Publications
RCN publications cover a wide range of topics varying from clinical guidance to employment relations issues to advice on bullying. To reproduce RCN publications please complete the copyright request form and we’ll be in touch.
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23 Jan 2026
RCN Institute: Highlights and achievements of 2025
Publication Code : 012 373The RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence was established to bring together evidence, expertise and community in a way that enables the profession to tackle its most complex issues. This report offers a snapshot of what has been achieved in our first full year.
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22 Jan 2026
RCN Register of Interests
The purpose of this register is for members of RCN Council, Committees, Boards, external advisers and senior RCN staff to declare their interests outside of the RCN. We do this because they have a duty to act impartially and objectively, and to take steps to avoid any conflict of interest arising as a result of their membership of, or association with, other organisations or individuals.
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21 Jan 2026
Traction Principles and Application
Publication Code : 012 292The use of apparatus to apply traction to injured limbs has played an important role in the treatment of patients with fractures for centuries. This updated guidance provides information on applying traction and caring for patients safely whilst traction remains in place. It also reflects the variation in the application of traction across the UK.
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15 Jan 2026
What should the next Welsh Government do?
Publication Code : 012 364In May 2026, Wales will elect a new Welsh Government under a new electoral system. Ahead of the election, this survey of 1,156 RCN Wales members is a unique view of health and social care across Wales. Nursing staff are the backbone of patient care and the largest health workforce. Many are members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ. This survey asks one key question: What does nursing need from the next Welsh Government?
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6 Jan 2026
Menopause and Long COVID
Publication Code : 012 346Women are disproportionately affected by Long COVID, and as the peak incidence occurs between the ages of 35-49, there may be overlap with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. This guidance, based on available evidence and clinical expertise, aims to outline principles of assessment, diagnosis, management and support to facilitate self-help and recovery.
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17 Dec 2025
Left Behind: a review of evidence on the career progression of NHS nurses
Publication Code : 012 359There are many important dimensions to career progression, including specialisation, leadership and management, education responsibilities, and policy and advocacy roles. This report on the career progression of nurses specifically focuses on progression within the Agenda for Change banding structures within the NHS, across the UK.
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9 Dec 2025
Nursing in Numbers 2025 (Welsh language version)
Publication Code : 012 370Your one-stop guide to the size, strengths and vulnerabilities of the nursing workforce in Wales. Keep it to hand for up-to-date information on nursing in the Welsh NHS and independent sector – and what the Welsh government needs to do to keep patients safe into the future. This is the Welsh-language version of this report. There is also a version in English under publication code 012 369.
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9 Dec 2025
Nursing in Numbers 2025
Publication Code : 012 369Your one-stop guide to the size, strengths and vulnerabilities of the nursing workforce in Wales. Keep it to hand for up-to-date information on nursing in the Welsh NHS and independent sector – and what the Welsh government needs to do to keep patients safe into the future. This is the English-language version of this report. There is also a version in Welsh under publication code 012 370.
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5 Dec 2025
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Toolkit in Action - Delivering safe and effective care:
Publication Code : 012 214Our members continually raise concerns about the challenges they encounter accessing continuous professional development (CPD) and lifelong learning opportunities. As the workforce crisis has grown across the UK, a lack of employer support and increasing staffing pressures have left nursing staff finding it a challenge to get both approval to take paid time for CPD and the funding needed to pay for it. This toolkit, aimed at employers whatever the setting, gives the background, evidence and rationale for the provision of contractual, fully funded CPD to ensure the delivery of safe and effective care, and supports the accompanying CPD toolkit in action which is aimed at RCN staff and reps (012 215).
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5 Dec 2025
Catheter Care
Publication Code : 010 988Continence is one of the fundamentals of nursing care and maintaining continence can significantly increase a patient’s quality of life. This update reflects NMC guidance around the standards that nurses must maintain throughout their careers to keep their knowledge and skills up to date, and includes a list of abbreviations, a glossary and an easy to access list of Skills for Health standards.
