Seeing RCN Nursing Support Workers’ Day get off the ground was Maive Coley’s proudest moment. “This will be our third year running the campaign. It’s been a really big change, giving us status,” she says. “It recognises our work, our value and gives us the respect we deserve.”
This November, Maive attends her last meeting of the RCN UK Nursing Support Workers (NSW) Committee – formerly the RCN UK Health Practitioner Committee – as she’s reached the maximum term of eight years speaking on behalf of members in the East Midlands region.
The committee represents nursing support worker members, including health care assistants, health care support workers, assistant practitioners, nursing associates and trainee nursing associates.
“It’s time to let others have the opportunity,” she says. “But I’ll miss it. We’re a tight-knit team, built on trust and we all support each other.” Now Maive has joined the RCN UK Learning Representatives Committee, where she’ll be making sure the views of nursing support workers are represented.
Maive’s been involved in the NSW committee since its very beginning, when it was a project group that met every few months. “From there we’ve progressed to where we are now,” says Maive.
“Previously, the RCN wasn’t set up to meet the needs of health care support workers, though we could become members. Now there is recognition of the unregistered nursing workforce and our large contribution to health and social care.”
Meeting four times a year, the committee looks at changes in health care, emerging issues, and any challenges that could impact NSW members, developing policies and contributing agenda items to the RCN’s annual conference, RCN Congress, as appropriate.
“The committee has helped nursing support workers have a voice and a platform,” says Maive. “People take us seriously now.”
This work has brought personal benefits too, including boosting Maive's confidence. “I feel much more able to speak to others, including those further up the hierarchy in nursing,” she says.
Listen to others and think about what you can contribute too
“At one time I would have felt so nervous about approaching people who are higher up, I probably wouldn’t have done it, but now I can. I’m more confident speaking to anyone.”
She encourages any member who wants to learn more about the RCN’s activities to attend branch meetings. “Listen to others and think about what you can contribute too,” Maive advises. “You’ll get lots of ideas you can take back to your own workplace.”
She also urges members to attend Congress if they can, join an RCN forum for free, and think about becoming a local pay campaign champion. “You can deliver leaflets or organise a branch activity,” says Maive. “It’s not all about becoming a rep, if that’s not what you want. There are lots of ways you can contribute at all levels.”
Initially working in elderly care as a nursing auxiliary, Maive’s whole career has been within health care. “My mum was a midwife,” she says. “I always had an instinct to help people. As a young person I volunteered to work at a care home for children with disabilities and that made me think I should try nursing.”
Today, she’s a clinical support worker, working on a neonatal unit at Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust. It was here she was first inspired to become more active in the RCN, training to become a learning rep in 2008, at a colleague’s suggestion.
Four years later, she became a steward. “I’ve always encouraged people into educating themselves more,” says Maive.
The current cost of living crisis is leading to some of the most challenging times Maive has lived through. “We’re also very short-staffed at work and we’re not being paid what we’re worth,” she says.
We’re not being paid what we’re worth
“If money was what motivates you, you wouldn’t come into nursing or health care. We’re here for the love of caring for people. We worked through COVID and many of us feel exhausted now. We’re on the frontline and all we’re asking for is a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
To celebrate this year’s RCN Nursing Support Workers’ Day, held on 23 November, Maive is planning a tea party at her trust, where staff can drop in and find out more about the role of health care support workers and the education and development that’s available.
“There’s progression for you, if you want it, alongside support,” she says. “Just because you’re a health care support worker, it doesn’t mean you can’t develop and have education. Within the health service, there is always an avenue to learn something new. That’s the message we’ll be trying to get across.”
Ofrah Muflahi, the RCN UK professional lead for nursing support workers says: “Maive's contribution within the Nursing Support Workers Committee has been a driving force for change.
"Her passion, commitment, and sheer determination over the years will be missed but I know that she will still very much be involved in the RCN and remain a true advocate for the nursing support workforce.”
Celebrate on 23 November
Whether you’ve already planned an event or are hoping to join in something virtually or nationally, there are lots of ways you can get involved in celebrating the third RCN Nursing Support Workers’ Day on 23 November.
- Find out more about the work of the RCN UK Nursing Support Workers’ Committee.
