Its not a case of get an IMC and off you go. Like with most things in aviation as in the initial PPL its a licence to start learning.
The IMC rating was constructed as a get you out of trouble thing not a mini IR. Yes experienced IMC pilots do use it as a mini IR and are safe doing so because of that experience not the rating.
So do beware of getting the IMCR and then thinking you can set off in most weather because you will not be trained to the standard to do so and will not have the experience to do so.
We had a long thread on the subject and while used as it was designed to be used the IMCR does enhance safety do not confuse it with a full instrument rating.
Pace