The union says Ms Cullen has brought “stability” to the College during “difficult times”.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has extended the terms of its current interim Chief Executive and General Secretary.
Pat Cullen was initially appointed on an interim basis from mid-2021 until the end of 2022 and has been extended for 12 months.
The union says Ms Cullen has brought “stability” to the College during “difficult times”.
Last year, the RCN cancelled its in-person annual congress due to sexual harassment allegations, its chair of Council was expelled from the College following an internal investigation, and the union was accused of lacking transparency over its former CEO’s departure.
The union is awaiting the results of two separate independent reviews from KPMG and Bruce Carr QC amid concerns around its Governance processes and handling of concerns.
She has worked at the RCN since 2016, became Director of RCN Northern Ireland in May 2019 and acted as General Secretary & Chief Executive from April 2021, taking over the interim role in August 2021.
The right decisions.
Announcing the extension, Carol Popplestone, Chair of RCN Council, said: “Pat’s commendable leadership over the last year has brought stability to our organisation in difficult times.
“With the full confidence of RCN Council and the wider membership, she will be able to look to the future and make the right decisions to reform our College and ensure its strength for many years to come.”
Ms Cullen has confirmed she does not plan to return to her role as Director of RCN Northern Ireland.
Ms Cullen added, “After 40 years in RCN membership, it has been the ultimate privilege to lead this organisation and ensure its place as the voice of the nursing profession.
“With the extra time in the role, I will drive forward the fight for improved pay and safe staffing for members everywhere.
“Nursing staff are the greatest champions of high-quality patient care and employers, policy makers and governments across the UK will be left in no doubt of our determination to raise those standards.”
