1. The Royal College of Nursing website Sharon Palfrey and Jackie May RCN Webteam January 2008

2. Philosophy F The website is a member resource and is based on the communication needs of RCN members F It must facilitate member interactions and focus on the dual aims of professional development and support and representation F Assessing the needs of RCN members in a quantifiable manner is the first stage of building a successful site.

3. Background work F Situational review of website F Infrastructure overhaul to provide a more stable platform and to prevent hacking F Usability testing. 100 sample members were tested and an assessment was made of their online abilities and needs. Results confirmed the site was not sensibly classified and too focused on internal structures and definitions F Content review F New architecture and design F Usability testing repeated with vastly improved results.

4. Content review actions F A full audit of the RCN website was conducted August-October 2006 F Content review identified that 35% of all RCN web content was erroneous, out of date or contains factual inaccuracies F All content now tagged with specific review periods to prevent site stagnation.

5. Current website F A new site with a new look and feel F A stable, robust and secure service F A fit for purpose site designed by the members, for the members that is a brand leader in the nursing and trade union world.

6. The future F Introduction of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds to facilitate quick syndication of RCN news F Downloadable podcasts of speeches and major announcements F Community based website.

7. Key areas of the RCN website F Publications F http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/publications http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/publications F Discussion Zone F http://www.rcn.org.uk/discussion_zone http://www.rcn.org.uk/discussion_zone F Communities F http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/communities http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/communities F http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/communities/about_nursing_communities http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/communities/about_nursing_communities F Online joining F https://www.rcn.org.uk/myrcn/joining https://www.rcn.org.uk/myrcn/joining

8. Key areas of the RCN website (cont.) F Learning Zone F http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/learning/learningzone http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/learning/learningzone F News and events F http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents F Information for activists F http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents F Campaigns F http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/campaigns http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/campaigns

9. How will you use the RCN website? F Think about how you can use the website in your learning representative role F Feedback your good and bad points F Contact the webteam: webteam@rcn.org.ukwebteam@rcn.org.uk

10. Thank you for your time Sharon.palfrey@rcn.org.uk Jackie.may@rcn.org.uk