Nurses in Spain are demanding fair treatment in the public health system, as they fight for the reclassification of their professional group within the civil service. Currently, nurses are classified as part of group A2, which carries a lower base salary compared to group A1. The majority nursing union, SATSE, has urged the government and all political parties to address this issue and end the discrimination faced by nurses and physiotherapists within Group A of the Public Administration.
In addition to the reclassification battle, nurses are also pushing for the full development of all nursing specialties. While there are seven recognized nursing specialties, only one – Obstetric-Gynecological Nursing – is currently implemented nationwide. SATSE has been leading the charge for the legal regulation and development of nursing specialties, which has been a long-standing demand of the profession.
The discrepancy in the civil service groups stems from the historical differences in nursing education. While nurses now complete a four-year university degree program, they are still classified as part of subgroup A2, which requires a diploma. This classification difference has a significant impact on nurses’ career advancement opportunities, as it limits their access to higher-level positions, research groups, and public job openings traditionally reserved for those classified under subgroup A1.
The nursing profession is calling for equal recognition and treatment within the public health system, as they continue to provide vital care and support to patients. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring a fair and equitable environment for nurses to thrive and excel in their profession.