How to become a representative

The RCN welcomes applications from members to become an accredited RCN trade union representative. If you would like the chance to make a real difference to your patients, the working lives of yourself and your colleagues - and even the future of nursing care, why not become an RCN representative? RCN members - who can be registered nurses or health care assistants - choose to become representatives for all kinds of reasons. The work of our representatives can be fun, but it can also be very challenging so we need people who are committed to the aims, objectives and activities of the RCN.

There are three kinds of local RCN representative. They are:

  • RCN stewards - representing RCN members on employment issues in the workplace
  • RCN safety representatives - promoting a healthy and safe working environment
  • RCN learning representatives - supporting the learning and career development of RCN members.

To find out more about these roles see: What is a representative?

The benefits

As an RCN representative, you are:

  • fully supported by RCN staff and by a network of other representatives throughout the UK
  • specially trained, with your continuing learning and development needs met by the RCN's Employment Relations Department, backed by RCN officers
  • legally entitled to reasonable paid time off for your learning and development and to carry out your representative duties
  • encouraged to access a specialist area on the RCN's website, which contains a wide range of resources, and a discussion area
  • kept up-to-date with news and information via your own monthly newsletter, Activate
  • invited to attend national conferences and events
  • entitled to a 25 per cent discount off the member rate for RCN conferences organised solely by the RCN Events team
  • eligible to receive a special RCN award that recognises your hard work and achievements.

Learning and development programme

A UK-wide learning and development framework for RCN representatives was launched at RCN Congress 2008. Created in response to what RCN representatives and officers told us they need, the new pathways will ensure that training is consistent across all four countries.

However, in recognition that health services are structured differently in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the RCN is developing specific learning and development programmes to meet the particular needs of our representatives in these countries.

In England, our comprehensive training is mapped against nationally agreed standards for trade union officers and representatives. The focus is on individual support, based upon self-analysis of your own learning needs. Learning is work-based, with guidance and advice from officers and experienced RCN representatives.

At the outset, newly recruited representatives study a foundation course. When you have demonstrated your competence, you can choose a specific module, which trains you to become an RCN steward, safety representative or learning representative. Once you become a more experienced representative, you can opt to take part in a master class or bespoke workshop.

RCN regional offices are: Eastern, London, Northern, North West, South East, South West, East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Choose any of the regional or country links above for more information on training and development specific to your area.

Interested in becoming a representative?

For more information:

  • download the representatives recruitment leaflet (PDF 1.55MB) [how to access PDF files] and complete the short form at the back 
  • contact RCN Direct on 0845 772 6100, or your regional or national office to request a representatives recruitment leaflet (please quote publication code 003 340)
  • contact your local representative or local RCN branch. Their contact details will be on the RCN notice board.

The short form should be sent to your local RCN office who will then contact you to arrange an informal chat to discuss the role. If you decide you'd like to proceed with your application, you'll then receive an application form.

To apply, you need to be nominated by two RCN members. These are people who believe you would make a good representative, and may be a colleague from your branch or a work colleague. After you have completed the application form, indicating what type of representative you wish to be, it should be sent to the branch secretary. There will be a workplace election, after which the branch will ratify your nomination as an elected trade union representative, and the regional or national office will inform your employer that you are an accredited RCN representative.

The full application form will only be accepted once you have sent in an expression of interest form and spoken to your regional office.