RCN Education Forum Conference 2027
Shaping the Future of Nursing Education: Innovation, Inclusion and Impact
13 Apr 2027 - 14 Apr
Choose event information:
Shaping the Future of Nursing Education: Innovation, Inclusion and Impact
The RCN Education Conference 2027 will bring together nurse educators, researchers, practitioners, students and leaders from across the profession to explore how we can shape the future of nursing education through innovation, inclusion and meaningful impact.
We are inviting submissions that showcase pioneering practice, research, service improvement, partnership working and educational excellence. Whether you are leading transformative initiatives, advancing evidence-informed practice or developing new approaches to learning and professional development, we want to hear from you.
Abstract submissions close on 30 October 2026.
We welcome abstracts under the following categories:
- Advancing Nursing Education Through Digital Innovation, AI and Simulation
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Within Nursing Education and Professional Development
- Partnership, Practice Learning and Community-Focused Care
- Sustainable and Pioneering Approaches to Pre- and Post-Registration Nursing Education
Refer to our call for abstract section for further information on the categories and guidance on how to submit your abstract.
Please note, this is an in-person conference. If your abstract is accepted, all presenters will be expected to register to present in person.
Who can submit?
Whether you're a student nurse starting out in your career or an experienced professional, we welcome submissions from individuals across all levels of nursing. We invite abstracts that showcase research, innovation, and solution-based strategies shaping the future of nursing education and practice.
We especially encourage contributions from third sector, private, independent, and voluntary organisations, as well as from our internationally educated nursing workforce.
This is an opportunity to share your work, inspire colleagues and contribute to the ongoing development of a nursing workforce that is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. Join us in shaping the next generation of nursing education and making a lasting impact on practice, learning and patient care. Submit your abstract by 30 October 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping the future of nursing education.
RCN Events team
education@rcn.org.uk
02076473577
DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole
Kings Road
Brighton
BN1 2FU
The DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole is located on the South Coast of England in Brighton, a popular destination for travellers due to its stunning seaside location and unique charm. Brighton is known as “London by the sea” due to its close proximity to London. It takes under one hour to travel from London Victoria to Brighton by train, and Gatwick International Airport is just 30 minutes away.
Brighton is:
- just under an hour by rail from London
- about 45 minutes by road from the M25 London orbital motorway
- half-an-hour from London Gatwick Airport
- on a direct rail link from the Eurostar Service at St Pancras
- accessible by regular coach connections from London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports
- within easy access of Northern France from the nearby port of Newhaven
- only 1.5 – 2 hours by motorway from the major ports of Dover, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Parking
£29.00 per day. Car park in St Margarets Place, BN1 2FD (Max 1.8m)
The city – Brighton
Brighton is a year-round tourist hub, discover what this wonderful city has to offer
Key diary dates
| Friday 30 October 2026 | Call for abstracts close |
| 4 - 18 November 2026 | Abstracts in review by scientific committee |
| w/c 30 November 2026 |
Outcome of abstract reviews communicated to authors. Conference programme published. |
| Friday 5 February 2027 | Registration deadline for presenter rate |
Criteria for abstract selection
View the criteria for abstract selection and submission guidance.
View conference terms and conditions
We strongly recommend that you invite a colleague to peer review your abstract against the criteria before it is submitted.
All abstracts must be submitted online through the Abstract Management System which can be found
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:
- 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 Q&A and discussion.
- Flash talk
Flash talks are strictly timed 5-minute presentations delivered in main plenary session (i.e. to whole conference) and provide the opportunity for your findings to reach a large number of delegates but in a concise form. Following all flash talk presentations there will the opportunity for a 10-minute Q&A
- Poster presentation (one day)
Exhibited on one day of the conference, posters are visual displays of material. Poster displays reach a wide audience and are suited to the presentation of factual data, such as project design or findings. Posters should be visually stimulating in design and convey clear aims and outcomes. Presenters are required to be available on the day of their presentation during the lunch break to engage informally with delegates.
- Visual Presentation with Expert Review (ViPER)
A ViPER is an oral poster presentation with, if used, 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).
- 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. The duration of a symposium is normally 60 or 90 minutes depending on the number of papers. Discussion may be after each paper (maximum 5 minutes) or at the end of the symposium.
Who can present?
Whether you're a student nurse starting out in your career or an experienced professional, we welcome submissions from individuals across all levels of nursing and from every health and social care setting – both within the UK and internationally.
We especially encourage contributions from third sector, private, independent, and voluntary organisations, as well as from our internationally educated nursing workforce.
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:
- a platform to showcase your work and your employer on a national level
- having your research and innovation recognised by peers, receiving constructive review and encouragement
- being able to demonstrate initiative and commitment to the future of nurse education
- the opportunity to build networks and alliances, expanding your knowledge and promoting your work
- debating and sharing the current challenges at the heart of nursing education
- 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.
Benefits of attending
Attending this conference provides a quality assured opportunity to improve nursing practice. Learn, network, discuss and debate the challenges facing the future nursing workforce.
Through attending this event delegates will be able to:
• identify new approaches, innovation and developments in inclusive education and practice
• analyse strategies and education models for sustaining and developing the workforce
• apply an understanding of the value of learner and educator partnerships to professional nursing education
• discuss leadership to support quality improvement and innovation in contemporary nursing education and practice
• accrue CPD hours towards your revalidation
• reflect on the findings and evidence provided by peers and explore how you can use this knowledge to improve your professional practice
• build new alliances and grow your professional network
• engage with the RCN Education Forum and leading educators to ask the questions you want answers to.
Delegates can be confident that abstracts are reviewed with rigour and the programme is designed to create a high-quality forum in which to reflect on work, participate in networking events and discuss the latest developments in nursing education.
Need a helping hand with securing time off or funding to attend? Please download these helpful hints and tips.
Testimonials
What our 2025 delegates told us.
“The concurrent presentations were of a very high standard which generated excellent discussions both in and out of the rooms. The networking was excellent.”
“The opportunity to meet and learn from people all over the country in different contexts was invaluable.”
“It was great being with likeminded colleagues and having time to consider and reflect.”
“A great opportunity to learn more about the challenges faced by IEN’s and the amazing work undertaken to support them enter the nursing workforce.”
“Keynote speakers were exceptional.”
“Absolutely fantastic conference -it was brilliant. To see the enthusiasm that the team are taking back to the workplace is amazing - so many ideas to implement and support”
Student funding
To support pre-registration nursing student members in developing their skills and confidence in presenting at professional conferences, the RCN is offering up to four discretionary funded places at the RCN Education Conference 2026. These places will be awarded to eligible students whose abstract submissions receive the highest scores, as determined by the scientific committee.
Each successful applicant will be awarded funding of up to £500 to cover conference registration fees and travel for the day of their presentation. Overnight accommodation will also be organised for anyone travelling long distance.
To be eligible, applicants must be RCN members and currently enrolled in a recognised pre-registration nursing programme in the UK at the time of abstract submission.
Find out how to submit an abstract.
Please note travel and accommodation will be organised in accordance with the
The RCN Education Forum Conference 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
Page last updated - 23/07/2026
