I’ve taken on the role of an RCN picket line supervisor and feel confident in striking. But I know not all internationally recruited colleagues feel this way. Some are afraid and have asked me directly if this is the right thing to do.
I graduated in India and came to the UK three years ago. I initially worked in cardiology.
I now work in digital clinical systems for patients. I had to move away from cardiology because staffing shortages meant that I couldn’t deliver the care I wanted to. We were meant to have seven patients to care for, but we were constantly ending up with 15.
Every day we were struggling. People were crying. We were put under pressure to move patients on – but where to? Cardiology patients need specialist support. Patients were being left in the corridors. I got so stressed. I knew I had to make a change.
These intense pressures haven’t dented my love for cardiology though. One day I want to go back there so I’m maintaining my knowledge in the hope that one day I will return to the specialty I love.
All nursing staff need to feel supported to take legal strike action
But right now, staffing pressures are putting us all at risk. It can be harder to strike in other parts of the world so I understand why other internationally recruited nursing staff may feel worried about standing on picket lines.
For me, the cause is too important to ignore. Three years ago, I hoped my working conditions would be better than the reality I now face. The cost of living here is having a huge impact on me too; I survive from pay cheque to pay cheque.
This is why it is so important that all nursing staff understand the right to strike in the UK. And if this means being a little more patient, and a little more supportive to help all our colleagues understand this, that’s what we need to do.
I saw an RCN film about an internationally recruited nurse (see below) who was supporting the strike and that made me feel supported too. All nursing staff need to be aware of their rights and feel supported to take legal strike action.
Our picket line in January was friendly, supportive, vocal and we had lots of public support so if you haven’t joined one before, please consider doing so.
