Starting pay for nurses too low, says association head

The PNG Nurses’ Association says starting pay for nurses is too low and needs to be adjusted.
President Fredrick Kebai said nursing graduates started on Grade 8 on the public service pay structure unlike other jobs, which started at Grade 10 and above.
“Most of our nurses are degree and diploma graduates and need to be on par with others in terms of their position and salary structures,” he said.
“Nurses are the ones everywhere in all health facilities – from clinics to major referral hospitals – unlike doctors who are just in major hospitals.
“Where there is no doctor, health extension officer, community health workers or technician, the nurses are always there in every facility.
“A study needs to be done to determine the baseline position and salary levels of nurses.
“Starting off at Grade 8 position is very little compared to the many jobs nurses do in the health facilities and outside too.
“Nurses need better pay packages.
“They need a study into their work to recommend changes to their position and pay structures from Grade 8 to Grade 10 level.
“A work value study for nurses right across the country is pending and needs Government’s commitment to implement it.
“It is through this study that they will find out all the roles and responsibilities that every individual nurse does in their respective health facilities.
“Questionnaires would have to be sent out to all the nurses for feedback and that would cost over K1 million.
“We need the Health Department and the Department of Personnel Management to work with us to secure funds to implement this study for our nurses.”