Nursing across Independent Health and Social Care services | Employment and pay

We蜜桃直播檙e here to support all our members, no matter what sector or setting you蜜桃直播檙e employed in.聽

A significant and growing number of our members work in independent health and social care (IHSC). This diverse group includes all nursing staff employed in settings outside the NHS. That could be care homes, nursing agencies, private hospitals or somewhere else entirely. It also includes members – such as general practice nurses – who may provide NHS services but not be employed on Agenda for Change contracts.

This page signposts you to some of our most popular resources. Many of these will be relevant to all members working in IHSC, while others are tailored to particular roles or workplaces. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch by emailing ihsc@rcn.org.uk.

Read her latest monthly blog

Key IHSC resources

Many of these will be relevant to all members working in IHSC, while others are tailored to particular roles or workplaces.

Pay, terms and conditions in IHSC

Find information about pay, terms and conditions, including resources for starting conversations with your employer and requesting a pay rise.

Two nurses using a touch screen computer on a ward

Our work for members in IHSC

Read about the different ways we support our members in IHSC and find out who蜜桃直播檚 leading this work in your country or region.

Funding opportunities for IHSC

Read our list of funding opportunities across the UK open to IHSC professionals.

A nurse outside parliament in London, holding a placard for fair pay for nurses

Our fight for fair pay in IHSC employers

View a timeline of our recent campaigns for fair pay at a range of IHSC employers.

News and Events

Here you can find out all about the latest news, read insightful member blogs and view our related IHSC upcoming exciting events held at the RCN.

News and Blogs

Read the latest online member blogs and news across all nursing specialities within independent health and social care.

Upcoming IHSC events

Register your interest to attend a range of in-person and online events held at the RCN across independent health and social care.

General nursing resources

Most of the resources on our website are relevant to all members 蜜桃直播� no matter what sector or setting you蜜桃直播檙e employed in. This includes many of our advice guides and subject guides, as well as the clinical information on RCN Learn.

Advice guides

Advice for nursing staff about problems at work, ill health, careers, legal issues, money matters, counselling, and more.

Advice guides

Subject guides

These guides provide key resources, books and journals related to various subjects and nursing specialties in your area of practice.

Subject guides

Providing you the latest nursing, health and social care learning resources, to support you with further your learning development.

Workplace-specific resources

We also have a range of resources tailored to specific roles and workplaces within IHSC. You can access these resources through the relevant forum or network:

We're here for you

If you're an RCN member who needs help with any aspect of your employment, you can access online advice or contact us directly. We're here to help 蜜桃直播� wherever you work.

Get Help

Upcoming events

53 blog posts

Keira Wallis 13 Sep 2024
It moved me to see his never-ending resilience and the trust he placed in me

Keira Wallis, Head of Clinical Operations at Healix, shares how supporting a patient through pancreatic cancer brought challenges and lifelong rewards.
Claire Sutton 23 Aug 2024
'Hear from Claire' on things health and social care

Supporting access to CPD and lifelong learning
Rebecca Watkins 29 Jul 2024
My first congress made such a positive impact on me

Nursing support worker Rebecca says her first RCN Congress was more than just an event, but a reminder of why she chose our brilliant profession.
Nichola Walmsley 23 Jul 2024
The challenges and rewards of managing overseas medical care

Nichola Walmsley, Operations Manager at Healix, discusses the complex work of handling medical treatment for patients around the world.
Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings 18 Jul 2024
Behind bars and bandages: providing care in prison

Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings, our Lead Nurses for Independent Health and Social Care in the Northern and Yorkshire and Humber regions, discuss their visit to a regional reception prison and what they learned from the nursing staff there.