Nursing is an evolving profession and at the RCN, we always try to keep pace with our members. Our magazines are no exception.
The RCN’s first member magazine, Bulletin, was published in January 1920, not long after the College was founded. It promised “to be of service to the nursing profession” and to help make sure that “nursing may be made a better career for women”.
That first issue discussed the recent victory in securing nurse registration, and contained local nursing news, letters from members, lecture listings, and obituaries – including the tragic death of Miss Florence Nightingale Shore (a descendant of the famed Nightingale) who was killed by “an unknown assailant in the London-Hastings train”.
This version of Bulletin lasted for six years, until Nursing Times took its place. In 1963, Nursing Times was sold to an independent publisher. Five years later, it was replaced by Nursing Standard (now run by our sister company RCNi) plus regional magazines.
As the new millennium dawned, two new publications arrived. In April 2000, then General Secretary Christine Hancock introduced the “new fortnightly newsletter” RCN Bulletin, and announced the forthcoming RCN Members’ Magazine, a national replacement for the old regional magazines.
Since then, we’ve also made mini magazines for sections of our membership. In 2005 Activate was created for our active members, such as workplace reps. After various student publications, in 2011 RCN Students magazine arrived, then in 2014 Health+Care began publication, catering for nursing support worker members.
We’ve celebrated historic events on our magazine covers, including the extension of membership to “health care assistants and nurse cadets” in 2001 and the RCN’s 100th anniversary in 2016.
In 2017, we finally launched our magazines online, making it easier to access articles on the go, and find pieces from past issues. Last year, the RCN Magazines website had a huge makeover, making it better looking and easier to use than ever. As the website has developed, we’ve expanded what’s on offer: clinical explainers, Q&As with inspiring nurses, wellbeing tips, career advice and more, plus videos to watch and audio content to listen to on the move.
Earlier this year, we invited you to take part in a survey. Based on what you told us, we’re making another change so we can serve you better. This means saying a fond farewell to RCN print magazines, but a big hello to our exciting digital future. On the RCN Magazines website, you’ll find all of the familiar articles you know and love, plus even more news and features to support your career. Explore new articles every time you visit, plus a growing array of videos, audio and more.
