Sir, Much has been written and said about nursing, but here is some real advice to all school leavers and those considering nursing as a career.
Nursing is (1) the only career in which you obtain a degree and the Government will try and reduce your starting salary to less than it was in 1996 (2) a career in which you are guaranteed to remain temporary for years and remain on the bottom of the salary scale (3) a career in which you may eventually obtain a permanent position, but you may wait up to 15 years to reach the top of the salary scale (4) a career where education is essential in maintaining high nursing standards, but is rarely sponsored or financially recognised by our employers (5) you are, however, guaranteed much responsibility and many unsocial hours of stressful mental and physical labour (6) you will also have to wait until the age of 65 years before qualifying for a full pension.
Now all of the above considered, nursing is a hard and demanding career, but also a satisfying one, where you know you can make a difference. If you want a progressive and satisfying career in nursing, support us in our fight for better pay and conditions in nursing. Visit the talks in your area. Support the Nursing Alliance. Let us stand together for a better future in nursing. Yours, etc., Ard Faoigh, Clybaun Road, Galway.