I meet the criteria for the enhanced nurse contract however there has been a lot of talk amongst colleagues about the possible impact on pension entitlements- will my pension entitlements change or be negatively impacted? 

No this is not the case. The HSE have confirmed that psychiatric staff nurses who take up the enhanced nurse contract will not be moved from their existing pension scheme. The HSE have also confirmed that the status of eligible psychiatric staff nurses who are currently on pre 2004 contracts will not change. If you have queries or concerns in regards to superannuation and the enhanced nurse contract please contact your local representative or PNA Head Office at 045 852300. (LINK TO CIRCULAR??) 

I recently suffered a bereavement, do I have access to any special leave?

Yes you do. The PNA, amongst other unions, brought the issue of bereavement leave to the Labour Court to seek improvements in the arrangements that employees are entitled to in the event of a bereavement. Significant improvements in leave were achieved;

• An increase from 5 days to 20 days bereavement leave for the death of a spouse, partner or a child (including adopted and ‘in loco parentis’)

• An increase from 3 days to 5 days for the death of a father, mother, brother, sister, father in law or mother in law
• Where the employee must travel for funeral arrangements in the event of a death of a relative as outlined above, special leave with pay in excess to the above limits can be granted at the discretion of the employer.  
• In exceptional circumstances, 3 days can be granted for the death of a more distant relative.