new graduate initiative nursing

Don't do it op. The hse need to learn that nurses won't be bullied into accepting substandard wages. Where does it end?

shaney1990 wrote: »

Hi all, I've 2 weeks untill I qualify as a nurse and I'm being offered a two year contract, 1st year at 85% of a nurses wage, 2nd year at 95% of a nurses wage, but over the 2 years I must complete a level 9 with 3 module college course in order to justify being paid 100% of a nurse wage the 3rd year. I'm wondering can someone elaborate on this for me? Disheartened after 4 years of training that I must go back to college in order to stay with the hse.
Regards, shaney1990

Shaney1990, i've just been told I have to take the 85% contract to remain in my current job. i have been employed for a year as an RPN. Unfortunately it isn't 95% in the second year its 90%. I haven't been told about having to do a course to progress on the pay scale but if we do have to do a course the HSE usually pays for you to undertake courses if u are employed with them. It is an unfortunate situation but if u want to gain experience then it seems to be the best option if u want to work in Ireland. agencies are currently paying the 85% to all recent graduates and u are not guaranteed the same benefits like set hours annual leave etc.

How much will you be paid? I'm aware of the idea behind the initiative, but I don't know the wages involved. Are we talking numbers like 16k a year here, or 24k a year? Because I'm sorry, but if it's 24k a year, it's pretty measly, but I think that's comparable to starting graduate wages in quite a few other sectors.

I would point out that in some careers this is just how it is. You serve your time first, a qualification just opens the door for you. If you did business of some sort and wanted to become an accountant, you'd have to work your ass off for buttons for the first 3 years, before being entitled to earn a "decent" wage and practice accountancy. Most people would do it through a grad programme in an accountancy firm....doing college at the same time for 3 years. Secondary teaching (and possibly primary) there's the whole HDip thing. It's just how it goes.

My 2 cents, for what they're worth - I know that you're aware that you will need to continuously learn, but I guess you need to realise that this is a new-ish system, and that nobody likes change. I'm not saying it's a right or wrong system - it's just different to what went before, and maybe you need to just accept that this is now how it is and that's it. You've got to weigh it up yourself - are you willing to go into the system (which isn't going to change) vs the rest of your options (whatever they are). Unfortunately nobody can solve this one except yourself. Good luck with it, this is life I'm afraid.

To be honest the whole thing seems very fair to me
You are still short of the desired qualifications that the HSE want .
They have offered you a chance to earn money while you earn those qualifications ,but your salary will not be a fully qualified nurses salary until you earn the qualifications.

All employers get to set terms for qualifications and pay for their employees.
If they are unfair then they will not get the right applicants and the market will force them to adjust.

I know HSE is a large employer of Nurses but they are certainly not the only employer ,if these terms are unsatisfactory then turn down the job and appply for a competitor.