The RCN is working with researchers from the University of the West of England (UWE) to highlight the extent and impact of low pay on the nursing workforce across the UK. We want to hear from you as individuals about your experiences. This research will form part of the evidence that underpins our campaign for decent wages and fair terms and conditions across the health and social care sectors.
We know, all too well, how low pay is affecting our members. What we want to know more about is the day-to-day choices, sacrifices and compromises you make to continue in your nursing role. The stronger the evidence we have, the smarter our proposed solutions for governments and employers will be in our fight for fair pay and safer staffing, which in turn can help with recruitment and retention. This research will also highlight regional and employer-based differences in experience, helping us to build a better picture of low nursing pay nationally than ever before.
We will be looking at the workforce in all sectors including the NHS, general practice, social care, hospices and charities across all parts of the UK. We’d like to talk to registered nurses and nursing support workers from all stages of their nursing career, from new recruits to those planning retirement.
Participants will meet with one of the researchers from UWE. It will be an online meeting that can be arranged at a time that suits you. It will take no more than an hour and the discussion will be relaxed and informal. There will be some questions to get the ball rolling, but the purpose is to give you space to tell us what really matters to you.
Those chosen to take part will receive a £20 shopping voucher. It will be completely anonymous – you will not be identified in any way in the research.
RCN Senior Research Lead Rachael McIlroy said: “The cost-of-living crisis has been made so much worse for nursing staff because of a decade of stagnant wages in the profession. It’s also clear that as working life gets harder due to workforce shortages and increasing pressures, we’re facing recruitment and retention problems across the whole country.
“We want to hear from members first-hand about their working lives and how they’re affected by the economics of living and working in nursing. Where you live and work can have a huge impact on the expenses you face, such as travel and care costs, as well as the types of jobs available to you – within and outside health and social care. What your employer does to support you can also make a difference. It’s only by getting into the detail that we can understand what it’s like for you and how it could be better.”
If you’re interested in taking part, please click on this link and register. This will just register your interest in the project and one of the UWE research team will be in touch to plan the next steps.
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