RCN Congress 2018

Thousands of nurses are gathering in Belfast for the annual RCN congress, which takes place between Saturday 12 and Wednesday 16 May.

Expect to see debates on big issues including recruitment, hydration, pay, the use of body cameras at work and encouraging more men into nursing.

Fringe events will also cover diverse topics such as pet therapy, modern slavery and menopause.

Congress is a chance to make your mark. Picture: John Houlihan

Make sure to regularly visit rcni.com/congress-2018 for the latest congress news, features and opinions.


Medical use of cannabis should be decriminalised, says RCN congress

Decriminalise use of the class B drug for medical purposes, nurses urge

Prison nurses say epidemic of 'zombie drug' Spice is threatening their health...

RCN calls for action to protect prison nurses exposed to psychoactive smoke

Prison nurses report cases of daily abuse and intimidation

RCN pledges support after hearing of burnt-out prison nurses' daily encounters with serious...

Frailty should be viewed as a reversible syndrome, congress fringe told

Recognise frailty as a clinical condition that needs to be managed, researchers say

Congress votes unanimously to preserve field of learning disability nursing

In a congress debate, members heard that universities were closing programmes and nurses...

Public health nursing cuts ‘will be felt for generations’

Congress backs call to lobby government to reverse ‘short-sighted’ funding cuts in England

Nurses’ reluctance to strike tied our hands, says RCN chief pay negotiator

We couldn’t press for a bigger pay rise as nurses are unlikely to strike – Josie Irwin

A nurse’s story: what it takes to do the hardest job of all

Author and RCN congress keynote speaker Christie Watson says nurses desperately need support

‘My boss made me move bay because of a patient’s racist abuse’

Congress gasps as Kenyan nurse recalls how abusive patient questioned her ability

Congress rejects call for strategy on recruiting men

Speakers say they would rather promote nursing to everyone, regardless of gender

Fears for England's sexual health as RCN survey finds clinics struggling to meet...

RCN survey of 600 nurses uncovers understaffing, job freezes and inadequate training, with...

Relax limit on child refugees allowed into UK, RCN congress tells government

Child refugees deserve safe haven in the UK, congress speakers say

Easy access to public toilets would cut social isolation, congress hears

RCN urged to campaign for more accessible public toilets, as many have closed due to funding...

RCN congress agrees that government should stop health surcharge for overseas nurses

Kenyan nurse Evaline Omondi explained how the fee had affected her family

Pet therapy – new protocol from RCN

Dogs should be used more widely in hospitals, says RCN

Congress condemns trend to move NHS staff to private firms

Transfers of NHS staff to private companies to save costs condemned by congress speakers

Nurses on both sides of NHS pay offer report bullying and taunts

Those against offer branded ‘deluded’, while some in favour bullied on social media,...

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