Member Stories
Respect us, before it’s too late
I am a registered nurse, midwife, and clinical midwifery specialist, working in public health in regional NSW. As a midwife nearing the end of her career,
I couldn’t bear to watch on in abject horror at the state of the workforce I leave behind.
As a profession, we have been battling for safe nurse-to- patient ratios and a wage that respects and acknowledges the vital work we do as a profession.
When will the premier and health minister act? Will it be when our young nurses and midwives take themselves, their HECS debts and their families, to other states that respect their worth? That will pay them a wage that covers their mortgages, and which allows them to rent without fear of homelessness? To states that have safe nurse-to-patient ratios?
Can the premier and health minister honestly tell me from the bottom of their hearts that after 45 years working in NSW Health, I don’t deserve safe nurse-to-patient ratios and a wage that values my 45 years of knowledge, experience and dedication?
At 64 years of age, and after 45 years of nursing and 40 years of midwifery, I am exhausted. This week alone I have already worked two shifts in a row, when I was unable to even go to the toilet, let alone have a meal break or a drink. This is not abnormal – this is ‘our normal’, week in, week out, understaffed and overworked with overtime.
As a profession, we are paid much less than those who have the luxury of working a regular 9–5 job. Those who get to go home, turn off the lights, sleep and enjoy their weekend.
There are many days where I sit in my car in the hospital car park and negotiate with myself, through tears, trying to convince myself that I can push on and do just one more shift for my patients.
But I will be honest: it is becoming harder and harder to keep convincing myself. I challenge the premier and health minister to take a walk in my shoes, on my whole 18-hour shift.
I ask the government to not miss this opportunity. Show us the NSW Minns Labor government respects us, before it’s too late and we all turn off the lights and go home for the weekend too.
Jennifer Greed, RN and RM