RCN Education Forum National Conference and Exhibition 2025
Advancing the nursing workforce through inclusive education and practice
31 Mar 2025 - 01 Apr
Choose event information:
Get prepared. Get inspired. Call for papers 2025 is now open!
The RCN Education Forum conference 2025 will showcase and celebrate the value of inclusive educational practice that creates a skilled, professional health and social care workforce from Nursing Support Worker to Advanced Practitioners.
Based on this premise, the conference aims to promote innovative teaching practices and evidence-based research. It seeks to instill a commitment to life-long learning, encourage new and effective ways of working, provide strategies to build resilience, all of which positively impact working conditions and patient outcomes.
Please note, this is an in-person conference, there is no hybrid element. All presenters must register to attend the conference in person to present.
Abstract Topics and Descriptors
Abstracts are invited around the following four topic areas:
New approaches in preregistration nurse and nursing associate education
Submissions in this area will be concerned with initiatives which underpin a nurturing education environment that develops student professional practice across apprenticeship, undergraduate and postgraduate provision. Examples may include initiatives focusing on building student communities of practice, innovative pedagogical approaches to learning, teaching and assessment, facilitating success, reducing attrition, addressing the student learning experience and the diverse needs of the student population. Innovations which have been co-produced with students would be particularly welcome in this area.
Sustaining and developing the nursing workforce – from support workers to advanced practitioners
Submissions in this area will be concerned with innovations that focus on the current workforce in health and social care settings. Examples could include education partnerships to support staff development and career pathways from support workers to advanced practitioner and nurse consultants, creative approaches to lifelong learning and continuing professional development, and evolving education models which address staff well-being and recruitment and retention.
Innovations in inclusive education
Within this theme, we would include submissions that demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion within nurse education and acknowledge the need to embrace a workforce that is representative of the diversity found in the communities that we serve. We know that a diverse and inclusive workforce can help us to develop new ways of thinking leading to improvement and innovation in the way we work. We would particularly welcome submissions around supporting international nurses, neurodiversity and widening participation in nurse education.
The use of technology in nurse education
Education and leadership are essential for driving and shaping technological transformation across health and social care. Abstracts within this theme will focus on the use of technological advances to enhance nurse education, patient care and safety, and professional practice. Submissions may include the use of technology-enhanced learning, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality and simulation in nurse education. We would also welcome submissions that explore approaches to enhancing digital literacy and technological confidence amongst learners.
Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC)
Strathclyde University
99 George Street
Glasgow
G1 1RD
Reception Tel: +44 (0) 141 444 7000 Website: Strathclyde University TIC website
The Technology and Innovation Centre is one of a new generation of university based, dedicated conference facilities. Award winning, the building reflects Strathclyde’s national position within the fields of advancing technology and innovation – an appropriate host for the 2025 RCN Education conference which features AI in nursing education, inclusivity and innovation in continuing professional development.
Accommodation
The centre of Glasgow is easy to navigate on foot and has a wide range of hotel accommodation within walking distance of the venue. The RCN will be collaborating with Visit Glasgow to obtain preferential rates at nearby hotels. The website link will be available from October 2025.
To discover what to see and do please visit: Visit Glasgow - Culture, Shopping, Food, Events & More - Visit Glasgow
Getting to the venue
By Train
The closest railway stations are:
National Rail Services
- Queen Street (0.4 miles)
- Glasgow Central (0.9 miles)
Local Services
- High Street (0.1 miles)
- Queen Street (0.4 miles)
- Argyle Street (0.6 miles)
- Glasgow Central (0.9 miles)
- Buchanan Street Underground is an 8-minute walk
Bus
- Buchanan Bus Station is 0.6 miles away, with frequent services to Glasgow International Airport.
- A direct bus connection to Glasgow International Airport is also available from North Hanover St, outside Queen St Station, every 15 minutes. This is about an 8-minute walk away from the TIC and the single fare is approximately £10.00. Depending on traffic, the journey time is around 20 to 30 minutes.
Local Airport
The nearest major airport is Glasgow International Airport.
By Car
Low Emission Zone
From 1 June 2023, a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into force in Glasgow. All vehicles entering the city centre zone area must meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge. There are some exemptions. Please visit Glasgow City Council’s webpage for full details.
Sat Nav: G1 1RD (Main entrance, Technology & Innovation Centre)
Local Car Parks and discount availability
- Discounted parking is available nearby – the 24hr Duke Street Car Park, G4 0UW (0.3 miles) currently offers an all-day special rate at £6.00 or you can validate your ticket at TIC Reception for the capped rate of £6.00 per day
- Download the ParkPass app for discounted parking at 24hr NCP Montrose Street, G1 1RS (0.2 miles). Register with the code L6PN4FX. Scan the QR code with the app on entry to the car park rather than taking a ticket to receive your discount - visit NCP George Street for prices via the ParkPass app.
- Discounted parking is available at Q-Park Candleriggs, G1 1LH (0.4 miles), if pre-booked online. Please enter code TICUOS20 to receive a 20% discount at point of booking. The car park is open 07:00-00:00, Monday to Sunday.
- The most suitable car park for those with accessibility needs is the 24hr Duke Street Car Park.
- Electric vehicle charging points are available at 24hr Duke Street Car Park and Q-Park Candleriggs.
- Blue badge holders may park free of charge at on-street parking meters and on-street pay and display areas – please visit Glasgow City Council’s website for more information.
Please note this Information is currently being updated. Prices quoted correct at June 2023.
Abstract submission is now open.
Key diary dates:
|
From Wednesday 24 July 2024 |
Call for abstracts open |
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Sunday 20 October 2024: Midnight |
Call for abstracts close |
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Wednesday 25 October 2024 |
Abstracts available to the Scientific committee for review and score online |
|
Week commencing 25 November 2024 |
Submitters will be notified via the online abstract management system of the outcome of the review. Programme published |
|
Monday 3 February 2025 |
Deadline for registering at the discounted presenter rate. |
Criteria for abstract selection
View the abstract criteria and hints and tips.
View conference terms and conditions.
We strongly recommend that you invite a colleague to peer review your abstract against these criteria before it is submitted.
All abstracts must be submitted online through the Abstract Management System (AMS) which can be found here.
Once you have submitted your abstract, you will receive an email to confirm receipt. If you do not receive this confirmation within 12 hours of submission, please email education@rcn.org.uk to check that the submission has been received.
Types of conference presentation:
1. Concurrent paper
A concurrent paper is presented orally. The presenter is allocated a maximum of 20 minutes to present their paper followed by 5 minutes for discussion.
2. Poster presentation
Posters are visual displays of material and are particularly suited to the presentation of factual data such as project design or findings.
Posters are exhibited for one full day of the conference. We ask that poster presenters are available on the day of presentation during the lunch break (time to be confirmed) to engage informally with delegates. Delegates will also be encouraged to use the conference app to network with presenters during the event.
Poster submissions should be text only and not include graphs or diagrams.
3. Visual Presentation with Expert Review (ViPER)
A ViPER is an oral poster presentation with a maximum of 3 PowerPoint slides to support, for example to show overarching findings/conclusions, reference points or provide context.
ViPER’s will be presented in a breakout room within the concurrent programme and a poster board supplied. The presenter is allocated a maximum of 10 minutes to present their poster. An expert in the field responds (max. 5 minutes) and then facilitates a discussion (up to 10 minutes).
4. Symposium
A symposium is a presentation of between three and five papers with a shared focus. Depending on the number of papers, the duration of a symposium will range from 60 to 90 minutes. Each presenter is allocated a maximum of 20 minutes to present their paper. Discussion may be after each paper (maximum 5 minutes) or at the end of the symposium.
Who can present?
We welcome submissions from health care educators working in academic, clinical and professional settings, from Internationally Educated Nurses and from health care educators working outside of the UK
Whether you are a first time or experienced presenter working in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors, universities and colleges, if you are passionate about creating inclusive educational practice and want to contribute to nursing education from support workers to advanced practitioner to nurse consultants, we want to hear from you!
Benefits of presenting
The ‘opportunity to present' is frequently cited as a key motivator to participate. With a friendly and encouraging audience of peers, the benefits for presenters are:
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a platform to showcase your work and your employer on a national level
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having your research and innovation recognised by peers, receiving constructive review and encouragement
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being able to demonstrate initiative and commitment to the future of inclusive nurse education
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the opportunity to build networks and alliances, expanding your knowledge and promoting your work within the UK and beyond
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debating and sharing the current challenges at the heart of nursing education
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personal development that will improve your communication and networking skills..
Accreditation
With the quality assurance provided by the RCN’s Accreditation of the event, you can be confident that papers are reviewed with rigour and the programme designed to create a high-quality forum in which to reflect on current work, participate in networking events and learn about innovation in nursing education.
Are some work environments more aligned to the conference content?
No, the committee encourages submissions from educators and students in all work settings and at different stages of their careers. Whether you are a student, a Nursing Support Worker, Advanced Practitioner or Internationally Educated Nurse we need your input. The RCN Education Forum committee is dedicated to providing an inclusive, quality assured programme that meets delegates needs whether within the NHS, public, independent and voluntary sectors, university and college settings.
Non-presenting delegates add to the depth and range of shared experiences and learning.
By participating in this conference, delegates will be able to:
- reflect on the findings and evidence provided by peers and explore how this can be used to improve their own and their employers provision of inclusive nursing education
- apply an understanding of the value of learner and educator partnerships to professional practice and consider ways of tackling the reluctant learner
- demystify the latest technological developments in the field of nursing education
- discuss leadership to support quality improvement and innovation in contemporary nursing education practice
- learn about current research projects and initiatives being deployed within the field of nursing education
- maintain an appetite for the personal benefits of CPD as life-long learning whilst expanding networks and showcasing the work of their employer
- engage with the RCN Education Forum and leading educators to ask the questions you want answers to within a changing political landscape.
The RCN Education National Conference and Exhibition is a flagship event valued by delegates and with a strong reputation for delivery. It provides an unrivalled opportunity for you to connect directly with nurse educators at all levels across the UK and beyond, in the NHS, public or independent and voluntary sectors, universities and colleges.
There are a number of ways you can get involved, from networking to raise your profile to tailored commercial packages to help achieve specific objectives. Please contact the exhibitions team on 02076473959 or email exhibitions@rcn.org.uk.
Note: Registration is not open yet. If you have any queries regarding the conference or call for abstract process, please contact the Events Team via:
Email: education@rcn.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7647 3577
If your query relates to registering for the conference or an existing registration, please contact the Events Registration Team (available Mon-Fri 9am – 4.30pm:
Email: eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
Tel: Tel:+44 (0)29 2054 6460
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Page last updated - 30/08/2024
