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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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.
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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.
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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.
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11 Jul 2024
A focus on school nursing in Wales
Majella shares the work the RCN Wales independent sector and community advisers have been doing with school nurses in Wales.
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3 Jul 2024
RCN Wales Library for independent health and social care
How RCN Wales members working in the independent health and social care (IHSC) sector can make use of all that our library and information service has to offer.
