Today (July 12th, 2018) nurses went on a 24hr strike nationwide, marching for better pay and conditions. This is the first time nurses have been on strike in 30 years. It was a hard decision to make but a decade of public health system underfunding has taken it's toll. The DHB's and government are saying 'there's no more money in the pot'.
As at 25th July negotiations are ongoing (posting late due to computer problems and other commitments).
nurses are underpaid and undervalued... my husband and I have both needed hospital treatment quite a bit in the past five years and the outstanding support and work of nurses is worth noting, I know doctors are important but often nurses have their "finger on the pulse" so to speak because they see so much in the day to day of the patients and are just as valuable. Working double shifts seems pretty standard and the abuse or just annoying complaints given makes my blood boil!! I say HONK find another pot to get the money from!!!
Interesting. I nursed in Gisborne Hospital between 2005 and 2008. As I recall pay and conditions were similar to the UK, conditions probably better.Personally I would prefer if conditions here were addressed first particularly the elephant in the room- staffing levels.
When I started Nurses werent allowed to strike ,times have changed and the amount of knowledge and increased so much agree staffing levels needs to be addressed
