source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/Nurses-seek-better-pay-working-hours/articleshow/47255104.cms

Nurses seek better pay, working hours

DEHRADUN: It was not a usual day at Doon Hospital on Tuesday as staff nurses, otherwise donned in white, adorned colourful dresses to celebrate International Nurses Day. Even as the nursing staff struggles to meet staff shortage on a daily basis and claim to be underpaid, their spirits seemed undeterred in serving patients.

"We are overworked and underpaid nightingales of the 21st Century," said a staff nurse not wishing to be named. This is evident from the working hours and the patient-nurse ratio in the government hospitals across the state.

"The state should strictly adhere to the Indian Nurse Association's (INA), guidelines rather than following the Indian Public Health Standards to recruit nurses," she added. 

"Currently, one nurse tends to eight patients. But as per INA, the ratio has to be three patients for one nurse. When nurses go on maternity or education leave, we don't get substitutes and are overloaded with work," said Anjana Bhoumik, president, Uttarakhand Nurse Service Association.

At present, Doon Hospital has more than 150 full-time nurses.

Meanwhile, the nursing staff was all praise for the central government scheme as per which, nurses have to undergo a six-month training and can be deputed in remote areas as individual practitioners.

"Nurses already have first-hand experience of handling patients. They don't need training. There is shortage of doctors in our state and the health department can send nurses to hilly terrains where doctors do not want to be stationed," said LP Thapa, head matron of Doon Women Hospital.

The nursing staff has also demanded enforcement of the Sixth Pay Commission as per which, the panel has mentioned that the pay grades of nurses should be at par with other paramedics.

"In Uttarakhand, paramedics are paid more and the state government did not bother to consider the suggestions given by the pay commission. We have been demanding for our rights for long. It's not about the money but more about respect," said Bhoumik.