Queen’s Nurse title set to return to Scotland after almost 50 years

A nine-month development programme will enable 20 community nurses to use the Queen’s Nurse title in Scotland.

They will be the first nurses to receive the title in Scotland for almost half a century.

The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) has recruited the cohort from health boards and other independent organisations across the country.

The nurses hail from a range of backgrounds, including district nursing, health visiting, midwifery, mental health nursing, practice nursing and criminal justice.

Enhancing skills

QNIS chief executive and nurse director Clare Cable said: ‘They have all demonstrated their impact as experienced practitioners and clinical leaders.

‘Now they have the opportunity to further enhance their professional skills by becoming Queen’s Nurses.’

Timely return

Scotland’s chief nursing officer Fiona McQueen said: ‘With health policy rapidly shifting the balance of care towards care at home, it is an opportune time to highlight the important contribution of community nurses.

‘The return of the Queen’s Nurse title is a welcome mark of professional excellence.’

Historically in Scotland, the title was awarded to nurses who completed training that equipped them to work in the community.

They provided healthcare and health promotion to people in their own homes, and were highly valued in the communities in which they practised.

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