Kiwipaul

Article in the paper at the week-end saying the wage for normal ward nurses has gone up to $52,000 in QLD and is now the highest in Australia.

Don't know what it means by normal ward nurse, but noticed quite a few threads from nurses and thought I might as well pass it on.

Birdey

Heard on the radio that QLD nurses had threatened to Strike for pay rise.. so maybe its true.
However similiar article in WA saying average nurse earns $52000 p.a. (year 6) I am indeed year 6 and still come in about 4,000 short of that in a specialist area.
Similiar thing in UK 2 years ago when they reckoned the "average" nurse earned 22K... I left the UK 6 months ago on 18900 pounds p.a.

dibrucewillis

Hi Birdey

I was just wondering what year 6 meant.
Are wages paid according to number of years qualified.
I am a top 'E' Grade at the moment and my current salary is £20,655. I have been qualified 19 years
Do you know if I will have to take a significant drop?.

Thanks
Diane

Birdey

Year 6 is years post PSK qualifaication. Old style RGN get training years counted but to a max of 9 years I think.
Depends on what grade you go in as, I was on about increment 4 or 5 as an E grade...
Here Ive gone as a level 1 year 6 ( D/E equiv)
You may get a level II straight off especially in private health, but things are a little different here, so depending on your speciality it may/may not be worth contemplating.
Yes you will earn less (dont work it our in pounds its depressing, but I can buy more with the less money!)
Yes I can PB!

dibrucewillis

Many thanks for that

Diane