Swedish nurses on strike!

[vss04]

Being sadly underpayed Swedish nurses has been on strike for some weeks now. When I´m writing this there´s no solution in sight.

After three years of university studies it doesn´t show at all at the end of the month when the paycheck arrives.

Payment per month is approximative 3200 US dollar as a new nurse. After several years in work, maybe >30, some nurses don´t reach more than 4200 US dollar, even if specialists. If you instead study three years to, let´s say a computer-engineer you can start with a salary at maybe 5100 US dollar. Conclusively; it´ll pay more to heal machinery than people!!

People in common support our struggle for better salary. Although negociations are a buisness of give and take we surely hope for a real good utcome this time.

I have no idea of what level Swedish nurse salary is compered with other countries (as always it´s also a question of living costs). The only country I can compare with is Norway who pays a lot more to their nurses. That´s also why many nurses from Sweden go there to earn some extra money.

I love my work, even if it has it´s dark sides, which work hasn´t?

But I want to see in my wallet that my experience, my knowledge and my skills are payed enough!

Gunnar

[Agenyc]

I am Swedish too, but have lived in the US for a while now.

Good luck to you all!

It is very ironic that fixing machines is more valued that healing people...

Sweden is such a great country in SO many ways, but not when it comes to appreciating the value of the nursing staff. Unfortunately it's probably one of the drawbacks of socialized medicine...

Lycka till!!

[carachel2]

Engineers make more money here in the US here too. I think one of the huge issues in Sweden is your what....40% income tax rate? People rave about the government healthcare there, but you pay up front for sure.

[RN1982]

Good luck with the strike. I hope you get the salary that you rightfully deserve. Also, do nurses in Norway make more than U.S. nurses because if they do, i'm moving. There aren't any strikes where I live as we are not unionized at the hospital I work.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

So sorry to hear about your situation and hope that it will be resolved soon. Do nurses work for the State? Who is caring for patients now?

[vss04]

We aren´t all on strike, so healthcare is still carried out even if in a smaller scale at those places where nurses are striking.

The question is rather, will our opposite part ever listen to us?

Many, well most of us, are working for the "state" even if private clinics are becoming more and more common.

Working for a private facility generally gives a better payment but it´s what the state will pay us that kind of sets the limits overall.

Many thanks for your support!

Gunnar