Nursing across independent health and social care Â
WeÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re here to support all our members, no matter what sector or setting youÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re employed in.Â
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.
Key IHSC resources
Pay, terms and conditions in IHSC
Our work for members in IHSC
Funding opportunities for IHSC
Our fight for fair pay in IHSC employers
News and Events
News and Blogs
Upcoming IHSC events
General nursing resources
Most of the resources on our website are relevant to all members ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ no matter what sector or setting youÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re 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.
Subject guides
These guides provide key resources, books and journals related to various subjects and nursing specialties in your area of practice.
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 ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ wherever you work.
Upcoming events
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23 Nov 2023
The student, the nursing support worker and the mysterious poly bag
Today is all about celebrating and recognising the contribution nursing support workers make across health and care services. I remember my first few weeks as a student nurse working in a medical ward.
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17 Nov 2023
The benefits of a roundtable discussion - and a care home provider success story
Why independent sector nursing staff should attend our roundtable discussions - and how one care home provider successfully negotiated funding for their health care support workers to study nursing with the Open University while continuing employment in their workplace.
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17 Oct 2023
RCN NI Independent Sector Runner-Up Award
I am proud to say that my journey to achieving change in nursing homes has resulted in recognition of my hard work and dedication. I was honoured to receive the RCN NI Independent Sector Runner-Up Award.
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12 Oct 2023
With age comes wisdom (apparently)
Vicky Sandy-Davis, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in the West Midlands, discusses her career in learning disability nursing and how she came to work at the RCN.
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3 Oct 2023
The role of the Independent Health and Social Care Lead Nurse
My role as Independent Health and Social Care Lead Nurse at RCN Northern Ireland role is exciting and diverse.