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Royal College of Nursing Library and Museum
@rcnlibraries.bsky.social
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The RCN (@rcn.org.uk) Library and Museum is Europe’s largest nursing library. Use our services online or visit our libraries, exhibitions and events in person.

Get in touch via: www.rcn.org.uk/library

Online|Belfast|Cardiff|Edinburgh|London
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rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Did you know our nursing history collection holds nearly 5,000 pamphlets - many over 100 years old?

We are working to make them easier to access for members and researchers by:

🔍 Improving search records
📜 Checking each pamphlet’s condition
📷 Identifying digitisation opportunities

#HistNursing
Graduate Trainee Ana lifts a box of pamphlets from the history store shelves. A stack of historic pamphlets from our collection. Our Customer Services Assistant, John, assesses a pamphlet. Inside the stacks of our nursing history store room.
January 14, 2026 at 7:15 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
It is World Logic Day! 🤔 Did you know logic can be extremely helpful when conducting a literature search on a database? Check out our video on how you can implement Boolean logic to find the articles you need. 🧠 #RCNLibrary #WorldLogicDay #RCN

https://bit.ly/49vbplD
An image of somebody completing a puzzle. The image promotes world logic day and RCN resources on Boolean logic (a form of logic used in database searching).
January 14, 2026 at 2:28 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Book a one to one sessions with our expert health librarians to learn new database or referencing software skills.

We have several slots every week and you can join us online or in-person.

✅Book your slot: https://bit.ly/4oZcreX
Promotional graphic featuring a photo of a person sat at a laptop. The text reads "Get expert support with a one to one", "Online or in-person", "Individual training on database searching or referencing software".
January 13, 2026 at 3:49 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
From our historic nursing collection: Some Other Children by H.F. Gethen, a nurse who published several books from 1894-1899. Gethen's preface tells us these stories were all inspired by real daily incidents that occurred during her time working in children's hospitals. #HistNursing
Cover of the book Some Other Children by H.F. Gethen. An illustration of two children and a nurse surrounded by ornate floral designs on a dark blue background. Preface from the author which reads as follows. On cold winter evenings when the children cluster round the fire, they say to me: now for a story. On hot summer days when, tired of play, they sprawl about the fragrant hay-cocks, they make the same peremptory demand: do tell us a story. When the recital is over there comes a moment’s pause, and then, as a kind of chorus, follows the question: is that all quite true? If I say yes, I am expected to account for the why and wherefore, and to fix the date of each past event. Realizing the extreme accuracy of which young folks demand from their elders (not always from each other), I wish to protect myself from undue criticism by confessing at once that what I have written here is, on the whole, perfectly true. Yet, as an old woman may stitch together her odd bits of velvet and silk to compose a useful piece of patchwork, so I, with my pen, have tried to weave into story-form some of the incidents which daily occur in hospitals for children.
January 12, 2026 at 8:41 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Join us this week to learn how to search the CINAHL database - one of the most important resources for evidence-based nursing!

📅 15 January 2026
🕑 2-3pm
🛜 Online
🔗 Book: https://bit.ly/45KV1ea
Promotional image for a Royal College of Nursing online event titled 'Know how to... Search CINAHL', scheduled for 15 January 2026. Features two smiling individuals seated at a table with a laptop, in a brightly coloured room.
January 11, 2026 at 2:05 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
🎊 We had some wonderful feedback from you all on our 2025 annual survey! Thanks to everyone who took part, your kind words mean a lot to us! ❤️

#RCNLibraryandMuseum #RCN
Text on an image praising the RCN Library and Museum, quoting a 2025 survey response from a nurse and midwife about the supportive and encouraging staff and the facility's usefulness for conducting literature searches, among other activities.
January 10, 2026 at 10:16 AM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Start 2026 with the right tools! 📚 Discover books and eBooks to support your goals this year. Head to Library Search to get started: https://bit.ly/493IovK

📍 In London? Find the book display on the Lower Ground Floor of the RCN Library and Museum.
Five book covers laid out on a blue background. The books are: - Learning from neurodivergent leaders: how to start, survive and thrive in leadership - Digital skills for nursing studies and practice - Listen: how to find the words for tender conversations - How to write and publish a scientific paper - Minority ethnic voices in healthcare professions: strategies for career empowerment and creating inclusive settings Five book covers laid out on a blue background. The books are: - How to succeed on nursing placements - Self-care for allied health professionals - The power of protest in healthcare: lessons from a doctor's journey to activism - Take charge of your nursing career - Workers can win: a guide to organising at work
January 9, 2026 at 4:12 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
With a new year comes many taking on the #DryJanuary challenge to reduce their alcohol intake. This got us curious about research into campaigns to tackle alcohol misuse. You, too, can explore the latest public health research on alcohol here: bit.ly/4q5pegt
Advertisement for Dry January featuring a blurred background of various alcohol bottles on a shelf, with text overlay reading 'Dry January - Explore the latest public health research on alcohol.'
January 8, 2026 at 6:13 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
We've looked into our historic print journals for #WorldTypingDay.

This typewriter was featured in a 1979 Nursing Times article on Naidex, the National Aids for the Disabled Exhibition and Conference.

The then state of the art machine enabled blind typists to proof-read with early text-to-speech.
A large typewriter on a table next to a machine with keys. The table has written on it "... Audio Typing Unit"
January 8, 2026 at 2:15 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
We have our staff training day on Wednesday 21 January 2026. This means some changes to our services. Check what's changing before you plan your visit: https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/staff-training-day
January 8, 2026 at 1:27 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
We're back! And ready to answer your questions. Give us a message on our webchat for a quick response. Our expert librarians have an average reply time of under 25 seconds.

Say hello👋 and ask your question: https://rcn.on.worldcat.org/chat/librarian (or look out for the green box across our pages).
January 5, 2026 at 10:16 AM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
We've got a lot planned for you this next year: from new exhibitions and writing to workshops to referencing skills and more #ArtOfNursing. Kick start your year with the RCN Library and Museum.

View our full programme and book your place online: www.rcn.org.uk/whatson
January 4, 2026 at 2:26 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
🎉🥳Happy new year!🥳🎉

Happy 2026 from all of us at the RCN Library and Museum (even Faye and Florence). We hope the coming year is full of good fortune.

Whether you're planning your next assignment, your revalidation portfolio, a job move, or a catch up with old friends - we are here to help!
December 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Our home is built on the site of what was several buildings, with some parts dating back to the 1720s. The 1st floor landing still looks much like the 1920s interior and has many original features.

Book onto one of our tours to see for yourself: https://bit.ly/445J2I3

#HistNursing
December 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Epidemiology: An Introduction is our ebook spotlight for #InternationalDayOfEpidemicPreparedness

Learn epidemiologic concepts which shape pandemic response worldwide. This essential text makes epidemiology simple, coherent and accessible.

Read your copy: https://rcn.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1425947945
December 27, 2025 at 9:59 AM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
We wish all of our members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to welcoming you back, in person and online, in 2026.

This beautiful art deco design is taken from 1930 Christmas copy of the Nursing times. It's a for a nativity play invitation of St George's School, Harpenden.
December 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Congratulations to Emmanuela 🎉

It's great to have her work in the collection - thanks for visiting!

The book is designed to support nursing students through their theoretical learning and clinical placements. So be sure to request it in 2026 if you're a student looking into women's health 🔍👀
Emmanuela Owusu holding her book (Women's Health and Nursing) and smiling in front of a book display. Emmanuela's hand placing her book (Women's Health and Nursing) on a book shelf.
December 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
We are out of office, returning on 5th of January. If you request a literature search during this time, we will pick it up when we return. We have lots of online guidance on literature searching to help you whilst we are away. Take a look at this guide: https://bit.ly/3Fy7OCN
December 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
❄️We have planned changes to our opening schedule over the Christmas period❄️

Check the changes to our online, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London libraries: https://bit.ly/4iNzYgi
December 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
On this day in 1919, the Nurses Registration Act(s) became law, forming three General Nursing Councils in the UK, whose role was to maintain a register of nurses.

The campaign for Nurse Registration was highly controversial. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Y9L8CN

#OTD #HistNursing
Two paper copies of the 1919 Nurses Registration Act, showing the title page and a list of the contents titled 'Arrangement of Sections'. These include: 1. Establishment and constitution of General Nursing Council 2. Register of Nurses 3. Rules 4. Staff and expenses 5. Fees 6. Admission to register of persons trained outside United Kingdom 7. Appeal against removal from register, and against refusal to approve institution 8. Penalties for unlawful assumption of title of nurse and for falsification of register 9. Extent and short title A poem written by Nurse, Violetta Thurstan titled 'A B C of State Registration. Two old, paper documents relating to Nursing Registration. The first document, issued by the College of Nursing Ltd, calls nurses to attend a meeting on 23rd January 1919 at the Royal Society of Medicine, where speakers will explain the Nurses Registration Bill. The second document discusses the 'Economic Conditions in the Nursing Profession', advocating for state registration and to improve public safety and economic independence for nurses.
December 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
🎅 We ho ho hope you find something handy in our little trawl on mistletoe 🌿✨. Follow the link below for articles we hold about the most romantic of all shrubs ❤️.

🔗 https://bit.ly/48QhRBO
December 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Did you know the lamp is the symbol of the nursing profession? We found a few in our collections to provide some extra light on the longest night of the year🕯️

Explore more nursing history on a building tour in 2026: https://bit.ly/4qnqbB5

#HistNursing #WinterSolstice #ShortestDay
Photograph of the Royal College of Nursing coat of arms. It features a shield with a sun and three stars, a scroll with the Latin motto "tradimus lampada", and a gold oil lamp resting on an open book. A black and white page of a newspaper with three photographs of handheld lamps. Two are paper lanterns, like the one used by Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War. The third looks like it is made of gold or silver and it is shaped like a Roman oil lamp. A front cover of a book called 'As Miss Nightingale Said...' The cover is a deep red colour with a gold embossed illustration of Florence Nightingale's lamp.
December 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Did you know that we will post books to our members for free📦📮? You can access Europe's largest nursing library collections wherever you are in the UK. Find out how you can request a postal loan for the new year: https://bit.ly/4hUqqhZ
December 20, 2025 at 9:58 AM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
❄️We have planned changes to our opening schedule over the Christmas period❄️

Check the changes to our online, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London libraries: https://bit.ly/4iNzYgi
December 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Object of the Month – ‘Eureka’ baby bottle, c. 1936-1947

This baby bottle belonged to Nurse and Midwife, Rosa Cassels, used during her nursing work in Palestine where she was born. To learn more about the bottle and Rosa, see our Facebook post: https://bit.ly/44zRDT7

#InternationalMigrantsDay
December 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM