A Nursing Assistant at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital has alleged that supervisors are obstructing salary increments for both Registered Nurses and Nursing Assistants.
Speaking anonymously to ANN, the Nursing Assistant highlighted persistent delays and excuses encountered by nurses seeking salary increments through evaluations.They outlined the procedure, mentioning that Registered Nurses undergo a one-year probation period, while Nursing Assistants typically have a two-year probation. Following this, a monthly increment of EC$100 is added until the maximum payment is reached.
The Nursing Assistant emphasised the significance of evaluations, expressing that a lack of three written or signed evaluations implies a continuous probationary status, denying them permanency and the consequent increments.
They voiced frustration, citing difficulties faced by many nurses, particularly those in the maternity ward, in obtaining these crucial evaluations. Blaming supervisors, the Nursing Assistant alleged deliberate excuses for delayed or unsigned evaluations.
They told ANN that they are still awaiting their first three months probation after they would have completed a year and four months in the system.
Additionally, they mentioned a colleague who, after three and a half years, received only one evaluation, impeding both increments and permanency.
“She needed her other two.. that’s way past her probation period… never got an increment , never got her evaluation signed” they added.
The Nursing Assistant highlighted the plight, indicating how this system places them at a disadvantage, rendering their efforts unrewarded
According to the Nursing Assistant, when their colleague resigned they (their colleague) were asked to “come back” to sign the evaluation – which to them makes no sense.
“We are at a disadvantage because we can’t get anything added to your salary and is like you working for nothing at the end of the day,” they stressed.
In a follow-up, ANN spoke to a senior nurse at MCMH, who acknowledged the existence of the increment system but couldn’t specify the exact amount. The senior nurse confirmed the practice of supervisors completing evaluations post the stipulated time.
While they could not speak to the direct information presented in the article, they pointed out a lack of formal complaints regarding the issue.