing for Safe and Effective Care. We influence the Health and Care Bill as it moves through Parliament thanks to direct lobbying and member action.