Would you support a nurses strike?

[VirtueClapper83]

If there’s any truth (little probably) in the headlines, 40000 nurses left the profession last year for better paid jobs/retirement. There can’t be any substantially significant net gain to the profession. Would you support strike action as we’re about to be balloted for it?

Because you're going to give me the 'real' figures?

Why don’t you find them yourself? It easy enough. I’m not your research assistant.

Do you bother to read anyone else’s posts, or even actually try to find out the facts, before you hit “post?”

On this evidence, obviously not.

The vast, vast majority of nurses (so those in bands 5 or 6), even at the top of the B6 scale, aren’t making close to £60k. Band 5 tops out at a little over £32K as standard.

Before tax, a nurse on the top of band 5 (outside London) makes about £339 for a NIGHT bank shift. Take the tax off and it’s around £260. They’d be working every one of their days off for ten months (on nights!) before they hit the 60k pre-tax mark.

Im reading with interest and am surprised at the number who believe we should strike. I'm undecided I also never take a break in 13 hours or get a drink or go to the loo (no need as I haven't drunk anything) or get off on time so am effectively working 14 hours and at home on my days off I'm answering emails doing paper work etc. if we went on strike would I do these things I'd cheerfully dump the stuff I do at home but know it wont go away and more will keep coming in so whats the point and I don't go to break/eat and drink/go to the loo because I'm too busy caring for patients they are my priority over everything else and the reason I'm a nurse. Although having said this Im leaving and going to a quieter but less well paid NHS nursing job (taking 30+ years of experience in my speciality with me) because not only is my mental health suffering so is my physical health. The new job patients lives are not at risk if I go to break/the loo so I might strike.

www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=NHS+Nurse+jobs+London&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=570&dpr=1.5&ibp=htl;jobs&ved=2ahUKEwik8pK5mcL6AhW0QUEAHUZ3BcIQkd0GegQIBxAB#fpstate=tldetail&htivrt=jobs&htiq=NHS+Nurse+jobs+London&htidocid=qAGC-XZxrLoAAAAAAAAAAA%3D%3D

tiredwardsister, the reason people support nurses striking is so that they do get breaks, eat, drink, go to the loo, look after their own mental and physical wellbeing and don't end up leaving like you are because they are suffering and totally burnt out. A sick or dead nurse is no good to anyone.

Yes.

I am a nurse I will vote to strike.

I will choose to strike for my patients- nursing is haemorrhaging existing staff and failing to attract students because it offers very little in the grand scheme of things.

We need better support and better terms and conditions to improve staffing thereby increasing patient care, safety and experiences.

Fuck off Oldoldold.

I'm over 20 years qualified nurse. Top B5 earning £32,000 / yr. You have absolutely no insight at all in the shit we go through each shift.

This approach has always annoyed me. I was a nurse for nearly 30 years, last few years at band 7. I know the pressures involved. It doesn’t matter how busy it is, you have to find time to drink and use the loo; otherwise you’re going to make yourself ill or even fuck up your kidneys A martyrs approach helps nobody, especially other nurses, and is far too common. Being seen as ‘angels’ with a special vocation has never done nurses any good at all; we’re just normal people doing an extraordinary job.There is always time; some things can wait, and unfortunately have to.

Are you ok? You seem so angry? I think you need some anger management or definitely some help. Weird.

@Oldoldold FYI I earn £28k as a band 5 on ICU working 30 hours/pw. 30 years qualified, 20 on ICU. Work lots of nights, weekends, expect to work all of xmas or NY. Get your facts right.

They’re grumpy at being called out for their constant bullshit.

Yes!

@Oldoldold
60K a year?!?!?
The annual and hourly rates NHS staff are paid are readily available for anyone to see here,

www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202223

Ward nurses are band 5, ward sisters Band 6.

HTH

Would definitely support. Solidarity.

Haven't RTFT so this may've been mentioned already, but when nurses go on strike (and I believe they will vote to do so) then systems are in place to make sure essential services continue and patients are kept safe. Minimum staffing levels like on Christmas Day are guaranteed, so actually, patients will be as safe or safer than they are on any other day, as staffing will have been planned properly in advance.
Anyone who's been in hospital recently can see that there aren't enough nurses to care for the patients. This won't change until governments invest properly in the workforce. Nurses are poorly paid, under huge amount of stress, taken for granted and with a government that doesn't take them seriously. No wonder they're fed up and thinking about striking.
I support them, totally.

It’s about time that nurses stood up for themselves. How can you be taken seriously as a patient advocate if you can’t even advocate for yourself?

And I’ve always loved this 80s? photo of a nurse standing up for herself.

You'd be surprised what I know.

Yawn... you're so goady.... or trying to be....

And l .... and the rest of the nurses/HCP on here... really would be surprised by what you know.... considering you don't know what nurses are paid....

I’m worried I might fall or spill my tea

No wife used to be a band 6 and way out earned me

And did you have as much training and experience as her?

Was it a comparative role @rwalker?

I'm actually shocked at how many people have said no when, if you look at the thread regarding junior doctors strikes, the majority have said yes they'd support a strike. I wonder why that is?

Also saddened to read that people think healthcare professionals are on £60k+. It's amazing how the media can brainwash people into thinking that the "average" nurse is on this kind of salary. I could only dream of earning that much a year, that's more than my partner and I combined.

When my union finally open their ballot, I'll be voting to strike. Many of my colleagues have also said they will vote to strike.