Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Now ye're talking - to a Nurse

1246789

Comments

  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    With regard to the strike, have you had any negative reaction from people 'in real life' - particularly patients and their families (who actually witness the work you do, day in, day out), or is that sort of unpleasantness confined to a minority of malcontents on the internet, none of whom have ever expressed a nice opinion in their lives?

    I have seen one negative reaction whilst out picketing which was an old man tutting at us. Everyone I have come across outside and in work has offered their support. Many parents have commented that that agree with the strike as many of them have spent plenty of time in hospital and understand why it is happening.
    Afollower wrote: »
    Are the INMO and PNA Nurses getting paid while on strike? I've heard rumours that they are and, if so, it is very peculiar. I have never before heard of Union members on an official strike getting paid by their employer.

    So, a straight answer would be welcome please - are the Nurses who are striking getting paid?

    Here is your straight answer. No.

    I will not get paid for any strike days. The strike committee members do not get paid. I think the majority of nurses including myself are worried about this but I think the time for us to try and make a difference is here and we need to try our hardest to try and improve things for our patients and our future nurses....


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭jlm29


    Nurses want pay parity with our colleagues who do the same length degree as us and we also use skills they use......
    ....... There is also the fact that nurses have increased responsibility


    In what way do you feel you have more responsibility than your AHP colleagues?


  • Registered Users Posts: 126 ✭✭shellycub


    You're account of your experience on the picket line really moved me. I am glad you are having good experiences and can feel supported by colleagues and public. I don't have a question just wanted to offer my support also. Being a nurse is a vocation, not everyone is cut out for it and you should feel appreciated for the great work ye do x


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,800 ✭✭✭tretorn


    hawkelady wrote: »
    They are not !! Why would you think they get paid while on strike ffs.
    They’ll get paid the union day rate which is approx €50

    The question isn’t addressed to you.

    It’s been asked three times and not been replied to yet.

    Are nurses being paid full salary while on strike.


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    Do you believe all nurses are caring/kind?
    We often hear in the media about the nurses being lovely and kind/etc and most of them are. Do you ever encounter nurses who aren't?
    I know a good few nurses my age late twenties.
    Some just wanted to go to UCC(sort of keeping up with the Joneses) and it was sort of a job for life in a way and they'd threat people quite badly in reality.
    I'd also note most of the nurses I've encountered are lovely and kind.
    Do you think some people shouldn't have become nurses? Yes/No and Why?

    I do not believe every nurse is kind and caring no. Like every single walk of life you will always have bad eggs. I experienced some horrific care towards a family member last year. Thankfully that was something I have not witnessed in my career up until then. Of course, in those years i have absolutely encountered nurses who weren't very nice or caring and in my opinion were not suited to nursing at all.

    Thankfully I have never worked directly alongside nasty or horrible nurses. I have worked with some of the most amazing nurses... the most caring men and women. I have of course worked directly alongside people that I haven't liked but I don't think i've ever worked directly alongside with someone I wouldn't trust looking after a family member.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 9,606 ✭✭✭gctest50


    tretorn wrote: »

    It’s been asked three times and not been replied to yet.

    Are nurses being paid full salary while on strike.





    So I have done 3 days on the picket line so far.... and no... I will not be getting paid for any days I strike!

    ....

    .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,653 ✭✭✭✭Plumbthedepths


    tretorn wrote:
    It’s been asked three times and not been replied to yet.


    #93 have a read.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 547 ✭✭✭Duffryman




    I don't know how to answer this to be honest.


    All I'll say here is that this nurse, whoever she (or he) is, deserves great credit for a whole series of reasoned and honest answers, including this one to my own query, which I for one have not actually heard answered anywhere during the entire time of this dispute.


    Whatever you think of the nurses or their claim and actions, I say big fair play to this nurse for putting herself (or himself!) in the spotlight here and fielding all these questions.


    For the record, I'd acknowledge without question that nursing is a tough job, that the vast majority of nurses are hugely appreciated by their patients and the patients' families, and that in an ideal world, they'd be paid more for what they do.


    But I still wonder about some aspects of their action and the arguments being put forward on their behalf. And in particular, I'll go back to my question here, and wonder if anybody anywhere has ever actually proposed how or where money to fund a pay raise would be fund. To me, that's one of the biggest questions of all, but nobody arguing for that pay raise seems to be willing to address it.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 547 ✭✭✭Duffryman


    I do not believe every nurse is kind and caring no. Like every single walk of life you will always have bad eggs.

    ...and just as I was writing that post, here's an example of the kind of honesty I'm talking about.

    If any non-nurse said this in normal conversation, they'd be shot down immediately by most people. But at least this nurse acknowledges that they're not all absolute angels.

    Again, whoever you are, I greatly admire your honesty.


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    KevRossi wrote: »
    We often hear about the over staffing in middle management in the HSE. Can you give some specific examples and how this affects you and your colleagues?

    FWIW I had a lot of experiences dealing with a sick parent a few years ago. He was often in hospital. I thought ye were almost all excellent, but overworked, and excessive administration that could be made more efficient.

    But I'd like to hear more about the issues that concern overstaffing in management.

    Thanks

    KevRossi, please don't hate me!! I know there is all this talk about the middle management and I am sure there are many people in jobs that could be utilised better elsewhere, however.... I can't think of anyone that isn't necessary that I currently work with. Yes there are more specialist positions within nursing which makes them managers, there are many many admin where I work but they are always busy. Maybe it's just the areas I have worked as they have all been busy or specialised areas but every single staff member was required to ensure things could run as good as possible. In my previous job we could have done with more admin in our actual department but now when I think back maybe there were a few that would be around the odd time not looking too busy :pac::eek:
    tretorn wrote: »
    Are you being paid while you are on strike.

    I

    No. No payment.
    Do you have a bedside locker? Whats in your bedside locker?

    How much is membership of your union a year?

    My bedside locker is full of secret stuff.... sorry.... i mean my secret sweet stash!! I comfort eat chocolate!

    PNA membership is about 280 and INMO is 299


  • Advertisement
  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    Edward M wrote: »
    Fair enough, I have a two nieces who are nurses, one is heading to dubai in April for the same reason you state.
    Do you think the percentage wage increase being sought would be enough to overcome that issue though, be enough to make a difference as to getting a mortgage for a house?

    I hope it would be. I think it may mean people would be tempted to stay put in Ireland, particularly those travelling to the UK. I think it may attract nurses over to Ireland from other countries which would help greatly in our staffing crises. I think people may be able to actually save a bit which would be great.

    I just hope that out of this strike we end up with more nurses :o I left my old job completely and utterly burned out.... that was due to short staffing and being overworked of course but I had complete compassion fatigue. I felt that no matter what I did it was never ever enough. It was so exhausting just dealing with feeling like a failure every day. I just hope people are more inclined to stay here or want to come work here.


  • Registered Users Posts: 23,179 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    Hi theteal,

    As I have answered above I have never went abroad. The only things I know are from friends and family who work abroad. I know that in the UK Irish trained nurses get up the ladder pretty quick due to qualifications and their own staffing issues there. I know that the level of responsibility in the UK is pretty much like it is here again due to short staffing and demands on the system there. In saying that, the UK has other staff to facilitate nurses such as nurses aids who do many tasks such as vital signs and cannulation.

    All those that went to the Middle East enjoy the amount of staff they have, have safe nurse to patient ratios (as does oz) and have many perks such as housing etc.

    That’s common with all employment in those countries it’s not just nurses.

    With 49 days of BREXIT an event that could see serious financial difficulties to Ireland why do nurses think it’s a good time to look for a pay increase especially considering they have signed up to a pay restoration deal.

    Do you nurses honestly think that all other public servants won’t look for an increase?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭ Molly Bitter Zebra


    You said staffing was an issue and yet when I was in a clinic in James's last week there were 2 nurses handing out charts to doctors, weighing people and sending them for an ECG.
    This is clerical officer work.
    Multiply this across all the clinics a hospital has...

    What's the rationale in this ? It's bonkers.


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    How can you walk outside on strike when people with cancer and others with serious life threatening illness are forced to wait and have very serious operations and appointments being cancelled due to this strike? Don't you feel embarrassed by this ? or ashamed?


    Will you admit that if other staff - not nurses- did blood pressure rounds, etc. that many nurses would be freed up and there wouldn't be a shortage??? There are many roles that don't necessarily need a fully trained nurse?

    You unfortunately do not understand the upset it causes nurses to hear something like that. We want more staff to provide better patient care.People who have had surgeries cancelled have joined picket lines... those amazing men and women who still manage to support us. Nurses cannot give their all to the patients when we are over worked, understaffed and exhausted with increasing responsibility. Some nurses are putting their pin on the line nearly every shift due to conditions.

    I do want to add to that.. Nurses ARE still on the wards. We are still providing patient care. The wards in my hospital are staffed. Emergency surgeries are still going ahead. Other planned surgeries have gone ahead on the strike days as it was agreed in advance. Oncology services are still going ahead as well as many others.

    Surgeries and appointments are cancelled EVERY single day. It is an unfortunate fact that cannot be blamed on nurses as there have only been 3 strike days so far.

    I have worked sick/injured numerous times. I worked the day after an immediate family member died. That is how much I care about my patients and my colleagues and I am not alone. If you think nurses want to be out on a picket line you are wrong and we are all saddened that this is what it has come to.

    With regards to your other point. Care assistants do a fetec course in which they learn how to take vital signs. That is all well in good and a great help, however, taking a blood pressure is not simply pressing a button and writing down the numbers. It is about understanding what those numbers represent. It is the knowledge that nurses gain through college and experience that teaches them this. You need to know what to do if a blood pressure is off baseline for that patient, you need to know what medications are required or which need to be held depending on the reading. I have immediate family members who are carers, they have done this course yet do not feel confident to do vital signs. Yes there are things like taking bloods etc that care assistants could be trained to do but then who take over their already full list of jobs that they must get through? Are you going to hire and train a number of staff to do all these extra jobs?


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,447 ✭✭✭Calhoun


    Yes I do. I feel that people are not seeing the bigger picture and I don't blame them. What is being put out in the media is money focused and everything is being shown in a bad light from what I can see. Nurses want pay parity with our colleagues who do the same length degree as us and we also use skills they use. Nurses want more staff and one way to attract more and keep them may be more money but the realistic side is they have tried to recruit and retain which is not happening which has led to this in my opinion. There is also the fact that nurses have increased responsibility and more demands. We work an extra day for free every 4-6 weeks as per the current agreement. It is so upsetting to see a poor public opinion because people simple don't understand where we are coming from.

    And yes I think a mandatory term of service might be a good idea and should be looked into further. Even if it was a delayed term for a certain time which could be followed up I think it is an area that should be investigated. There are courses where you do have a mandatory term of service to pay back and it does keep people there for the year which is great.

    First thank you for your honest answer, the reason i suspect i like many others are asking is because i know as part of your education a large investment was made into the system to get nurses to the education level they currently are at. With the media doing prominent highlights of nurses abroad with their placards about not coming home the question has to be asked why are we funding people throwing it back in our faces.

    Then on the other hand you have a nurse who rang into Joe Duffy (2 days ago i think), she was in a Brussels hospital getting hip surgery done because she couldn't get it done on time here before it would become a permanent disability. How the **** do we have a system where a nurse of 30 years cannot get surgery so she can go back to the job she loves.

    I do hope they can come up with a solution that works for the nurses and doesn't kick off a landslide of other pay increases.


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    VeryTerry wrote: »
    Do you find it galling that after so long in college that the likes of the lads that spent the same amount of time in the Smurfit Business School think you should be happy working for a fraction of what they hope to make?

    Just to add, up the nurses!

    I think its galling that anyone thinks nurses should be happy with what they earn without having a full understanding of what being a nurse can entail. I literally have had peoples lives in my hands. I have supported and looked after so many patient's that I couldn't even begin to count how many people I have looked after through the years. Nurses have taken on so much responsibility throughout the years and I think its the lack of recognition for that that is most apparent.
    People think nurses don't deserve anymore as they don't know what a nurse actually does day to day. When people see how much nurses are required their opinion changes.... That was more of a rant than I expected :eek::o Sorry!

    And thank you for your support :)
    You should take your insightful knowledge and suggestions to the Labour court. The first part of your comment sounds strangely like emotional blackmail, your anger is directed at the wrong quarter tbh.

    Thank you Plumbthedepths :)


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    tretorn wrote: »
    I thought you were broke though.
    Would that be two hundred extra into your hand for doing four extra shifts a month. That would be a lot of money to someone earning ten euros an hour.

    How much are carers paid, do they do the toiletting work and the changing of soiled sheets etc. Will the nurses look for them to get extra money too, what union are the Carers in.

    I work 5 days a week, in my personal opinion, I do not feel I could provide safe care if I worked extra shifts due to tiredness.

    In my old job when I worked a 3 or 4 day week I would have done the odd bank shift but not 4 as it's not worth it after tax.

    As for your second point, yes nurses and carers both do toileting and changing of soiled sheets. I absolutely would support them if they were to look for more money. Most care assistants are incredible and I don't know how I would have made it through many days without carers working alongside me. As for a union, my family members are with siptu.
    racso1975 wrote: »
    Why do ye all love Coppers so much???

    I defo don't! I think its cause there are so many culchies in nursing though :pac::D
    hawkelady wrote: »
    You’d do 4 shifts for €200 .. ? One shift is 12 hrs ffs .... you would in your .......!!

    Op , fair play to you .. you deserve your rise and better conditions.


    Thank you hawkelady, its just how it works after tax. you are better off doing 1 maybe 2 but not 4!


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,643 ✭✭✭storker


    Duffryman wrote: »
    ...and just as I was writing that post, here's an example of the kind of honesty I'm talking about.

    If any non-nurse said this in normal conversation, they'd be shot down immediately by most people. But at least this nurse acknowledges that they're not all absolute angels.

    Again, whoever you are, I greatly admire your honesty.

    I'm a non-nurse who would say this...but I obtained the information from my wife, who is a nurse. :)


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    tretorn wrote: »
    No one is going to come out with fifty euros per shift if its twelve hours long.

    I know a nurse who worked one Saturday and she got 120 euros extra on top of her normal pay.

    She said Im not working Saturdays again either for 120 euros extra. If someone is genuinely struggling they would take the opportunity to get a normal days pay plus 120 euros for over time.

    You do come out worse off from tax? you don't earn 50 gross. And you are in a way correct, 1 shift works out better after tax

    tretorn wrote: »
    Also what do your Physio Therapists colleagues and your Dietician colleagues think about you looking to be paid the same as them.

    Are they happy about you demanding parity.

    Everyone I have talked to has said they are in support of the strike action and pay parity. Our colleagues know that nurses are the ones who refer, who assist them and who carry out assessments and provide aids etc when they are not there such as evenings, nights and weekends. We have had a lot of colleagues who are not nurses on the picket line with us or bringing in cake and stuff to show their support... including a Dietician who should become a professional baker..... her cakes were that good!!


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    AudiAvant wrote: »
    One question I would love to know
    How do you shut your brain off after a hard day in work?
    I mean overthinking about how your day was?
    You must see things that live long in the memory

    Hi AudiAvant,

    Great question.
    This has been a difficult thing for me to learn. I have only learned in recent times how to switch my brain off and it helps that I am in a job I absolutely love right now that is very different to any previous jobs.
    I worked in an Emergency Department where I had my fair share of experiences/sights that will never leave my memory, however, I have learned to mostly deal with them since I left there. I did leave completely burned out and struggling for a while with how I felt.
    I am a massive advocate for looking after yourself when nursing(despite not practicing what I preach). I tell students to do so and I always pass on the advice to new Emergency Nurses to put aside 1 day off for sleep as it is so exhausting.
    I debrief with my mum regularly. My husband is in no way medical and it actually helps that he doesn't want to hear about stuff!!
    I regularly talk through things with nursing friends who I no longer work with but trust.
    I say I have only learned this recently... prior to that I comfort ate, slept and watched mind numbing tv.... pure escapism! :pac:


  • Advertisement
  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    seannash wrote: »
    In terms of the pay abroad it seems that the countries listed are paying well above what they are paid in Ireland in most fields. It's not exclusive to nursing.
    Construction, hairdressing, managerial roles all paying very good salaries in comparison to Ireland so I think it's more of a case that everyone is paid more abroad not just nurses so in a way every industry is facing that wage fight.

    I do think the work is very tough in Ireland in comparison to others countries but my gf would be on a similar wage to yourself after spending the same amount of time in college. It's not a fantastic salary but it is a good wage for early 30s
    I guess the frustration might be that you can't control your wage by seeking a better job in Ireland. The rate is the rate and that's it where as others can move jobs and receive and increase in pay.

    I don't think that's it really. I think it's more to do with how autonomous and skilled nurses have become and that isn't recognised? I do agree, it's a better wage than my husband who earns just over half of what I do (public servant)
    Whats harder to deal with, a boo boo or an owie?

    For sure and owie :D
    khaldrogo wrote: »
    My wife is a nurse. She qualified as a general nurse and then went on to retrain as a midwife. While working as a midwife she was responsible for 12 mothers and 12 babies!!! This is crazy in my opinion.
    That said, she earned a decent wage and never complained that she should be getting paid more. She did, however, regularly complain about the lack of staff. She has since moved to private medicine and will never go back.

    Would you agree with me that the nurses striking at the moment would probably not be doing so if there was more staff? As in, the lack of staff is more of an issue than the money.

    Absolutely would agree. I do think that recognition of the skill set and responsibilities of nurses and midwives should be taken into consideration as they are expanding massively without any benefit really, however, that would probably never have even become an issue if recruitment and retention had actually been sorted before now.

    Well done to your wife. Glad she is happy where she is and best of luck to her :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 41 AudiAvant


    Hi AudiAvant,

    Great question.
    This has been a difficult thing for me to learn. I have only learned in recent times how to switch my brain off and it helps that I am in a job I absolutely love right now that is very different to any previous jobs.
    I worked in an Emergency Department where I had my fair share of experiences/sights that will never leave my memory, however, I have learned to mostly deal with them since I left there. I did leave completely burned out and struggling for a while with how I felt.
    I am a massive advocate for looking after yourself when nursing(despite not practicing what I preach). I tell students to do so and I always pass on the advice to new Emergency Nurses to put aside 1 day off for sleep as it is so exhausting.
    I debrief with my mum regularly. My husband is in no way medical and it actually helps that he doesn't want to hear about stuff!!
    I regularly talk through things with nursing friends who I no longer work with but trust.
    I say I have only learned this recently... prior to that I comfort ate, slept and watched mind numbing tv.... pure escapism! :pac:

    Thanks for the reply
    Appreciated
    I can only say fair play to you all standing up for yourselfs
    You deserve to be treated well and with the upmost respect


  • Registered Users Posts: 766 ✭✭✭mkdon05


    With regards to your other point. Care assistants do a fetec course in which they learn how to take vital signs. That is all well in good and a great help, however, taking a blood pressure is not simply pressing a button and writing down the numbers. It is about understanding what those numbers represent. It is the knowledge that nurses gain through college and experience that teaches them this. You need to know what to do if a blood pressure is off baseline for that patient, you need to know what medications are required or which need to be held depending on the reading. I have immediate family members who are carers, they have done this course yet do not feel confident to do vital signs. Yes there are things like taking bloods etc that care assistants could be trained to do but then who take over their already full list of jobs that they must get through? Are you going to hire and train a number of staff to do all these extra jobs?
    Do you decide on what medications are prescribed for patients and administer same?

    I've seen the argument that you do 4years in college so deserve pay parity, but there are plenty of people that do 4 year degrees in many disciplines, that doesn't indicate they deserve a certain level of pay.

    I dont claim to know everything a nurse does, so I had a look at gradIreland to see what the work entails:
    Work activities
    Observing and reporting on patients' condition
    providing nursing care, eg preparing for operation, caring for wounds and intravenous infusions
    Recording pulse and temperature
    Administering drugs and other medicines
    Assisting with tests and evaluations
    Providing support to patients and relatives.


    From some of the arguments Iv heard, you'd swear nurses were performing brain surgery. A far cry from the work activities listed above.

    I fully understand that staffing issues are leading busy workdays, but again many people who go to work everyday are overworked and stressed. The factors leading to the stress may be very different but both as valid.

    I personally know a married couple both nurses, they holiday every year, drive a decent car and have 3kids. Far from the poverty line.

    I think most people have encountered great nurses whilst in or visiting a hospital, as in the attention and reassurance they give to patients can be a great comfort in distressing times.
    The majority of the support for nurses would be coming from these people based on the memories of that care. However if you put it to the same people that they will have to increase the tax they pay or have a new tax introduced to cover extra costs in the hse, the support may waver considerably. Its easy to say give the what they want until they realise they will have to pay for it.


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    khaldrogo wrote: »
    The nurses should certainly be paid more than a dietician ffs!!!!
    khaldrogo wrote: »
    What qualifications do they have?
    jlm29 wrote: »
    I dont have a wife. They might not deal with dead babies, but they have a HUGE amount of responsibility clinically. There are many many who would or could die if their dietician were less competent. Dieticians analyse blood results, prescribe feed with the appropriate nutritional balance for critically ill, post op patients, ventilated patients, patients in renal failure. They have an enormous amount of knowledge which allows them to do this. They don’t just sit down in front of the fat people and tell them to cut out the fcuking mars bars
    khaldrogo wrote: »
    As I said in a previous post, I don't necessarily think that the pay is that bad in general. I believe if the staff shortages were never there in the first place they wouldn't be striking.

    In terms of what I said about the dieticians pay; given what a nurse has to do and is responsible for during a shift compared to a dietician how could anyone not agree they should paid more? They should be paid more than a lot of professions tbh.

    I think the main thing that I pick out from the above is this. Yes dieticians do have a massive amount of responsibility particularly with intravenous nutrition etc. But, nurses also analyse blood results, order and start feeds and regimes when a dietician isn't around and they are the ones who administer those feeds etc. I think people don't realise the varitey of skills a nurse has. Don't get me wrong, we need dieticians, we do not want more work to do, my point however is that nurses do so much more and have so much more responsibility than people know about.
    jlm29 wrote: »
    Do you think that the enhanced career opportunities and the perks associated with nursing (I’m talking about the paid training, the pay for clinical practise while training, the fact that the paid college years contribute to pension years to name some) help to compensate for the reduced basic pay at graduation when compared to other ahps?

    And also, if the basic pay for nursing was increased in line with other ahps, but this perks removed, and allowances removed for unsociable hours etc, that this would be acceptable to the profession as a whole?

    Hi Jim.

    Just to mention, nurses only get paid for 9 months in their degree which is at the end and they are working as staff members, have their own patient caseloads and are accountable for their actions. They spend 3 years working for free during placements before that. So no I don't think it does help compensate. Perhaps if you were a supernumerary student during those 9 months but you are not. You are working as a nurse.

    Now when speaking about post grad courses, yes there are plenty of opportunities to go and further your knowledge and professional development and have it funded or partially funded on the condition you pay back time which is excellent.

    I also don't think losing allowances for working nights and weekends would be acceptable UNLESS all AHPs worked unsociable hours also?


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    Myself and my 10 year old nephew both go to hospital regularly for LTI and i can say hand on heart the nurses are by far the hardest workers there and also the most helpful. They got a lot on their plate to deal with but do best when they can. Once saw a nurse go to an office to cry cos i believe it was due to being so overwhelmed and that is sad they don't get support they require. So kudos to you and your colleagues.

    As for my questions i have a couple to ask,

    1. Do you get any payment support for training and is there any recovery if you left country?
    2. Do you believe its fair for those who get subsidized training paid for by tax money only to leave country and not invest themselves?
    3. If yes to payment support, would you forgo this payment in favor of much stronger pay, terms and conditions ?
    4. What is the general view in relation to abortion legislation from a nursing perspective, is there much disagreement/animosity at the passing of it or are nurses generally more supportive of this legislation being passed? (especially curious to your own thoughts now you work with children, would the legislation change how you view this particular field?)

    Hi Sour Lemonz,

    Firstly thank you for your support and kind words regarding nurses. I hope both you and your nephew are both well at present :)

    1. When doing your undergrad degree you get your uniforms paid for and that is it really. You do get paid for working in your 4th year internship which is 9 months long, however, you are working as staff during this time so it is payment for a full time job. Prior to that you do 3 years of college and clinical placement with no payment.

    2. I do think that there should be mandatory time to pay back, but more based on the fact that a hospital has spent 4 years training you. However, on your internship you do work and get paid as staff so could it be argued that you have paid back 9 months already? :confused:

    3. As per no.1, no payment support.

    4. From talking to my colleagues I think we all just accept it. Bearing in mind it is probably easy for us because we are not working in an area that is directly affected at present. My opinion on the matter is that I think it must be incredibly difficult for all health care professionals involved. Just trying to set up any new service is difficult never mind one where people are protesting outside your door etc. I am pro choice but I don't think I ever see myself working in this field really. I don't even know if that has answered what you were asking but if not ask again :)


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    Nurses get certain allowances, paid post grad qualifications, overtime payment, can work up time off by working nights and have attractive pension benefits.

    If all nurses and management got the 12% pay increase across the board, do you think its fair that nurses would be on similar salaries to physios, OTs etc and still get all the benefits above?

    Nurses get an allowance for working in a specialist area where particular knowledge and skills are required. Paid post grads where you still work full time and pay back time following completion of the post grad. How much is overtime? only asking, because anywhere I work it is just paid as normal hourly rate unless it includes unsociable hours which are also paid as normal. I have never ever in 10 years been able to work up time off by working nights.... and i did a LOT of nights. We have the same pension as every other public servant unless, once again, you know something more than I do despite paying into my pension.


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    Which is more important to you, getting the pay increase or improved working conditions such as lower nurse to patient ratios?

    I would 100% happily accept improved working conditions over pay restoration.


  • Company Representative Posts: 71 Verified rep I'm a Nurse - AMA


    I know I have missed some but I will continue tomorrow evening after the march. Thank you so much for all the questions so far. Just thought I would finish on a positive.....
    Perifect wrote: »
    I just want to offer my support to you and all nurses. As you can see from this thread, begrudgery is alive and well. Ignore this kind of person who wants to drag you down. What was funny was them scoffing at you taking so long to reply, little realising that you were hard at work while they have been posting on the internet all day! :D

    Would you recommend young people to join the nursing profession and if you could go back in time, would you change career choice?

    Thank you so much. After hours of typing and feeling a little down trodden after some posts this cheered me up! :D;)

    I really wanted to answer your question though. In my old job I would have told anyone not to do nursing. I considered a change of careers numerous times throughout the years. I was so burned out working in a department that was always overflowing, always queues of people waiting to be seen, dealing with traumatic and sudden events that were so heart breaking you became numb from having to hide your feelings..... i used to go home and cry at 24hours in A&E despite not being able to shed a tear in work. The worst of it all was never ever feeling like you could do enough, that you could provide enough care. Dreading seeing how many nurses you were down. I felt like a really crap nurse. How could you be caring under that pressure.

    Then I left and became a children's nurse. It took me months to get my head away from missing the ED drama but then I became so happy. Nursing is so joyful for me. You have no other choice but to be happy. Working with children is so rewarding. Parents and children are also respectful and thankful which helps I guess. It is magical working with children. Making them better or even cheering them up. Because I smile at all the kids in work I find myself smiling at strangers in the street now!! :o:o Kids run up and give you a hug goodbye, draw pictures, smile, play and I have learned so much from them. They are kind and loving and it has profoundly changed how I feel about nursing. Despite missing the skills and expertise I once had I now get to make a different sort of a difference. You wouldn't believe how special it is when a kid doesn't realise they are even in a hospital because you have made it such a pleasant experience for them.

    I would highly recommend nursing as a career again and I can't see me leaving nursing in some form any time soon :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭jlm29



    Hi Jim.

    Just to mention, nurses only get paid for 9 months in their degree which is at the end and they are working as staff members, have their own patient caseloads and are accountable for their actions. They spend 3 years working for free during placements before that. So no I don't think it does help compensate. Perhaps if you were a supernumerary student during those 9 months but you are not. You are working as a nurse.


    I also don't think losing allowances for working nights and weekends would be acceptable UNLESS all AHPs worked unsociable hours also?

    I suppose I could mention that other health professionals get no remuneration whatsoever for clinical placement, although they would work quite independently on later placements, they buy their own uniforms, and are often placed very far from home or college so they may pay rent in two areas for a couple of months.

    And on the other point, I know that many ahps would much rather not work 9-5, and would like the flexibility associated with working evenings and weekends, but it isn’t permitted.

    I’m not disagreeing with anything you’re saying, just giving the other side!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭jlm29



    Then I left and became a children's nurse. It took me months to get my head away from missing the ED drama but then I became so happy. Nursing is so joyful for me. You have no other choice but to be happy. Working with children is so rewarding. Parents and children are also respectful and thankful which helps I guess. It is magical working with children. Making them better or even cheering them up. Because I smile at all the kids in work I find myself smiling at strangers in the street now!! :o:o Kids run up and give you a hug goodbye, draw pictures, smile, play and I have learned so much from them. They are kind and loving and it has profoundly changed how I feel about nursing. Despite missing the skills and expertise I once had I now get to make a different sort of a difference. You wouldn't believe how special it is when a kid doesn't realise they are even in a hospital because you have made it such a pleasant experience for them.

    I would highly recommend nursing as a career again and I can't see me leaving nursing in some form any time soon :)

    This is lovely to read. Thank you


This discussion has been closed.
Advertisement