Royal College of Nursing Reviews 30

I dont know why I pay the RCN.. when I needed someone to support me during a clinic restructure and working hours review.. I had one email back to say they would happily attended.. then nothing, emails were not being responded to. There was no phone number to contact on.. and dont get me started on nurses pay.. its the most pointless union.. who takes questionnaires from nurse and still no change.

Awful union. No one knows what to do so they make their own rules up. I have never been able to access any help. They do not want to take cases on because that means they’d have to actually do work. They know management at the local hospital so guess who comes up trumps in anything and everything! The NHS is well known for their management ‘buddy system’ meaning managers back managers no matter what has happened and sod the rest of the staff but it appears that the rcn also have this system. This union does not stand up for or support regular nurses. The most unhelpful, rude, and just plain discriminatory against regular nurses over manager nurses. This union does not accept or respect disabilities so literally say they can’t help. What is the point in a union who takes money off nurses but doesn’t allow anyone to access help they thought they were paying for. Appalling and awful staff. If you want more nurses, you need to start protecting and supporting them. What a completely pointless union to join. Do not bother with them!

This is BS. You will not get the support you need. I have to call them to report and report and report but in the end they will just say "we cannot support you". total bullcrap!

Widely reported in UK media that this union failed to support nurse Sandie Peggie in her case against NHS Fife Scotland.
She is suing them

I have been deeply disappointed with the support I received from the RCN. Their approach has lacked both insight and compassion, particularly in relation to an unfair referral to the NMC. Throughout this difficult process, the RCN appeared to side with the Trust in question rather than advocate for me as their member.

Unlike UNISON, who have been proactive and understanding; especially when dealing with race-induced trauma; the RCN’s handling of my case has left me feeling isolated and unsupported. I even missed an NMC hearing, which was later raised as a concern against me, yet the RCN did nothing to challenge this on my behalf.

Instead, I kept receiving reminders that I was “still under investigation” - 13 months later, with no meaningful progress or empathy. This experience has eroded my trust completely, and I will be reviewing my membership.

People working in support roles must remember to put themselves in the shoes of those they are paid to help. For many of us, these experiences have real, lasting consequences ; and it’s a precarious world to navigate without genuine advocacy.

The RCN didn't provided a good service they fully supported the NHS and wouldn't challenge them. From my prospective they appeared to cover up false information in reports about me.

Takes forever to get through to an operator via phone. I’ve been passed on to different operators and no one was willing to help resolve my query. I’ve been debited £50.46 all in one day with no proper letter or information. I am very disappointed as I don’t feel supported and feel like my money goes to waste.

Rcn is a scam..... dont give them a penny

This outfit are a bunch of hypocrites.

Today 11 August 2025 in ‘Metro.co.uk,’ referencing a nurse who was attacked at work the Royal College of Nursing says, “More needs to be done to protect NHS staff,” as nurses say they no longer feel safe treating patients in A&E.

Yet when it comes to protecting one of their own, a nurse who was called racist names and suffered an attempted assault. They have washed their hands like Pontus Pilate.

THEY ARE COMPLETELY HYPOCRITICAL.

I have sent them an email pointing this out, but I’m not holding my breath for a reply.

My daughter was in hospital and the service she got was atrocious if nurses want more money make sure they work for it. Not say you will have to wait for jug of water hour later or go to toilet. Everyone stressed when their stood at nurses station laughing and joking for 20minutes no wonder hospitals have bad feedback because of staff.

PPP: p##S poor performance.

PAY: Fail to push for better pay where the BMA for doctor's were very successful. Fail to co-ordinate with other unions.

INDEMNITY: Fail to support you, they have a very high record of members losing their registration and job when compared to indemnity that protects doctors. Better to use an indemnity insurance that are well regarded. If you are an ACP, try MDDUS.

EMPLOYMENT DISPUTES: Advice is always to escalate with the most extreme tactics with the aim to shock employers with formal meetings and in-person RCN representation. (p.s they cant promise to attend your meeting, leaving you alone after requesting a formal investigation/meeting). They fail to advise members to resolve issues with simple or less aggressive techniques that would be more appropriate to certain situations.

AVAILABILITY. You maybe waiting a very very long time on the phone to speak to the operator and may never receive follow up emails from advisors.

SUMMARY: Not worth the money they are paid

My (ex) company had bullying, lying, belittling and harassment ongoing. After whistle blowing, I had unrelated allegations put agains me.
RCN had no advice regarding the bullying and whistleblowing. After complaining about the lack of support, I was given minimal assistance.
I have repeatedly requested LEGAL advice, repeatedly refused by RCN.
If you work for the nhs, RCN is great. If you work for a private healthcare, you're wasting your time and trust.

Review of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN)

Dear nurses across the UK,

Please be cautious about who you choose to represent you, especially during these challenging times of staff shortages. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which is meant to advocate for our rights and working conditions, has repeatedly failed to provide the support we desperately need.

Many members have found that when seeking representation, RCN does not take the time to properly understand individual cases. Instead of offering informed guidance, they often leave nurses feeling lost, misled, and unsupported. At a time when our profession is under immense pressure, we need a union that listens, fights for us effectively, and prioritizes our needs.

If you are a member, consider whether your interests are truly being represented. If you are looking for support, be aware that the RCN may not always have the time or dedication to handle your case properly. The nursing profession deserves better advocacy and leadership, particularly during this critical period.
Stay informed and make the best choice for your career and well-being.
Kind regards,
Ana-Maria

It takes up to an hour to get through to anyone on the phone. I has told on Friday then again on Monday that a steward would be in touch to discuss a new case. I am still waiting at 11am on a Monday. Now I have to go to work. I really don't know who to turn to now as I feel so let down by my colleagues who really should know better. As soon as this case is done, I am leaving.

I am a bank nurse we are always asked to vote for a salary increase together with substantive staff.
But when the substantive staff receives their increases we are left out.

I’m telling all the bank nurses don’t waste your votes as we are used as Guinea pigs.

The RCN also failed to solve my pension problem.

Very incompetent

Sought advice from the North West office regarding workplace matters. North West RCN representatives provided no advice what so ever, refused to answer emails, complained to their managers if they received emails from me and went having chats with NHS managers about me without informing me. Case was wrongly closed and since found evidence they were in cahoots with NHS managers. After six years a member I won’t be providing another penny to this union.

I was being discriminated at placement I phoned the rcn and they advised me to to go students union my whole career has been ruined as I had no one to listen to me or help me I was first put in placement and my assessor treated me unfairly I told the uni she was goin to fail me and I was sent to the same placement again with the same assessor and she failed me I was a first year student and being told learn year 2 work when you start uni they tell you once you have a membership u can ask us for help I have been always better off with unison who actually have helped and adviced me with work related things I am also dyslexic I was not given a chance to do anything plus have been a senior carer for 10years

This isn’t the Royal College I signed up to with great pride when I qualified in late 1970s. I have remained a member but apart from the online library have great doubts about its other services. Apart from brief and helpful information on a couple occasions from RCN Direct, I have never received any useful career advice or support when requested.

I've been a member of RCN for 10 years and paying fee and unnecessary fee of subscriptions monthly. When I contacted them by phone it took me 4 hours to get a response. The issue I'm enquiring from them is my zero hours status and unfortunately they CAN NOT HELP

I joined the RCN in college. They never told me they were a left wing protest group and would spend my money complaining about the government. If you try calling them, they don't answer. I wanted a Union who will answer employment issues and i got a political campaigning party. I'm going to have to phone ACAS since these people are too busy campaigning to see to their members needs.