Membership FAQs

What are the benefits of RCN membership?

Read more about nurse membership

Read more about newly registered nurse membership

Read more about student membership

Read more about nursing support worker membership

Are you an international nursing professional working in the UK, or looking to come to the UK to work? Read more about the support available to international nursing members here

How can I join the RCN?

The easiest way is to join online where you can choose to pay via monthly or annual Direct Debit, or by card. Alternatively, you can call our Member Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 - choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.

What are the membership subscription rates?

The membership rates are explained on our subscription rates page, and depend on what type of membership you require.

If you pay for your RCN membership by Direct Debit we will automatically renew your membership each year. If you pay for your membership by card or cheque each year, then you can renew online at www.rcn.org.uk/renew.

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 our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.

If you'd prefer you can contact us via our online enquiry form. 

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. 

Why do I have more than one Direct Debit reference?

You may have more than one Direct Debit reference for the RCN:

• If you change membership categories or payment plans we will issue a new Direct Debit reference to your bank for payments related to the new category or plan.
• Your bank might also inform you of the reference. You don't need to do anything if they do. Your RCN membership will continue as normal.
• You'll have a separate reference for each RCN product. For example, if you pay for RCN membership and an RCNi journal you'll have two separate references.
• Old Direct Debit references will remain visible on your list of Direct Debits. It will be inactive and we will not use this again. If you want to cancel it to remove it from your account, you can do this with your bank.

If we have problems with setting up the new reference, or collecting your Direct Debit payment, we'll contact you. 

How can I change my bank account details?

You can change the bank account details we hold for your Direct Debit payments by calling our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding 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?

Please call one of our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding 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?

Currently we only offer one payment date, which is on the first working day of each month. Payment can be collected within three working days if, for example the first of the month falls on a weekend or Bank Holiday.

What date are Direct Debits taken from my account?

Direct Debits for membership, RCNi 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.

How much will my first membership payment be?

Depending on when in a calendar month you join us, your first Direct Debit may be larger than usual as we need 10 working days' notice to set up a Direct Debit with your bank. Once this payment is collected, your Direct Debit will then revert to the standard monthly change for your membership category. We will send you an email detailing your payment schedule confirming this. All our Direct Debits are collected on the first working day of every month.

If you have any concerns or queries, please contact our Customer Support Team on 0345 772 6100, option 1 (Monday to Friday 8.30am - 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays) and we will be happy to help.

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 and when the payment is due you can renew online at www.rcn.org.uk/renew

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 online at www.rcnfoundation.org.uk or set up a regular donation via Direct Debit by calling our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.

How can change my address and/or contact details?

You can do this yourself in MyRCN, contact us via our online enquiry form or call us on 0345 772 6100 (option 1) Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8.30pm, excluding 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 you can get in touch via our online enquiry form. You can also use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of emails from us or call our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding 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.

I'm retiring from work. Is there a reduced subscription?

You can transfer to a retired membership plan (retired from all nursing employment or unable to work through ill-health) which costs £10 a year. 

Please call our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate. If you'd prefer you can contact us via our online enquiry form.  

I’m taking a break from work (for example for maternity leave or going overseas). Is there a reduced subscription?

Yes, see our career break and maternity leave FAQs.

If you wish to change your membership, call our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate. If you'd prefer, you can contact us via our online enquiry form.  

I work part-time, can I pay a reduced subscription? 

We do not offer a reduced subscription for members working part-time. 

Can 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.

Can 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 our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 who will be happy to help. Choose option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.

Just so you know, we are not able to give financial advice and you should contact your accountant or financial adviser should you require further advice.

I can't log in as I've forgotten my password

Reset your password here.

I'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.  

How 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

How can I subscribe to, change or cancel a RCNi journal subscription?

You can subscribe to and upgrade RCNi journals online at journals.rcni.com. If you would like to cancel your RCNi journal subscription please email the customer service team at customerservice@rcni.com. 

Do 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 our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726 100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays). This call will be charged at a local rate.

If you are an executor or next of kin wishing to notify us of the death of an RCN member you can call our Customer Support Team on 0345 7726100 choosing option 1 for membership (Monday to Friday 8.30am - 8.30pm excluding Bank Holidays).  Alternatively, you can let us know via email using our contact us form.

RCN advice service - advice for members on a range of employment issues, and more

RCN 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 regional and country offices - find out what's happening in your area

RCN publications - view all 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.