Band 6 Nurse specialist

[Livvyliv18]

I’ve been a band 6 for 3 years.Where I work they are trying to make it a nurse led service.We have already had two Drs that have retired and not replaced.
We have now been told we have to do the prescribing course which I don’t want to do.
I’m in my 50s and I really struggle with studying.I know how hard the course is and I really don’t think I could do it
Can I be forced to do it ? We work with PGDS and tbh I really don’t think it’s essential to have this qualification.There’s no financial reward and I have no intention of becoming a band 7
Any advice or experience in this situation?

I wouldn’t be a nurse prescriber on a band 6 that’s taking the piss. Are they saying they will make the whole team band 7s on completion of the course then?

Have a word with your manager and state your concerns/ feelings. And if there’s no joy get some advice from your union.

Thanks for replying
Nope
We’ll still be band 6.The problem is the younger nurses are keen to do it as I imagine they’ll move on once they’ve got it.
My plan was to stay here until I retire but I’ve already been told I have to do it in the next year.
And they wonder why so many experienced nurses are leaving the NHS.
They basically want us to be Drs without the bloody salary

@Livvyliv18 try to find out what band nurses doing the same job as you are on in different trusts, and are they prescribing? Also check your contract and what is required of a band 6 generally in your Trust. Are other band 6s prescribing? These are arguments your union rep can use. Your colleagues are naive to be willing to do this. It doesn’t automatically mean band 7 jobs are suddenly going to appear. And it sets a precedent in the Trust, not good for nurses in the Trust!

The nurses are all band 6 as we are nurse specialists.The nurses who are a similar age to me have no plans to become band 7.
I image the younger nurses are keen to get a b7 role but probably not in this department as they have enough b7.
Ive checked my job description and prescribing course was desirable not essential.I seem to be the only one saying no which makes it hard.
I’ll do some digging re B 6 in the trust.