This guides answers FAQs about membership including joining the RCN, payments and direct debits, tax relief, confirmation of membership, cancelling, changing your details, forgotten membership number, forgotten password, and how and when to contact the RCN.
What are the benefits of RCN membership?
Read more about nurse membership
Read more about student membership
Read more about health practitioner membership
Back to contentsDo you offer any joint Membership plans with other organisations?
We have joint Membership plans available with the Royal College of Midwives, the University College Union and the Educational Institute of Scotland. For more information please call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.
Back to contentsHow can I join the RCN?
The easiest way is to join online and you can choose to pay via monthly or annual Direct Debit, or by card. Alternatively you can call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.
What are the membership subscription rates?
The membership rates are available to see on our subscription rates page, and depend on what type of membership you require.
Back to contentsCan I get a letter confirming my membership of the RCN?
Yes - you can download one from MyRCN
How do I request a replacement membership card?
Please contact us to request a replacement card.
Back to contentsI've lost/forgotten my membership number, what can I do?
You can find your number by logging in to MyRCN using your email address and password. It's important that you use the email address that we have on record for you.
Back to contentsI can't log in as I've forgotten my password
Reset your password here
Back to contentsHow can change my address and/or contact details?
You can do this yourself in MyRCN, email membership@rcn.org.uk or call us on 0345 772 6100 (option 1) Monday-Friday 8.30am to 8.30pm, excl. Bank Holidays. This call will be charged at a local rate.
How do I change my mailing preferences?
You can do this yourself online or email membership@rcn.org.uk. You can also use the unsubscribe link in emails or call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.
Remember though, that you might miss out on some important information if you choose to opt out of receiving communications. Some transactional information (about your payments) or important ballot information may continue to be sent.
Back to contentsWhy do my Direct Debit references look different?
We've recently introduced a new system that handles your Direct Debit payments in a slightly different way to before. You don't need to do anything, but here's how it will work in future:
If we have problems with setting up the new reference, or collecting your Direct Debit payment, we'll contact you.
The bank has told me a new payment reference has been set up for my Direct Debit to the RCN. Should I be worried?
No. If you pay for your membership via Direct Debit we have set up a new reference for your payment as part of a move to a new membership IT system or because your membership is due for renewal. This does not affect your payment(s), and you need take no action. Nothing will be collected against your old reference action.
How can I change Direct Debit bank account details?
You can change the bank account details we hold for your direct debit payments by calling one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.
How can I change my Direct Debit from monthly to annual payment, or vice versa?
There is no need to contact your bank, please call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.
Can I change the day/date on which my Direct Debits are taken from my account?
Unfortunately no. We make only one collection of Direct Debits a month, on or within three working days of the first working day of the month.
What date are Direct Debits taken from my account?
Direct Debits for membership, journal subscriptions and RCN Foundation donations are always taken on the first working day of each month. The Direct Debit scheme rules allow us to collect on or within three working days of this date.
When is the RCN subscription year?
Your annual subscription runs from the month you joined for 12 months. If you pay via Direct Debit your subscription will be automatically renewed. If you pay via cheque or card, we will notify in advance of your renewal that payment is due.
My spouse/partner is a member, can I get a reduced fee for my membership?
Unfortunately we don’t offer a family rate. Membership is individual, and therefore you will need to pay the standard rate.
How can I make a donation to the RCN Foundation?
You can make a donation via Just Giving online here http://www.rcnfoundation.org.uk/ or set up a regular donation via Direct Debit by calling one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.
How can I subscribe, to, change or cancel a RCNi journal subscription?
You can subscribe to and upgrade RCNi journals online at http://journals.rcni.com/. If you would like to cancel your RCNi journal subscription please email the customer service team at customerservice@rcni.com.
Back to contentsCan you give me advice about claiming back tax relief on my subscriptions?
Nurse Members can claim tax relief against their subscription. To help you do this, we can supply a letter detailing the payments against which you can claim tax relief. Please call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate. We are not qualified to give financial advice and you should contact your accountant or financial adviser should you require further advice.
Back to contentsHow do I get my member discounts?
You can access member discounts through RCN Xtra. Please note that you must be logged out of MYRCN before you can log in to RCNXtra
Back to contentsI'm retiring from work. Is there a reduced subscription?
You can transfer to a Retired membership plan (retired from all employment or unable to work through ill-health) which costs £10 a year. There are some limitations on some membership benefits for this category of membership. Please call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate. If you'd prefer you can email us at membership@rcn.org.uk
I’m taking a break from work (for example for maternity leave or going overseas). Is there a reduced subscription?
We have a Voluntary Break payment plan available for a year at 50% discount to the Full Member rate. There are limits on some membership benefits for this category of membership. Please call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate. If you'd prefer you can email us at membership@rcn.org.uk
I work part-time, can I pay a reduced subscription?
We do not offer a reduced subscription for members working part-time.
Back to contentsHow do I cancel my membership?
We're sorry to hear you're thinking about leaving. Before you make a decision, why not take the time to remind yourself of the great benefits that your membership gives you. If you still wish to cancel, please contact one of our Member Consultants on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excl. Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate. If you'd prefer you can contact us by email membership@rcn.org.uk. If you pay for your membership via Direct Debit, remember you will need to advise the bank that you wish to cancel your Direct Debit to the RCN.
Back to contentsInformation on the RCN's Membership Policies and Processes can be found on our governance documents page. This page includes links to information on our royal charter, standing orders, regulations, policies and processes that ensure effective governance within our organisation.
Back to contentsRCN Foundation - scholarships, bursaries and learning and development opportunities for nurses, midwives and HCAs
RCN libraries - contact details for all RCN libraries
RCNi - for your journals, learning and CPD
RCN advice service - advice for members on a range of employment issues, and more. Start here to get the advice you need
RCN regional and country offices - find out what's happening in your area
RCN publications - view all of our publications here. You can download them all free of charge. Not all publications are available in hard copy, but to find out if the publication you want is available call 0345 772 6100 and select option 5.
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