However, just a third of nurses have access to childcare facilities, and only a quarter of these make use of them. The main reasons for nurses not using workplace childcare are that it is too expensive, or because opening times do not fit in with nurses' shift patterns. Nurses' career progression slowing down Just over half of all nurses are at the top of their pay scale. Senior nursing sisters are the very nurses expected to provide hands-on care and leadership as 'modern matrons'. This downgrading of roles has happened even though nurses' roles and responsibilities have continued to expand.
Nurses believe that pay is a reflection of how they are valued.
A substantial pay rise, for all nurses in the UK, would boost recruitment, motivate others to return and encourage nurses to stay. Investing in good leadership at all levels throughout the NHS is vital to re-invigorating the health service and ensuring the success of NHS modernisation. Nurses' pay increases in perspective Many people still believe that all nurses were well rewarded in 1999 and 2000. The aim of these discretionary increments was to improve the scope for career progression and earning potential for senior nurses. The RCN estimates that few nurses eligible for such payments are receiving additional money.