RCN Learn logo
Sign up
  • Home

Downloaded content date

PDF created on: 7 Feb 2026.
Downloaded from: https://rcnlearn.rcn.org.uk/Search/RCN-First-Steps/RCN-First-Steps.
Please check: https://rcnlearn.rcn.org.uk for a more up-to-date version of this content.

RCN First steps

Last quality assured: No date available
RCN First Steps

Course

Exclusive quality-assured course.

Available to everyone

Applicable for any nurse looking to learn
The First Steps course will support you either individually – or as part of your workplace induction programme – to learn in your own time, and get you started in your health care career. First Steps maps to a range of National Occupational Standards that will support you and expand on your portfolio of learning.

Who is this Programme for?

This course is aimed at health care assistants and students training to be a health care assistant (HCA).

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Mode of delivery

This course is delivered online.

Programme lead(s)

The programme lead(s) is responsible for

O

Ofrah

Muflahi

Find out more

Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, Room 207, London, W1G 0RN

onlinelearning@rcn.org.uk

On this programme participants will:

The participant will be able to:

Explain the HCA role, responsibilities, boundaries, and legal requirements including confidentiality, consent, and capacity.

Describe safe, person-centred care by promoting dignity, health, equality, diversity, and safeguarding.

Describe the principles of effective communication, accurate record keeping, teamwork, accountability, safe delegation, and workplace safety practices.

Describe infection prevention principles, health and safety, continuing professional development, reflective practice, and accurate patient observations.

Programme contents

The safeguarding of vulnerable people.

Recording and accessing nursing and medical records.

The principles surrounding accountability and delegation.

The legal requirements of confidentiality, consent, and capacity.

Infection prevention and control.

    Certificate of Completion

    Add to your portfolio to add to your continual professional development (CPD)

    RCN Learn Certificate of Completion

    Related courses and resources

    Last updated date 28/10/2025