Student member of the RCN

Eligibility criteria

Student membership is available only to those individuals undertaking a recognised course of study that will on qualification, enable them for the first time, to register with the NMC, including pre-registration student midwives.

Exclusions

Student membership is not available to nurses or midwives who already have a NMC registerable qualification and who might be undertaking any other course of study.

Period of availability

For nurses in pre-registration training, typically three or four years depending on the course they are undertaking.

Current subscription rate

£10 per annum, or £0.84p per month if monthly Direct Debit chosen.

Classification of membership

Student member

Benefits

  • indemnity insurance cover
  • employment relations support
  • Bulletin (editorial)
  • RCN magazine
  • eligible to vote in a general ballot
  • eligible to vote in branch or forum elections
  • eligible to vote in council elections
  • eligible to vote in presidential elections
  • eligible to stand for council (student seat)
  • eligible to stand for election to regional or national board (student seat).

Notes

Overseas members do not receive the RCN Bulletin.

Representation on matters relating to their course of study is generally provided by the NUS rather than the RCN, although support may be provided if there is no local student support mechanism.

Student members vote only for their ANS representatives on RCN council, and are not eligible to vote in other RCN council elections.

Part-time training courses are available which can last five or six years.

Provided that the member does not have any other registerable nursing or midwifery qualification, they are eligible for student membership for as long as their training course lasts.

Students undertaking an overseas elective where they have provided an overseas address do not receive the RCN Bulletin.