Seagizmo….I stated that there were very few jobs which carried the level of responsibility as that of a nurse. I mean that in respect to ‘all’ jobs within society. I agree that doctors, teachers and the person who writes the software for a nuclear reactor, are also in the bracket of the ‘very few jobs in society’ which carry such great responsibility, however their starting salary reflects this. As do their wages in general. And rightly so.
You ask how we compare to other states? Our graduates can currently walk into a job in the UK, such is the demand for Irish nurses, on a salary greater than that paid here, and are supported to further their careers and trained up in whatever area they choose to specialise in. No such support exists in this country. Australia and Canada also offer incentivised packages far greater than those offered here.
Irish nurses are highly valued around the world such is the level of training here and reputed personable nature of our nationality (according to recruitment agencies in these respective countries). Further cuts to nurses pay will only further incentivise our graduates to emigrate when there are more deserving ways of clawing back our fiscal deficit. Starting at the top!

Seagizmo…do you have any idea of the job specification which a nurse works to, that you feel 22,000 is overpaid? I have worked at numerous jobs in my time, most of which required no experience or formal qualifications whatsoever, and all of which paid far better than 22,000 per year. That is less than €12 per hour.
There are very few jobs, even within the hospital environment, that require the employee to take as much responsibility as that of a nurse. Outside of the acute setting, many nurses are taking responsibility for up to 20 patients in some settings. If, god forbid, one of these patients were to choke on their meal or suffer a cardiac arrest and not make it, a nurse could find themselves up in court and lose their livelihood. How costly are mistakes in your line of work? If a nurse is expected to take responsibility for the lives of so many people it should be reflected in a wage which at least shows they are in some way being treated fairly.

Why don’t politicians cut their salary to 22,000. Well they’ve said it’s reasonable salary haven’t they? And 2year only contracts from now on, then to the back of the que and proformance based…. Oh they’d be phuuuucked! Get out people, get out of this kip now before its too late!

The whole college course for nurses involves loads of on the job training. I think even the last year is just a year totally in hospital apart from a few weeks in college so they are already experienced. This is just pure taking advantage. When the 2 years is up they will just not renew the contract and get a new nurse fresh out of college and the cycle starts again. Pure extortion.

Graduated in Sept 2010, accepted to London NHS hospital with open arms. £21.5K sterling starting wage, full support in professional development and opportunities for promotion. My hospital are currently paying for a post graduate course in University and giving me 4 hrs a week study leave for the duration. Why would a young eager newly qualified nurse even be tempted to work in this country. It makes my blood boil when I see what is becoming of our great heritage of producing wonderful nurses…… only to export. It’s shameful. And why haven’t all health care personel in the same boat, physio’s, doctors, dieticians, therapists and of course management levels. Picking on the vulnerable again…

All I know is that we need a nurse when we come into this life and are so delighted to have them nearby as we are leaving. What a shame it is for our society that we have to be so penny pinching the most important front line profession. Our politicians will need the assistance of this profession at some time during their life.

Is Gilmore / howlin proposing that all politicans elected at the next local/general election take a 20% pay cut ? Oh wait no course their not , that would hit them then . Sure lets hit frontline services instead .

They are held responsible the same as a full time nurse so why should they not be paid equally??

Start with weakest, graduate nurses , but watch out your next, private and public,
If your serious about over pay in the public service then start at the top and do it right, cowardly , and unjustified at this stage

What hours does Barry OBrien work? What does he earn? What holidays does he get? How big will his pension be? What medical training or qualification has he got?

the only reason the government is trying this very very low tactic is because they think they can get away with it. by the nature of what nurses are mainly female their unions aren’t strong. it’s so bad it’s unbelievable. i.m a public servant and i really believe that everyone’s wages should be cut rather than taking a easy option like this. i really hope no graduate nurse takes these jobs!

I’d challenge any politician to live on 22000 a year. Give up the life for 1 year and live on 22,000, apply for social welfare, support family etc and no cheating. None would even dare try!

we’ve already paid our dues, put up with the same shit for 3years unpaid +9months barely paid.. (apprentices are paid from day 1, mightn’t b a lot but its more than what we got). 80% is an insult, to the highest degree. we put peoples lives in our hands. whether your 4, 10, 20 or1 years qualified. in “other sectors” things arent as risky. do the job of a nurse+you’ll soon change your narrow minds.

It’s very annoying to see media outlets continue to refer to this as “graduate” issue.

These are not “graduates” going to make tea in daddy’s office. These are nurses. Full fat, free range organic nurses. They don’t compare with “graduates” in other sectors.

When our bleeps go off in the middle of the night because a nurse identifies a sick patient, we don’t stop to ask when the nurse left college.

If making stupid statements such as those above, is all this man O’Brien can do to try and justify this attack on graduate nurses, then he’s clearly not fit to do the job he’s being paid for! I’m a bit surprised that the nurses unions haven’t called on their members to strike though. I think that if they were as worried about this as they claim to be, an all out stoppage would’ve been caller for by now, asking the graduates to boycott these jobs is only a buck passing excercise. I think complete solidarity is the only way to fight this.

You can’t directly compare £21 to €21,cost of living is cheaper in the UK.

I agree, if nursing wasn’t a female dominated profession the government wouldn’t be trying this underhand tactic

Why do politicians continue to to be salaried in jobs ..ie teachers when they are not practicing teachers

As already stated, we go out in 4th year as interns and when we ‘qualify’ 9 months later, we are just as good, if not better, than those with years of experience. In fact, I’d say we’re that little bit better because we’re not as ‘burnt out’ as some of those out there!

Yup. let them all give up their jobs and their families [ and taxpayers ] suffer.Brilliant idea !

I didnt say I was better than nurses with experience, I said I was better than ‘some’ which is not a presumption but a fact! I’ve worked with some amazing nurses who are better than some of the Drs out there. Having said that I’ve worked with dreadful nurses too, who couldn’t give a damn, spend more time looking at the off duty than the patients they’re well paid to look after………….

Shane, there’s good and bad in every profession, I’m just stating my opinion