This month I will explore two sides of the coin and how perceptions really do matter. There is a perception sometimes that while the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is both a professional college and a trade union, it operates more as a trade union. What do you think and how do you see the dual arms of the RCN – the professional and the union side – working together? Personally, I think it appears to be the latter, and to be fair, with the recent and disturbing Carr review (RCN, 2022a) and the emphasis on the dysfunctional RCN Council, members could think that is the case.
Many general practice nurses (GPNs) have expressed a wish to vote in the pay industrial action ballot. GPNs are not included in the statutory ballot as they are not directly employed by an NHS organisation, as identified in the NHS Terms and Conditions handbook, and this dispute is in relation to the pay, terms and conditions of RCN members directly employed by NHS Employers. Are we disappointed that the RCN is unable to obtain our vote in the ballot for strike action? Are we surprised that GPNs in primary care have not got a voice? Personally, I am not. Although, it should be noted that the RCN does campaign for fair pay in non-NHS settings (RCN, 2022b).
The GPN forum has around 13 000 members signed as first or second preference for the forum. It is not the largest forum but nor is it one of the smaller forums either, and with over 6500 members on the private and supportive Facebook group, where questions and answers to clinical practice come in daily, it should surely have a greater awareness or recognition among GPNs in practice. Perhaps members don't know how to get involved or don't know where to look to join the GPN forum.
Due to this lack of awareness, Practice Nursing is pleased to introduce a new column from our colleagues at the RCN GPN forum. On page 470, Ellen Nicholson, the RCN GPN forum chair explains how you can get involved and we look forward to getting more insight in future editions of the journal.
Positively, the RCN Forum and various GPNs have met with Government ministers to discuss pay and terms and conditions for GPNs and more importantly a national RCN officer for employment relations is looking at ways to influence and move the subject on with our stakeholders including NHS England and the British Medical Association. We look forward to hearing more on this in the coming months.
How could the RCN better support you? I look forward to hearing from you at pn@markallengroup.com
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