We need to stand up and say we’ve had enough

Our skills and qualifications are no longer valued and unless this changes and we are recognised and respected by the UK government, the future of nursing, the NHS and our patients is at risk.

Our newly registered nurses possess a wealth of knowledge, but this is simply not appreciated, and the level of pay deters people from entering the profession. At the other end of the scale, experienced nurses who thought they'd nurse until they couldn’t work anymore, are now thinking of leaving or retiring and this extends to our highly-skilled nursing support workers and other nursing workforce colleagues.

All of us are concerned about the pressures of unsustainable financial circumstances, but this is about the wider impact of inadequate pay on recruitment and retention and, ultimately, patient safety.  

Patient care and patient safety are dependent on staffing levels with not only the right numbers of staff, but those with the necessary skills as well. Without action, staffing numbers will continue to drop and patient care will continue to suffer. Many report feelings of constant stress, of rarely being able to leave on time and the damage to wellbeing.

We’re dedicated to our jobs, and strike action – as a last resort – after over 25 years as a mental health nurse is something I never thought I’d be supporting. Not just for myself, but for our students and nursing staff of the future – and most importantly, patients.

People I have spoken to understandably have questions about strike action. This is the first time that many of us have been involved in anything of this nature but the RCN has given its assurances that any action will be safe for all concerned - staff and patients.