Among other things they are demanding a change in nomenclature of the nursing grade from Sister Grade I and Sister Grade II to Nursing Officer I and Nursing Officer II.
A joint meeting of the two associations was held at PGI on Wednesday. The demonstration will be held on February 27 during the budget session of the parliament and before it, letters will be posted to all the members of the parliament to appreciate the common demands of both the unions.
President of the PGI Nursing Welfare Association Lakhvinder Singh said that the demonstration would be held to press the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to accept the demands of both the unions.
The associations are also demanding vocations on the pattern of doctors as mental strain and physical hardship faced by the nursing staff is similar to that of the doctors.
Their other demands are for getting free insurance according to the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission or risk allowance as nurses are exposed to serious infections while serving the patients, including that of mortal diseases like HIV, and to get non-practice allowance as there is a ban on them for doing private practice as in the case of doctors.