Nurse member
If you are a fully qualified nurse or midwife you can join the largest nursing union and professional body in the UK. Membership of the RCN will give you access to invaluable protection and support as well as an extensive range of
exclusive benefits and services.
Benefits of membership include:
- indemnity protection of up to £3 million*
- expert support and representation from the RCN legal team – the biggest in-house legal team of any union in the UK*
- advice on the issues that matter to you as a nursing professional from our expert advisers
- RCN counselling and welfare service
- advice and support from the RCN Careers Service
- networking and learning opportunities through the RCN forums
- employment relations support
- the world’s largest nursing library also available online
- RCN Bulletin**
- exclusive discounts through RCNXtra
- eligibility to vote in a general ballot; vote in branch or forum elections; vote in council elections; vote in presidential elections; stand for council; and stand for election to regional or national board
- and much more!
Membership of the RCN offers excellent value for money. While we hope nothing should ever go wrong in your practice, we understand that you value the peace of mind that comes with protection from the largest in-house legal team of any union in the UK. Without RCN membership you could be forced to pay up more than £300 per hour for a lawyer.
Other services such as careers coaching or immigration services could also save you hundreds of pounds.
* Subject to membership payment plan. Terms and conditions of indemnity cover apply.
** Members based overseas can only access RCN Bulletin online.
Membership payment plans
There are a range of payment plans available so you can find the right one to suit your current circumstances. Select the payment plan that applies to you you from the list below:
- Nurse first year discount for those who have registered with the NMC for the first time in the last 12 months
- Nurse full for fully qualified nurses or midwives
- Joint RCM (Royal College of Midwives) if you’re already a full member of the Royal College of Midwives
- Joint educational if you are working in a role/area recognised by the UCU and/or EIS
- Nurse voluntary break if you’re currently not working or taking a break from nursing
- Nurse retired if you are an RCN member who has now retired
The benefits, services, and eligibility of nurse membership can differ depending on your payment plan.
Tax relief
Don't forget, members who pay tax can claim tax relief on their RCN subscription from the Inland Revenue. Download a tax relief claim form (PDF 870KB) [see how to access PDF files] and get further information online or by calling RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 (8.30am-8.30pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays). If you haven't claimed before, you can also backdate your claim for up to six years.
Notes
Members on the joint Royal College of Midwives (RCM), joint educational, nurse voluntary break and nurse retired payment plans are not eligible for either indemnity cover or employment support from the RCN but may receive telephone advice from RCN Direct.
Members on the joint RCM payment plan receive their indemnity cover and employment support from the RCM.
Members on the joint educational payment plan should seek employment relations support from the UCU and professional or nursing advice from the RCN.
UCU provides the employment relations support, the RCN provides the indemnity as well as support and advice on professional and nursing issues.
There are conditions and limitations to indemnity cover which are detailed on the RCN website.