[Straits Times ST Forum 16 April 2003]
LET’S PAY OUR NURSES MORE.
A MESSAGE FOR TODAY FROM THE PAST FUTURE ....In the 16 April 2003 ST Forum on the critical role of Nurses during SARS, I wrote :-
“Saying thanks is fine, but let us pay our nurses more”. “What Singaporeans have mistakenly identified as “exceptional courage” in nurses is in fact an inherent personality trait. Their capacity for love, sympathy and endurance, unfazed by the fatal experience of their fellows, defines who they truly are; tending to the sick and suffering in what they do. It is more than just a job or a passion. It is the conviction of their calling. This is their creed.... Their hospital workplace is a battlefield of germs, and the SARS virus is merely the latest, though not the deadliest, to enjoin the daily battles”. “They perform their tasks with effortless cheer, as they fight the bugs to the end with every trick, knowledge and passion to make a difference to the comfort of the sick and unwell. The nurse is also the doctor’s guard against forgetfulness, ever-present and questioning conscience; his skilled right arm”. “We must [in 2020] today reward our COVID19 nurses more, to demonstrate the sincerity of our messages of gratitude and thanks, failing which ... the compliments would be just empty symbols.” Our Nurses truly deserve more, much more than just our applause!
4 comments:
Fully agreed. Cut most of the good-for-nothing incompetent ministers' pay by 80% and distribute them to the nurses and doctors.
I propose to start with the Health Minister, the Education Minister, the Manpower Minister and the Environment Minister first.
Who's next? What do you think?
I agree. Unquestionably!
They've increased the nursing pay quite a lot in the last 5 years.
Starting pay for nurses in govt hospitals today:
Degree holders --- about $4K
Diploma holders --- almost $3K
And this is basic pay. Add shift allowances & higher specialty allowances will be $500 to $1000 more.
THE ONLY QUESTION IS THAT MOST SINKIES DON'T WANT TO WORK IN SUCH JOB SCOPES, DIRTY WORKING ENVIRONMENT, STRESSFUL WORK CONDITIONS, AND SHIFT DUTIES.
BTW, nurses' day in S'pore is 1st Aug.
Indeed
NURSES AND MANY DOCTORS ARE THE UNSUNG HEROINE AND HERO OF ALL SOCIETY.
MAY YOU ALL BE BLESSED WITH GOOD HEALTH AND COMFORT.
WE
THANK YOU ALL SINCERELY FOR YOUR LOVE AND CARE.
MY SALUTE MAAM AND SIR.
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