My job in Belgium: How much does a geriatric nurse earn?

What is your job?
I work as a geriatric nurse in a retirement/nursing home run by the OCMW (CPAS) in Geraardsbergen. I have been working there since 2002. Actually, I began working there as an auxiliary nurse. In 2006, through the adult education school, I began studying to be a nurse in combination with working part time. My job description is very extensive: from care-giving duties (meal-time routines, morning and evening care, dispensing medicines) and nursing tasks (taking blood samples, catheterisation, injections, wound care) to administrative tasks (student training, communication with doctors/families, making appointments, keeping files up to date). So lots of very different tasks.

Do you like your job?
My job can be very tiring, but after 15 years I still like my job. Refresher courses are a must in order to keep up-to-date. A great friendly team is also good for the working atmosphere.

Would you change your job for a higher salary?
Honestly, who wouldn’t think of doing that? But there are numerous benefits that I have now that I could not get anywhere else.

What exactly do you earn?
I earn €3,012 per month gross. My net salary strongly depends on overtime, public holidays and evening shifts. My net salary starts from €1,870 excluding fringe benefits (of which there are many): a generous leave scheme, 16 extra days of holidays, travel expenses, seniority days, hospitalisation insurance, extra pay for evening shifts, weekends and public holidays, meal cheques (€6 per working day) and flexitime. I also get a yearly bonus thanks to my extra geriatric qualifications.

What do you think of your salary?
I can’t really complain because after 15 years of service, next year I will move into a higher pay scale and I’m thinking of working 80% time.

How many hours a week do you work?
36 hours per week but that strongly depends on circumstances.

Do you save?
Yes, but the amount differs from month to month.

Do you think of your pension?
I definitely save for my pension but I don’t think about my own retirement. Everything changes so quickly that I will think about it when the time comes.

What is your biggest expense?
My house repayments and house costs.

What can you definitely not spend money on?
Straight away I think of house decorations: of all those mass produced drawings and paintings that you can buy everywhere. I prefer something more original and unique for my house.

What do you gladly spend money on?
Healthy eating. I’m a healthy gourmand.

What would you do it you won the lottery? What do you dream of?
Simple: travel around the world, pay off my mortgage, give some to my parents and my brother and buy a unique piece of art, an original Panamarenko or an original drawing by Hergé, Peyo or Albert Uderzo.