Membership rates and categories
This page shows the main RCN membership categories and rates, and links to further details on each category of membership.
This is based on the statements about membership in the RCN Charter, RCN Bye-Laws and RCN Rules pages in the governance section of the site. It also describes the mechanism for linking concessionary and associate non-practising rates to the full member rate.
Setting membership rates
At the RCN Annual General Meeting in October 2005, members voted to allow RCN Council to decide member subscriptions for the next five years. Members will not be asked to vote on a subscription increase unless the proposed increase is above 6 per cent. This process will be reviewed after four years.
At it's July 2007 meeting Council decided to increase membership rates for 2008 by 2.5 per cent which is an increase to the full members’ rate of 38p a month. All other membership rates have been increased by the same percentage. This increase is effective as from 1 January 2008.
This increase will ensure that the RCN can continue to provide the current level of member services and benefits, many of which are unrivalled by other trade unions or nursing organisations. It will also ensure that the RCN is in a strong position to campaign on your behalf on issues such as deficits, Agenda for Change, NHS pensions and pay.
Subscription rates 2008
Listed below are the membership categories and the monthly and annual price both before and after tax relief. Further information on membership criteria can be accessed by clicking on the relevant category links.
Membership categories with annual and monthly rates both before and after tax relief.
| Membership category | Annual rate | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *After tax relief | *After tax relief | |||
| Full | 185.04 | 144.33 | 15.42 | 12.03 |
| Full Newly Qualified | 92.52 | 72.17 | 7.71 | 6.01 |
| Full Concessionary | 138.78 | 108.25 | 11.57 | 9.02 |
| Student | 10.00 | n/a** | 0.84 | n/a** |
| Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) Full | 123.36 | 96.22 | 10.28 | 8.02 |
| HCSW Concessionary | 92.52 | 72.17 | 7.71 | 6.01 |
| EU and international nurses (on supervised placement) |
10.00 | n/a** | 0.84 | n/a** |
| Nurse cadet | 10.00 | n/a** | 0.84 | n/a** |
| Associate Non-Practising | 46.26 | n/a** | 3.86 | n/a** |
| Associate Retired | 10.00 | n/a** | 0.84 | n/a |
| Associate Career Break | 92.52 | 72.17 | 7.71 | 6.01 |
| RCN/RCM Associate | 92.52 | 72.17 | 7.71 | 6.01 |
| Joint (with either UCU or EIS) | 138.78 | 108.25 | 11.57 | 9.02 |
* tax relief may vary depending on the tax situation of each member
** however, tax relief would be available if a member is paying basic rate tax
RCN fellows
Fellowship is a gift of RCN Council rather than a membership category you can join.
Tax relief
Don’t forget, members who pay tax can claim tax relief on their RCN subscription from the Inland Revenue. Further information, including a tax relief claim form, is availble here: tax relief , or by e-mailing us: get in touch online, or by calling RCN Direct at the number below. If you haven’t claimed before you can also backdate your claim for up to six years.
If you have any queries about your membership please call RCN Direct on 0845 772 6100 (8.30-8.30 Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays).
Membership queries
Queries on or about matters relating to membership should be directed to the Membership Manager at RCN Direct rcndmemberservices@rcn.org.uk
Matters requiring further clarification will be discussed via the RCN's Membership Terms and Conditions Group, further details on this group are available in the Appendices page.
Where clarification is not available, or where it is believed a decision on a membership is outside the remit of the key RCN staff, the matter will be referred to the Chair of RCN council’s subgroup on membership matters, the Membership, Representation and Diversity Committee for a decision.