Band 4 and cuts to Nursing posts

[steve...@yahoo.co.uk]

We were told that having band 4 in the unit would provide a career
pathway for Nursing Assistants and bring out the potential of those
who did not want to become Nurses (All Good Reasons). We have been
told by managers that we are to lose 4 Staff Nurses now that these
band 4 are in post which will mean there will be night shifts where I
am the only qualified on duty with a Band 4 and a band 3s

Does anybody else have shifts with just one qualified ? Is anybody
else having qualified nursing posts cut. should we name and shame
those employers ?

[Richard]

That's absolutely appalling!
There should never be a shift with only one qualified nurse on duty.
It piles the pressure on them, makes it tricky to take breaks, conduct
referral assessments etc.
I'm all in favour of HCAs having opportunities to develop themselves
and having Band 4s would only improve patient care BUT only if it
isn't at the expense of losing qualified RMNs.
I think your employers need to be asked if their reasoning for this
change is to improve patient care OR whether it is simply an attempt
to save money.
I can't see how cutting RMN positions would improve patient care