Historical information
Distributed to nurses during campaigning for improved wages and working conditions in the 1980s, possibly during the historic 1986 Victorian 50-day nurses strike. 'Charge Nurse' refers to a Nurse Manager, and is less commonly used in Australia presently (it is still widely used in North America). The badge's message aims to inform the public that highly experienced and skilled nurses are leaving the profession due to inadequate wages and poor working conditions.
The Royal Australian Nursing Federation (RANF) became the Australian Nursing Federation in 1989, suggesting that this button is from the late 1980s. Similar to the badges worn in this photo [https://stories.anmfvic.asn.au/86strike/media/2560-1440-landscape-sec2-contentb-hr_logwf7a.jpg] from 1986 (see individual on the far right).
Physical description
Circular white and blue plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back.
Badge printed with 'I used to be a Charge Nurse' and 'R.A.N.F. [Royal Australian Nursing Federation] Vic. [Victorian] Branch'.
Subjects
References
- Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Victorian Branch: Our History Brief overview of the history of the Victorian nurses' union, including useful historic background for this badge.
- 30th anniversary digital exhibition: The 1986 50-day Victorian nurses and midwives strike A digital exhibition launched by the ANMF (Victorian Branch) on the 30th anniversary of the historic Victorian nurses’ and midwives’ strike. Includes video interviews with key figures, historic photos and primary materials.
