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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

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Published on: July 8, 2025
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Are we adventurers or ostriches?
1Visiting Professor of Nursing, Southampton University.
Summary
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) demonstrates a dual capacity for bold action and cautious inaction. This adaptability allows for strategic navigation in complex healthcare environments.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare policy and nursing advocacy.
Background:
- The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is a professional union for nurses in the United Kingdom.
- The RCN's effectiveness is often debated, with varying perspectives on its strategic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the RCN's capacity for both proactive and reactive strategies in its operations.
- To understand the implications of this dual approach on nursing advocacy and policy influence.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of RCN's historical actions and public statements.
- Case study examination of specific advocacy campaigns.
Main Results:
- The RCN exhibits a notable capacity for both "adventurous" (proactive, bold) and "ostrich-like" (reactive, cautious) behaviors.
- These contrasting approaches appear to be employed strategically depending on the context.
Conclusions:
- The RCN's adaptability in employing diverse strategies is a key characteristic of its operational model.
- This dual capacity may contribute to its resilience and influence within the healthcare landscape.
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