Nursing should be re-named?

[SunshinePie]

Was pondering over this recently, is calling “nursing” is a bit old fashioned? You now need a degree to be a nurse, and they often are pretty much doing junior doctor jobs. Calling it something else that recognises it’s academic demands, and also more inclusive to males wanting to work in the field…something like Healthcare Medic / Healthcare Practitioner/ Assistant Medic…. Or similar, you get the idea….

-YABU, it should be kept “nurse”, it’s traditional and has roots in “nursing an infant” ie breastfeeding (that reflects the caring nature)

-YANBU it’s old fashioned, insulting to people with degrees and esp males.

True, and I understand that.

But carers don’t have degrees from Universities do they? So of course they will be paid less than nurses.

I’m not saying it’s right, but just because carers are underpaid (and I full agree they are) that doesn’t mean nurses deserve to be underpaid too.

Or should nurses just shut up and put up because other people earn less than them?

My sister has an office job, she gets to sit at a desk, enjoying her cups of tea, chatting with her friends, going out for lunch, leaving at 5pm on the dot etc yet she still gets paid more than me as a Senior Band 6 nurse who runs my own service.

People joke about how it’s preferable to work in Tesco when it comes to pay versus stress levels than it is to be a nurse but they’re probably not wrong.

"saw an article the other week about a police officer using a food bank. I wouldnt describe their wags as poverty wages either"

I thought they were meant for people on low wages? Even those where you can self refer.
I wouldn't have had the face to go to a food bank when I was on 16k so I don't understand how someone on 26k or even over 30k can be taking food meant for poor people.
As for a high/low cost area, that's mainly housing and entertainment isn't it? You can get cheap food in London like you can elsewhere.

@lameasahorse

Why are hca underpaid but not nurses?

Hca do the bulk of basic care but not all which was your original point you're now backtracking from.

@Gwenhwyfar

Doesn't matter how cheap the food is if you're housing costs mean you can't afford it.

Its all relative, isn't it?

And you're consistently ignoring the point that its a low wage (even if its an average one nationally ) for what the role entails

"But carers don’t have degrees from Universities do they?"

They may do, just that it's not a requirement for the job.
I know a nurse who doesn't have a degree either and is proud of it. She's only in her forties (maybe 50 tops) so there must be quite a few non-graduate nurses.

"And you're consistently ignoring the point that its a low wage (even if its an average one nationally ) for what the role entails"

I'm not opposed to nurses being paid more, but I do baulk at people making out they're poor. It's a very privileged viewpoint. Unfortunately, many public sector roles aren't paid as much as they are actually worth.

I wouldnt be proud to not have a degree in nursing/health care as a nurse.

Most nurses I know did a post grad degree. Continuos professional development and learning is a must.

Why wouldnt you?

@Gwenhwyfar

I never said they were poor. Underpaid. Absolutely.

I'm not poor. I dont think any of my hca colleagues are either.

Still underpaid

I know a nurse who doesn't have a degree either and is proud of it. She's only in her forties (maybe 50 tops) so there must be quite a few non-graduate nurses.

True. It used to be that nurses could work with a degree or a diploma and I think it’s only over the last ten years that it has to be a degree.

Many people used to do the Diploma as opposed to the Degree because it was financially better for them. I think Diploma students used to get a non-means tested bursary of about £500 a month whereas Degree students don’t.

I have known Band 5 nurses with a Diploma only be allowed a promotion to Band 6 if they return to Uni and top their Diploma up to a Degree level.

I don’t know whether this is a Nationwide requirement though or just a requirement of the Trust I work in.

@Perplexed0522

Its nearer 20.

It became a degree course in around 2003/4

I qualified in 2001 and my year was one of the last diplomas

Not to mention there are other band 5 roles within the NHS that don't require a degree and where they aren't responsible for keeping people alive. e.g. admin, payroll, estates. Same pay as nurses.

I qualified with the diploma and have almost finished my top up degree. A lot of job adverts say ‘study at degree level’ for band 6. So generally you need to have done some degree level studying.

As a Band 7, I needed a degree and a post-grad. I have GCSEs all at grade A, A levels all at grade A. Not too bad for a thick nurse.

They've had 20 years to get a degree.

Most nurses are retiring at 60. Its not really a job you can keep doing in your 60s, although there are still a few but they struggle

@lameasahorse

You clearly don't understand nursing.

Nurses have to show proof of CPD&L.

Even 20 years ago it was possible to do a post grad while working. No need to take 3 years out.

I'm a nurse, no I don't think we should be renamed. I have no idea why you think that title is insulting (I'm very proud of it) but admitently I didn't read past the first page.

@lameasahorse it's possible to gain a degree by day or 1/2 day release over 3-5 years. A lot of people work full time and attend a uni course on their day off. Same for Masters courses.

you normally have to study in your own time.

@lameasahorse if you wanted to progress, yes you absolutely had to have a degree or you were stuck at a lower band. It was indeed and continues to be difficult to balance work and study and family time - but this is the same for many roles/ professions.