RCN Lead Nurse for Norfolk aims to boost support for independent sector staff

We’re pleased to share an update from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) regarding support available for nurses working in the independent health and social care sector across our region.

The RCN has a dedicated Lead Nurse for the Eastern Region, whose role is to champion the nursing workforce in settings like residential and nursing homes, and ensure they have access to the professional development and resources they need.

Introducing Sarah Seeley

Sarah Seeley is the RCN Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care (IHSC) within the Eastern Region. A Registered Nurse with over 36 years’ experience across diverse healthcare settings, Sarah is committed to supporting nurses at all levels with their professional development to provide safe and effective care.

Her career within the RCN has focused on advocating for nursing and strengthening the professional frameworks that guide and define modern practice. This work has reinforced her commitment to ensuring nurses working within independent health and social care are heard, supported, and empowered.

A new Definition of Nursing

Central to the RCN’s work is a new comprehensive Definition of Nursing, which sets out the safety-critical nature of the profession. It highlights the four pillars of practice: clinical care, education, research, and leadership. The definition underscores that registered nurses are expert decision-makers who use evidence-based knowledge and professional judgement to deliver complex, person-centred care.

Nursing is a safety-critical profession founded on four pillars: clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. Registered nurses use evidence-based knowledge, and their professional and clinical judgement to assess, plan, implement and evaluate high-quality person-centred nursing care.

Resources and support for your team

A key part of the RCN Lead Nurse role is to deliver the RCN’s professional offer and support nurses to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. This includes:

• Europe’s largest digital nursing library
• Clinical specialist resources
• Courses and professional programmes
• Revalidation support
• Access to UK-wide forums and networks

All of these resources are easily accessible to RCN members and are designed to help nurses stay at the forefront of practice.

A focus on the independent sector

Sarah’s priority is to champion nursing staff across the independent health and social care sectors. She is focused on ensuring that future policy, frameworks, and care pathways are shaped and led by those at the forefront of nursing care. By understanding the unique challenges of the sector, she aims to amplify the nursing voice and ensure nurses have the right tools and support to thrive.

The role also serves as a conduit to ensure social care is positioned as central within neighbourhood teams, ready to meet the demands of an evolving health and care landscape.

Get in touch

This is an excellent opportunity to connect with the RCN and access support for your nursing staff. If you would like to learn more about professional development opportunities or discuss support for your organisation, you can contact Sarah Seeley directly at: sarah.seeley@rcn.org.uk