promotion from band 5 to 6

[poppyflower]

ok, so i am band 5 working in pre operative assessment clinic - this is classed as a specialist area, as we work autonomously and have our own caseload of patients. Before i started they had a different matron, who i am lead to believe promoted all the nurses from band 5 to 6 once they completed their physical assessment course seamlessly. The matron now has stopped that, we are kept as band 5 and are no longer promoted after gaining our physical assessment course, despite the fact we do exactly the same workload as the band 6 nurses; in that i mean we assess the same complex patients and major surgeries as the band 6's, there is no difference in responsibilities. He recently opened 2 vacancies for band 6 - we had to apply for this post and attend interview - all of us band 5's applied, but only 2 got the posts. I guess what i'm asking is, is this right? should all of us band 5's have been promoted straight away to band 6 once we had our physical assessment course, as our knowledge base is more specialized than an average band 5, and we are actually classed as a specialist nurse? Can it be done that way, or was i misinformed? i just feel like it is a real injustice that we are doing the same workload and have the same responsibilities and knowledge/skill base a band higher, but that is not being aknowledged

[GrumpyRN, NP]

Simple answer to your question whether you should all automatically be a band 6 is... money.

Band 6's cost more than band 5's.

My question would be why were staff getting a band 6 for what is basically a clinic post?

Before you answer that can I tell you that I know what is involved in a pre-assessment clinic. This role used to be carried out by the junior doctor and medical students.

So to answer your question should you be a band 6? No in my opinion. Only the charge nurse should be a band 6. Neither would I class you as specialist nurses - sorry.

If you are getting a band 6 for this post - grab it with both hands. Someone somewhere may put a stop to it.

[poppyflower]

thanks for your reply, but you didnt answer my question. Put simply, i am asking whether you can get a promotion from band 5 to 6 in the same department without having to apply, and go through an interview for it as level of education and skill increases.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

thanks for your reply, but you didnt answer my question. Put simply, i am asking whether you can get a promotion from band 5 to 6 in the same department without having to apply, and go through an interview for it as level of education and skill increases.

Unless you were appointed on a trainee contract which specifically states promotion will be gained after successful completion of ........... then no, you should go through a fair and transparent interview process.

I do agree with Grumpy, and Having managed a pre-assessment unit I am surprised this practice of automatic promotion was allowed at all. Although you have different skills to some other specialities I would not classify pre-assessment as a specialist role, there are clear guidelines and protocols to work within and your assessments will be generalist assessment for fitness for anaesthetic rather than complex diagnostics.

[GrumpyRN, NP]

thanks for your reply, but you didnt answer my question. Put simply, i am asking whether you can get a promotion from band 5 to 6 in the same department without having to apply, and go through an interview for it as level of education and skill increases.

As XB9S said;

Unless you were appointed on a trainee contract which specifically states promotion will be gained after successful completion of ........... then no, you should go through a fair and transparent interview process.

What does your contract of employment say? You should have your conditions clearly stated. Also what did it say on any advertisements for posts? Did it say "automatic increase to band 6 when course completed?" If it did say that then you may have a case to take to the union.

If everyone is getting a promotion but not you, that is discrimination and can be addressed. However if the band 6 posts are up for fair competition and you just don't get one then that is just bad luck.

You do say that 2 band 6 positions were opened and only 2 band 5 nurses got them...

[poppyflower]

thanks for your reply, and answering my question