A defining moment for nursing

Earlier this year, nursing was confirmed to be the most trusted profession amongst the British public.  

Despite this, the image that exists in the public consciousness of nurses, health care assistants and other nursing professionals bears little resemblance to the realities of modern nursing. 

As a College, we are incredibly proud of our 107-year history and of all of the inspiring nursing pioneers who came before us. But as many of you who are reading this will know, the nursing profession has changed significantly over the years - it is vital that this is recognised. 

During my own 34 years as a registered nurse, the role has evolved, developed and become increasingly complex. Nursing staff now take on more responsibilities than at any point in the profession’s history.  

In spite of this, nursing remains a chronically undervalued profession.  

One can’t help but wonder if the fact that we are a female-dominated profession is the reason that nursing pay consistently falls behind not only other health professionals, but public sector workers more broadly. 

It has been over twenty years since the RCN last published a definition of nursing, so the time has come to revise this with one which encompasses the many facets of nursing today and raises the profile and value of the work that we do. 

Our new definition was developed by the RCN Professional Nursing Committee in collaboration with RCN members, fellows and professional forums to encompass all aspects of modern nursing and the work that we do. 

You can use the definition to help patients, families and colleagues understand what they can expect from nursing professionals and identify areas within your organisation where you think that this is not being recognised. 

As well as highly skilled clinical practitioners, registered nurses are dynamic leaders and strategic decision makers. We use clinical judgement and problem-solving skills to manage and co-ordinate the complexity of health and social care. 

These are the messages that we must make clear, not only to the public, but in the halls of government too. We’ve been taking action across the UK this week to ensure that elected officials are listening. 

On Wednesday, the RCN submitted evidence in a preliminary hearing for Module 3 of the COVID-19 Inquiry. This module examines the impact of the pandemic on health care systems in the four nations of the UK. We’re asking for long COVID to be recognised in disability law and for health care workers with ongoing health issues to be properly compensated.

In Scotland, members working in community nursing and care homes met with Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, to discuss the Scottish government’s plans for a National Care Service. During the roundtable, members emphasised the key role of nursing staff in meeting increasingly complex health care needs within care homes and the community. They also discussed the impact of recruitment and retention challenges and the urgent need for safe staffing within care homes and the community. 

In Northern Ireland, we’ve launched a public action to encourage people to email their MLAs to demand pay parity for nursing staff with the rest of the UK and highlight the impact that the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive is having on health and social care.  

This week in Wales we released a new workforce report which highlights the 2,727 registered nurse vacancies currently in the country and the increased cost in agency nursing fees. The report shows nursing staff are working 69,877 additional hours every week which is the equivalent of an extra 1,863 full-time posts.   

This week I’ve been speaking to both the Institute of International and European Affairs and the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations. I used these platforms as an opportunity to highlight the current issues facing our profession around workforce planning, safe staffing and international recruitment, and to ensure that these matters are kept high on the political agenda. 

Speaking of which, party conference season is now upon us, and I am delighted that the RCN will be attending all three of the main political parties’ conferences. While there, we will inform the parties of the RCN’s policy priorities. With a general election likely in the next 12 months, they are a key influencing opportunity for the College. 

At the weekend I will be travelling to Manchester, alongside RCN Deputy President, Tracey Budding, to attend the Conservative Party conference. I’ll be representing the RCN at a joint panel event with the thinktank Demos, on the future of the health and care workforce and I look forward to meeting with other health and care stakeholders.  

You too can join in these important conversations by actively participating in RCN Congress 2024. Applications are now open to become a voting member and represent your peers, and you can also shape the agenda itself by submitting an item for debate.  

Rest assured, we will be taking every opportunity at all these events over the next few weeks and months to stress the urgent need for action on pay and safe staffing.  

We will ensure that politicians from across the political spectrum understand what nursing is, the vital role that nursing staff play and the direct consequences for the future of health and care in the UK if nursing fails to get the recognition required to recruit and retain nursing staff to the profession.