A seismic shift for nursing: valuing our profession

In 2024, nursing roles are held in high regard by patients and service users, but politicians are yet to catch up.

Nursing needs a seismic shift and a new place in health care.

The government has asked for your views on how to value and reward you – let’s grab the moment.

It should never be the case that to get on in your nursing career, you are forced to move away from giving hands-on care.

It should never be the case that you finish your nursing career on the same salary band as you started it.
 
You should never amass decades of experience but see no recognition of it in your salary and your treatment. 

Agenda for Change has lost sight of our value. After 20 years, three quarters of our members are on the two lowest pay bands possible for registered professionals. We are weighted to the bottom of the pay and grading structure, without a clear route through.

I want the career pathway for nursing to be smashed wide open.

Whether you take on management roles or not, your knowledge and excellence as a nursing professional has to be recognised.

Patients want the experienced nurse as well as the new joiner involved in their care and treatment.

This work is about every nursing role – registrants and support workers; newly qualified and the more senior; and every current grade through to the chief nurse where you work.

Nursing staff are safety critical. Services should not run without us. But today’s poor understanding of our value leaves record jobs unfilled. Investment in nursing is investment in our population’s health. It is sound economics and what’s best for patients.

In this election year, let’s open the biggest public and political conversation about the value of nursing. And tell the sceptics why nursing is unique, why patients need us and why we deserve better. 

We ask for governments, the NHS and all employers to give nursing roles fair treatment.

Give nursing its fresh start and a new place in health care.