AskShaye When it comes to your rights and entitlements at work, NSWNMA Acting General Secretary Shaye has the answers.

Over the last few months the voices of nurses and midwives – in NSW or across the country – have become louder and increasingly heard. This reflects an increasing belief of the need to speak collectively and powerfully as a profession, as sadly, who else will? Whether in the NSW public health sector or across the country during the recent federal election, the community is displaying a more attentive ear to the concerns being raised by nurses and midwives: The need to address chronic inadequate staffing and funding, along with ensuring decent wage increases.

This momentum must be maintained. It is clear that it will be left to us, nurses and midwives, to fight for the improvements needed across all those sectors and services we work within. We need to do this for each other as well. The caring profession must also take care of itself: Our health, our wellbeing, our ability to continue in our chosen profession in a safe working environment.

Despite the challenges, despite the discomfort, despite the ongoing and entrenched resistance from some, we must continue, together, and be stronger for it.