A lack of awareness or understanding about the role of general practice nurses (GPNs) means it is often a ‘forgotten career’ option, a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) conference has heard.
The RCN Congress got underway this morning on International Nurses Day with a discussion on the importance of raising the profile of nursing as a ‘positive career’.
Members of the RCN took to the stand at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool to share the parts of the role they are proud of, and the aspects they believe need greater public understanding.
As part of this, it was argued that action must be taken to stop practice nursing from being the ‘forgotten career’ within nursing and to ensure potential nurses know the benefits that working in the sector can bring.
The discussion was led by former RCN Congress chair BJ Waltho, who stressed that the nursing workforce would struggle to grow or retain staff unless more is done to shout about the positives of the role.
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She suggested that social media was ‘sadly… full of negative comments about nursing’, including concerns around poor pay, burnout, stress and feeling undervalued.
While she acknowledged these issues, she said: ‘We need to speak out about the wonderful profession nursing – the highs as well as the lows, the benefits as well as the drawbacks, the goods as well as the bads.
‘The joy one gets from helping a patient is immeasurable, the fantastic opportunity to get to work with all members of the nursing family and the multidisciplinary team to be there when the baby is born or a patient dies is precious. The variety of career pathways is enormous.’
While urging nurses in the room to be ‘loud and proud about the profession we love’, she warned the government that ‘just because we love our job doesn’t mean we’ll accept paltry pay’.
Nurses working in general practice and the NHS are awaiting an update from the government on their pay for 2025/26. Ministers were handed recommendations from the relevant pay review boards in recent weeks, but the government is yet to make an announcement.
Also taking to the stand was Hannah Pollock from the RCN GPN Forum who noted that despite having the ‘most diverse nursing role’ as a practice nurse, the role is not well understood among the public.
‘Practice nursing is the forgotten career in nursing,’ she said.
‘As practice nurses, we have the most diverse nursing role. We hold a really privileged position to influence and care for people at every age and stage of their life.
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‘Unfortunately, though, this role isn’t well understood and publicised.’
Ms Pollock warned myths needed to be busted around the role and more public awareness was needed on the ‘autonomous, specialised and progressive’ nature of the role.
With many general practice nurses set to be retiring in the coming years, she stressed the profession would have ‘a massive void’ and noted that there were also retention issues to consider.
‘We need to raise the profile general practice – get people engaged, get people on board and make it a really positive career,’ she said.
Advanced nurse practitioner in a GP surgery, Wendie Smith, also highlighted the unique and rewarding career that primary care can offer.
However, she warned that high levels of autonomy and workload can lead to burnout.
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‘Personally, I know the toll it takes. Having experienced burnout, I now work in several roles, limiting the impact and having a better work-life balance,’ Ms Smith told the conference.
She also suggested that the next generation of nurses would want ‘variety and flexibility’ in their careers and that wider opportunities for ‘portfolio working’ should be explored.
RCN Congress is being held at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool this week until Thursday.
