Improving pay, improving access to paid time for professional development, and recognition of qualifications are the top three issues important to nurses working in GP practices, according to a survey conducted by the NSWNA.
Hundreds of nurses responded to the comprehensive surveys that were distributed to all practice nurse members in NSW.
Key findings were that 90.9% of practice nurses are RNs, with 74% aged over 46 and 35% aged over 55.
Forty-five per cent are covered by the Nurses’ Award and 12% by an Enterprise Agreement, while 28% do not know what industrial instrument covers their employment.
Fifty-five per cent of nurses who responded work as part of the Independent Practitioner Network, 20% for Healthscope Medical Centres, 10% for Primary Health Care and 15% for General Practice Support Services.
The survey was carried out as the Association continues its negotiations with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for the renewal of the joint contract for practice nurses.
A log of claims has been developed based on the survey results and includes a 5% pay increase and allowances in a two-year term, improvements in the nursing classification structure, an annual review of hours for part-time employees, transparent overtime provisions, and the recognition of new continuing professional development (CPD) registration requirements.
The NSWNA is seeking to improve and update the nursing classification structure with a number of measures, including accelerated progression for RNs from 1st to 8th year to 1st to 5th year; and discussion about a new RN Practice Manager classification.
At a national level the ANF has written to Healthscope , Primary Health Care and IPN seeking to commence bargaining.
Image credit: NSWNA
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