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Celebrating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Nursing: Spotlight on Our Rising Stars

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Are you (or will you be) working under a contract of employment?

Please read section 2 of the indemnity terms and conditions for background if you need it.

If you're not sure whether you're an employee, you should ask for a copy of your contract and seek clarification from your manager without delay. 

If you're sure, select Yes or No below:




Contracts of employment

If you work under a contract of employment, you should not need to arrange your own indemnity cover.

Your employer has vicarious liability (in other words, is responsible) for your actions and omissions at work and should provide appropriate indemnity cover for you. It is not appropriate for your employer to try to shift that responsibility, either onto you as an employee or onto the RCN as your union. This applies whether you work for the NHS or a private employer and as a result, the RCN scheme will not cover work undertaken under a contract of employment.

There is one very specific exception to this - where employed members provide paid-for travel vaccinations in a General Practice setting. See this news story for more.

If your employer is refusing to provide cover for you, please contact us on 0345 772 6100. 

 

We're still here for you

Membership of the world’s largest nursing union means so much more than indemnity cover. You can still access a wide range of other services including workplace support, learning resources, professional forums and member discounts.

In particular, you can still access:

  • advice and support following employment difficulties (such as disciplinary proceedings, contractual disputes, dismissals, discrimination)
  • advice and representation before the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
  • resources and support with your professional development (including areas such as revalidation and support for health care assistants)
  • legal support with criminal proceedings arising in the course of employment
  • legal support if you have an accident – anywhere, at any time.

So, even if you don’t need RCN indemnity, we’re still here for you.



Are you (or will you be) in the right category of RCN membership?

There are three main categories of RCN membership:

  • Nurse (full or first year discount; for nurses and midwives)
  • Health Practitioner (full or first year discount; for health care assistants, assistant practitioners, Nursing Associates and other support workers)
  • Student (for student nurses, student midwives and nursing degree apprentices) 

Within each category, there are sub-categories.

The following sub-categories do not include RCN indemnity cover as a benefit:

  • Voluntary break
  • Retired
  • Joint educational membership (between the RCN and the RCM/UCU/EIS; please check your eligibility for indemnity cover with them).

If you’re unsure, you can check your membership at www.rcn.org.uk/myrcn.



Need to change your membership category?

Please call one of our Member Consultants on 0345 772 6100, 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 email us at membership@rcn.org.uk. 

We're still here for you

Membership of the world’s largest nursing union means so much more than indemnity cover. So, if you don't want to change your membership category you can still access a wide range of other services including learning resources, professional forums and member discounts.

In particular, you can still access:

So, even if you don’t qualify for RCN indemnity, we’re still here for you.


Are you (or will you be) an agency or bank worker?

Indemnity for bank or agency work

Please read our indemnity terms and conditions, particularly section 3: Working on a self-employed basis or running your own business and the sections around agency/bank work. Please note in particular the information about umbrella companies. 

 

You’ll also need to ensure you meet all of the conditions of the scheme (see section 5) and none of the exclusions apply to your work (see section 6). 

 

Finally, you need to ensure you are providing a health and social care service that is deemed acceptable under the RCN scheme. You can find out more about what this means in sections 7 and 8 of our indemnity terms and conditions. 

Requests for ‘proof of RCN indemnity’

There isn’t a specific policy number for RCN indemnity - like you would have for home or car insurance. Provided you satisfy our eligibility criteria, all you need is a letter from us confirming your RCN membership and a copy of our indemnity terms and conditions. The combination of these two documents should be sufficient.

Visit MyRCN now to view and download written confirmation of your membership.


Are you self-employed or running your own business?

Indemnity for self-employed work

Please read our indemnity terms and conditions, particularly section 3: Working on a self-employed basis or running your own business.

You’ll also need to ensure you meet all of the conditions of the scheme (see section 5) and none of the exclusions apply to your work (see section 6).

Finally, you need to ensure you are providing a health and social care service that is deemed acceptable under the RCN scheme. You can find out more about what this means in sections 7 and 8 of our indemnity terms and conditions.

Requests for ‘proof of RCN indemnity’

There isn’t a specific policy number for RCN indemnity - like you would have for home or car insurance. Provided you satisfy our eligibility criteria, all you need is a letter from us confirming your RCN membership and a copy of our indemnity terms and conditions. The combination of these two documents should be sufficient.

Visit MyRCN now to view and download written confirmation of your membership.


Are you (or will you be) undertaking voluntary work?

Indemnity for voluntary work

Please read our indemnity terms and conditions, particularly section 4: Voluntary work.

You’ll also need to ensure you meet all of the conditions of the scheme (see section 5) and none of the exclusions apply to your work (see section 6).

Finally, you need to ensure you are providing a health and social care service that is deemed acceptable under the RCN scheme. You can find out more about what this means in sections 7 and 8 of our indemnity terms and conditions. 

Requests for ‘proof of RCN indemnity’

There isn’t a specific policy number for RCN indemnity - like you would have for home or car insurance. Provided you satisfy our eligibility criteria, all you need is a letter from us confirming your RCN membership and a copy of our indemnity terms and conditions. The combination of these two documents should be sufficient. 

Visit MyRCN now to view and download written confirmation of your membership.


Need to check you're covered by the RCN indemnity scheme?

Answer a few questions to find out whether you're eligible for RCN indemnity cover.


Find out more about RCN indemnity

Here we address some common questions and misconceptions about the RCN indemnity scheme.

You can also read the full terms and conditions of the scheme here.


Are you undertaking a student placement?

This includes both:

  • members in the Student category of membership undertaking work placements, and
  • full members undertaking postgraduate study (through an educational institution) to gain a qualification in health care or a NMC approved Return to Practice course.

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RCN nursing union leader Nicola Ranger

We're committed to designing a pay structure that more appropriately recognises the knowledge and responsibilities of the nursing profession.

We know that NHS pay sets a standard for nursing staff in all settings. So, getting this right for the NHS is important for the independent health and social care sectors too.

Read more

Professor Nicola Ranger RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive
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We are the world's largest nursing union and professional body

We are over half a million nurses, midwives, nursing support workers and students working together to advance our profession.

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Two member of nursing staff looking at a screen

2016 was our first time exhibiting at the RCN Congress and we were very impressed. The layout of the stands and the space between them was spot on and I feel helped to generate a relaxed, friendly, collaborative atmosphere. The range of delegates was broad and we generated a significant interest in our Lone Working solution at all levels leading to a good number of meetings with Trusts since Congress. As a company, as opposed to a Trust, the gaps between sessions gave us time to talk to other exhibitors and Trusts which was also really beneficial.

Jobtrac+ RCN Congress 2016
Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Carol Popplestone, Chair of RCN Council Dr Denise Chaffer, RCN President Rachel Hollis FRCN, Chair of Professional Nursing Committee Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England Cecilia Anim CBE, past RCN President Dr Peter Carter OBE FRCN, former RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive

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