*** NO REPRODUCTION FEE *** DUBLIN : 6/02/2014 : Pictured (l-r) at the launch the ‘Everyone Loves Nurses’ campaign organised by The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) were student representatives and student nurses Maeve Ledden, Siobhan Cahill, Caitriona Quinlan and Catriona Dowling. The launch was held ahead of a larger demonstration that will take place in a fortnight at the HSE. The starting salary for newly graduated nurses is now €22,000, a drop of €4,000 from the past starting salary of €26,000. This works out as €6.49 per hour. This is less than the current minimum wage of €8.65. The same graduate nurses can earn far more abroad, up to €43,614 in Canada. USI and student nurses from across the country are telling Minister James Reilly, who previously said they can “emigrate or work in a fast food service if unhappy”, that they’ve had enough. USI President Joe O’Connor said: “The message to Minister Reilly today is loud and clear; change the starting salary level back to €26,000 for newly graduated nurses. Follow the campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #everyonelovesnurses. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.
MEDIA CONTACT : Gráinne O Reilly, Communications and Research Executive, Union of Students in Ireland mobile : 087 677 6636 tele : 01 905 2100
Student nurses to see pay increase from March 1
The rate to be set is at 70% of the staff nurse rate of pay, which means that student nurse pay will increase to €9.49 per hour
*** NO REPRODUCTION FEE *** DUBLIN : 6/02/2014 : Pictured (l-r) at the launch the ‘Everyone Loves Nurses’ campaign organised by The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) were student representatives and student nurses Maeve Ledden, Siobhan Cahill, Caitriona Quinlan and Catriona Dowling. The launch was held ahead of a larger demonstration that will take place in a fortnight at the HSE. The starting salary for newly graduated nurses is now €22,000, a drop of €4,000 from the past starting salary of €26,000. This works out as €6.49 per hour. This is less than the current minimum wage of €8.65. The same graduate nurses can earn far more abroad, up to €43,614 in Canada. USI and student nurses from across the country are telling Minister James Reilly, who previously said they can “emigrate or work in a fast food service if unhappy”, that they’ve had enough. USI President Joe O’Connor said: “The message to Minister Reilly today is loud and clear; change the starting salary level back to €26,000 for newly graduated nurses. Follow the campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #everyonelovesnurses. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.
MEDIA CONTACT : Gráinne O Reilly, Communications and Research Executive, Union of Students in Ireland mobile : 087 677 6636 tele : 01 905 2100