Nursing across independent health and social care
We’re here to support all our members, no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in.
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 – no matter what sector or setting you’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.
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 – wherever you work.
Upcoming events
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blog posts
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26 May 2023
Personal reflections on winning the RCN Nurse of the Year Independent Sector Award 2022
Winning an award in recognition of work accomplished is indeed the highlight of any career, but I would add that winning when you are least expecting it makes it even more incredible!
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26 May 2023
What it means to be an RCN NI Network Lead
I joined the RCN membership in September 1983 as a pupil nurse and have maintained my membership throughout my nursing career. However, my engagement levels increased after I attended “The Leading For Care” programme in 2013.
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26 May 2023
Celebrating Nurses’ Day the Care Home way
Earlier this month nursing staff across the world celebrated international nurses’ day, the anniversary of Florence Nightingales birth and an opportunity to recognise and showcase the important contribution nursing staff make.
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11 May 2023
Forever grateful for my YTS experience
I’ve been a qualified nurse for 31 years. I originally wanted to be a policewoman, but I hated sixth form as all my friends had left school, so I left too and joined a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) working in a nursing home.
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13 Apr 2023
"My hamster died"
Introducing Rian Gleave, our new Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in the South East.
