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18/07/2007
Nurses’ morale 'at ten year low'
Morale amongst nurses is at a ten year low, a new survey by the Royal College of Nursing has shown.
The 'Holding On' survey showed that optimism over job security, career progression and training are at their lowest levels since 1997.
More than half of nurses (55%) felt that they were 'too busy' to provide the care they would like - an increase from 47% in 2005.
The survey also found that more than a quarter of all nurses are still forced to take a second job to make ends meet, while 87% of nurses felt that they are poorly paid in relation to other professions.
Over the last two years, fear of redundancy amongst nurses has jumped from 7% in 2005 to 35% in 2007, while the number of those surveyed who felt that nursing offered a secure job has fallen by more than half, from 71% in 2005 to 34% in 2007, the survey showed.
Less than half those surveyed said that they would recommend nursing as a career, while one in four surveyed said that they would leave nursing if they could and even fewer said that they were satisfied with their jobs or felt that their work was valued.
The survey also showed that the amount of time nurses spent on continuing professional development (CPD) had now dropped to seven days, compared to eleven days in 2005, with 45% saying that they were unable to take time off for training - a decrease from 55% in 2005.
The RCN attributed the fall in CPD on the slashing of training budgets.
However, despite the falling morale, the survey found that 58% of all those surveyed worked longer hours than they were contracted for. Nurses working full-time were found to work an average of 44 hours per week, seven more than their contracted hours.
RCN General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said: "To have such a large part of the nursing workforce genuinely worried about the security of their employment is simply unacceptable. Despite feeling undervalued, underpaid and under threat our nurses continue to put in the hours and dedication to deliver high quality patient care.
"In the week that nurses are receiving ballot papers on proposed industrial action this survey demonstrates to the government that nurses' goodwill is at breaking point."
(KMcA)
The 'Holding On' survey showed that optimism over job security, career progression and training are at their lowest levels since 1997.
More than half of nurses (55%) felt that they were 'too busy' to provide the care they would like - an increase from 47% in 2005.
The survey also found that more than a quarter of all nurses are still forced to take a second job to make ends meet, while 87% of nurses felt that they are poorly paid in relation to other professions.
Over the last two years, fear of redundancy amongst nurses has jumped from 7% in 2005 to 35% in 2007, while the number of those surveyed who felt that nursing offered a secure job has fallen by more than half, from 71% in 2005 to 34% in 2007, the survey showed.
Less than half those surveyed said that they would recommend nursing as a career, while one in four surveyed said that they would leave nursing if they could and even fewer said that they were satisfied with their jobs or felt that their work was valued.
The survey also showed that the amount of time nurses spent on continuing professional development (CPD) had now dropped to seven days, compared to eleven days in 2005, with 45% saying that they were unable to take time off for training - a decrease from 55% in 2005.
The RCN attributed the fall in CPD on the slashing of training budgets.
However, despite the falling morale, the survey found that 58% of all those surveyed worked longer hours than they were contracted for. Nurses working full-time were found to work an average of 44 hours per week, seven more than their contracted hours.
RCN General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said: "To have such a large part of the nursing workforce genuinely worried about the security of their employment is simply unacceptable. Despite feeling undervalued, underpaid and under threat our nurses continue to put in the hours and dedication to deliver high quality patient care.
"In the week that nurses are receiving ballot papers on proposed industrial action this survey demonstrates to the government that nurses' goodwill is at breaking point."
(KMcA)
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A lack of qualified nurses means that students are being left in sole charge of patients in the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. The RCN has pointed to a "serious lack" of registered nurses to support and guide students, which is "endangering patient care and short-changing these urgently needed new recruits to nursing".
Lack of nurses puts patients at risk
A lack of qualified nurses means that students are being left in sole charge of patients in the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. The RCN has pointed to a "serious lack" of registered nurses to support and guide students, which is "endangering patient care and short-changing these urgently needed new recruits to nursing".
14 December 2005
Employment figures on the increase
The number of people being employed across the UK has shown an increase, according to latest figures. This month's figures show an increase in the number of people in employment but a fall in the employment rate. The number of people in employment rose by 58,000 over the quarter. The unemployment rate was 4%, up 0.
Employment figures on the increase
The number of people being employed across the UK has shown an increase, according to latest figures. This month's figures show an increase in the number of people in employment but a fall in the employment rate. The number of people in employment rose by 58,000 over the quarter. The unemployment rate was 4%, up 0.
13 September 2005
Nurses’ debts increasing, survey reveals
The number of student nurses with debts of more than £10,000 has doubled within two years, new research has revealed. A survey of 2,000 student nurses, conducted by ‘Nursing Times’ and health workers’ union Unison, found that 13% had debts totalling more than £10,000 in 2005, compared to 6% in 2003.
Nurses’ debts increasing, survey reveals
The number of student nurses with debts of more than £10,000 has doubled within two years, new research has revealed. A survey of 2,000 student nurses, conducted by ‘Nursing Times’ and health workers’ union Unison, found that 13% had debts totalling more than £10,000 in 2005, compared to 6% in 2003.
28 April 2005
Number of school nurses ‘needs to double’
The next government will need to double the number of school nurses to ensure that all children have access to a school nurse, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. Research commissioned by the RCN showed that, on average, one school nurse in the state sector covers at least ten schools, caring for an average of 2,400 pupils.
Number of school nurses ‘needs to double’
The next government will need to double the number of school nurses to ensure that all children have access to a school nurse, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. Research commissioned by the RCN showed that, on average, one school nurse in the state sector covers at least ten schools, caring for an average of 2,400 pupils.
18 April 2007
Suspended sentence for shoe fetishist
A man with a footwear fetish who robbed women of their shoes has been given a suspended sentence. Omar Abd-el-Gowd, 26, of Honor Oak Park, south east London, had pleaded guilty to eight robberies between December 2005 and November 2006. He was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years.
Suspended sentence for shoe fetishist
A man with a footwear fetish who robbed women of their shoes has been given a suspended sentence. Omar Abd-el-Gowd, 26, of Honor Oak Park, south east London, had pleaded guilty to eight robberies between December 2005 and November 2006. He was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years.
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