Becoming an RCN rep gives you the chance to make a real difference to your patients, the working lives of yourself and your colleagues - and even the future of nursing.
If you are an RCN member and a registered nurse or a health care assistant in employment, you can apply to become an RCN learning representative, safety representative or steward. Being a rep is rewarding. You will get support from a close community of reps and RCN staff. Ongoing learning and development will help you become active as a rep and you will learn new skills which can enhance your nursing role. Students are not eligible to become reps, however, there are other ways you can get involved as a student member.
As an RCN representative, you are:
Find out more from reps themselves about the many ways in which they help members and organisations, and how being a rep has changed their lives for the better.
Start by reading the Becoming an RCN Representative booklet. You can print out the application form at the back, complete it and send it to your local RCN office. Alternatively register your interest online.
Once we have received your application, someone will then contact you to arrange an informal chat to discuss the role. This will give you an opportunity to talk through any questions you might have. More information about the application process is detailed in the booklet.
As a newly recruited representative, you'll start by attending a foundation module. On successful completion you will move on to your chosen development module which prepares you for your role as RCN learning rep, safety rep or steward.
Once you’ve completed your foundation and development modules you will be eligible to attend continuing learning and development workshops and events for reps to maintain and develop your skills. We have created a guide to becoming an active rep which details all you need to know about the learning and development programme - Becoming an active representative.
