Membership rates
You can join the RCN for as little as £0.84 a month. You'll get a huge range of benefits, including workplace representation and support and access to our confidential advice service.
Membership fee increase from 1 September 2024
After 10 years of freezing our membership fees, we’re making a small increase to the amount we ask members to pay for our many services and benefits. This change will take effect from 1 September 2024, but will only be implemented upon your membership renewal date.
Read our frequently asked questions to learn more about the membership fee changes.
Current fees:
| Type | Rate | Tax Relief* |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse | ||
| First year discount (for newly registered nurses in first year of registration with the NMC) | £98.43 | £78.74 |
| Career break and maternity leave | £10 | n/a** |
| Full (for registered nurses and midwives) | £196.85 | £157.48 |
| Joint educational (for those working in a role recognised by UCU or EIS) | £147.64 | £118.11 |
| Joint RCM Membership (nurses and midwives can join both the RCN and RCM) | £98.43 | £78.74 |
| Retired (registered nurses and midwives who have now retired from nursing) | £10 | n/a** |
| Nursing Support Worker | ||
| First year discount | £49.21 | £39.37 |
| Career break and maternity leave | £10 | n/a** |
| Full (from second year of NSW membership) | £98.43 | £78.74 |
| Retired (for retired NSWs) | £10 | n/a** |
| Student | ||
| Full | £10 | n/a** |
| Type | Rate | Tax Relief* |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse | ||
| First year discount (for newly registered nurses in first year of registration with the NMC) | £8.20 | £6.56 |
| Career break and maternity leave | £0.84 | n/a** |
| Full (for registered nurses and midwives) | £16.40 | £13.12 |
| Joint educational (for those working in a role recognised by UCU or EIS) | £12.30 | £9.84 |
| Joint RCM Membership (nurses and midwives can join both the RCN and RCM) | £8.20 | £6.56 |
| Retired (registered nurses and midwives who have now retired from nursing) | £0.84 | n/a** |
| Nursing Support Worker | ||
| First year discount | £4.10 | £3.28 |
| Career break and maternity leave | £0.84 | n/a** |
| Full (from second year of NSW membership) | £8.20 | £6.56 |
| Retired (for retired NSWs) | £0.84 | n/a** |
| Student | ||
| Full | £0.84 | n/a** |
* tax relief may vary depending on the tax situation of each member
** tax relief would be available if a member is paying basic rate tax
Join the UK's largest union and professional body for nursing
Whether you're a nurse, midwife, HCA, AP or student, you can get a huge range of benefits when you join the RCN.
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions of membership are set out in the following documents:
Definitions of Membership (PDF)
Membership Policy and process (PDF)
Further information 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.
