An organisation representing community nurses has launched a survey asking nursing staff about the impact of forced demotions.
The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) has said it is “concerned” about stories of nurses and nursing support workers having to accept lower-paid or lower-banded jobs.
“It is unacceptable that nurses are obliged – formally or informally – to accept jobs at lower pay grades”
Crystal Oldman
Nursing staff have reported having to take on these new jobs in return for changes to working hours, taking on further education or due to changes to service structures, the QICN said.
The QICN said some have had to take a lower-banded job to avoid a “negative workplace” or because they were being overworked.
Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of QICN, said a common example of this practice was a band 6 nurse being placed on a lower band while they undertook a specialist district nurse qualification.
“It is unacceptable that nurses are obliged – formally or informally – to accept jobs at lower pay grades, for example to further their professional development,” she added.
“This is unfair to the individual and leads to inequity in the workplace; it also acts contrary to staff development to meet the needs of patients, progression and retention within the whole health and care system.
“I cannot think of another profession that would be subjected to [a] demotion when developing clinical professionals to meet the needs of the people we serve.”
Today, the organisation – which was formerly known as the Queen’s Nursing Institute – is launching a survey asking registered nurses and nursing support workers about how they are being impacted by this issue.
The research is being overseen by the QICN’s International Community Nursing Observatory, which is led by workforce researcher and registered nurse Professor Alison Leary.
Professor Leary said: “If you have taken a job in a lower band or lower grade or a lower paid role for any reason, in any setting, we would like to hear from you.
“We want to understand why this happens and how employers respond, for example to requests for flexible working.”
Results from the survey will be published this autumn.
To participate, go to the QICN’s website or click here.
