Career standstill: nurses report feeling trapped and undervalued
Nurses feel undervalued, blocked and unable to progress in their careers, while at the same time their roles have grown in complexity and autonomy, but without appropriate pay to match their responsibilities, an RCN employment survey finds
Nurses feel unable to progress in their careers, while roles are becoming more complex, but without the pay to match responsibilities, employment survey finds
Nurses report feeling blocked and unable to progress in their careers while at the same time their roles have grown in complexity and autonomy – but without appropriate pay to match their responsibilities.
Nearly three in four (73%) of the more than 21,000 nursing professionals who responded to the RCN Employment Survey, published on Tuesday, said they feel undervalued in their role.
Frustration that pay doesn’t reflect the complexity of nursing work
Overall, a theme of deep dissatisfaction with pay runs through the survey report, with respondents expressing frustration that their pay bands fail to recognise the intensity, complexity and risk inherent in their roles. Two thirds of respondents (68%) said their pay does not reflect their responsibilities.
One charge nurse in an NHS hospital said: ‘Over time, my duties have expanded significantly, taking on leadership responsibilities, mentoring colleagues and managing complex clinical situations that require advanced knowledge and decision-making. My pay does not adequately align with the scope of my role and the value I provide to the organisation.’
Expanded expectations often absorbed without recognition or reward
The RCN says the disconnect is compounded by the increasing integration of technological systems, leadership responsibilities and high-risk clinical decision-making into everyday nursing practice.
‘We heard that expanded expectations are often absorbed without formal recognition or financial reward, leaving many feeling undervalued despite their evolving contributions,’ the report says.
Other respondents said they were frustrated by career stagnation, despite significant experience and investment in their own training.
‘No matter how hard I study and despite 18 years of clinical experience I cannot progress my career,’ said a community nurse in Northern Ireland. ‘There are no opportunities, posts or funding in my area. Feeling deflated.’
Survey findings tell us what must change, says RCN’s Nicola Ranger
One clinical nurse specialist described a constant loss of good nurses to managerial roles, adding: ‘As a profession, I feel as though we are penalised for progressing clinically. If I had chosen the management route, I am certain I would be at least two bands higher.’
RCN general secretary Nicola Ranger says: ‘These findings are significant – they represent the lived experiences of nursing staff across the UK and in all settings.
‘We already know that nursing has been cut, squeezed and devalued. But these findings tell us what must change. While there are small signs of progress our skills and expertise remain undervalued.’
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