Plans for a new nursing pay structure still have to be debated

The UK's Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) recommended they should accept the final offer from their employers, the States.

The agreement made by Acas means the nurses will have an increase of 4.5% on wages earned from June 2002 and 5.15% from June 2003.

It also offers two weeks paid paternity leave.

The settlement concludes negotiations which began after staff asked for more than the rate of inflation at a time when the States are trying to limit manpower spending.

However, another round of talks to discuss a new pay structure for different grades of staff is still due to take place.

They are scheduled start in January 2004.