Arbella2 has been doing sterling work over on petitions and activism to promote the current petition to protect the title Nurse in law so that it can only be used by those who are qualified and registered with the appropriate organisation.
This isn’t a TAAT, I thought it was worth discussing the feminist aspects of this. The nursing workforce is predominantly female and I can’t help thinking that is part of the issue.
As explained by prof Alison Leary in the blog linked below Although the term Registered Nurse is protected under the 1997 Nurses Midwives and Health Visiting Act, the term “nurse” is not protected in the UK. It’s an issue because the term nurse is the term in common usage. Other professional titles such as physiotherapist, hearing aid dispenser, dental nurse or paramedic are protected in law.
This means anyone can use the term nurse to offer services, advice or be employed as a “nurse”. The use of the term nurse is not restricted to use by Registered Nurses and can be used by many different types of worker. This includes assistive roles such as healthcare support workers or other professionals taking on “nursing” work.
richmondgroupofcharities.org.uk/news/guest-blog-protecting-title-nurse-uk-law
It is women who are most affected by this. If the title Nurse isn’t protected in law, the option to employ unqualified workers becomes tempting to companies looking to save money. This means nursing assistants being placed in positions they shouldn’t be, and patients and the public being at risk of receiving the wrong care. It will also, in all likelihood, exert a downward pressure on the salaries of qualified nurses.
I can’t help wondering if this would even be an issue in professions with more males.
If you would like to sign the petition, please see Arbella2’s thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/petitions_noticeboard/4368136-protect-the-title-nurse-in-uk-law-petition-the-title-nurse-can-be-used-by-anyone-in-the-uk-petition-created-by-professor-alison-leary-rn?reverse=1