Health Sciences Centre (VOCM News)
The Registered Nurses Union is welcoming a province-wide core staffing review now underway, the first comprehensive tally in more than three decades.
The review, which was negotiated by the RNU back in 2019, has been seven years coming to fruition.
RNU President Yvette Coffey says the review will look at a range of nursing positions at six sites across the province, including the long-term care facility in Corner Brook, James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander, community and public health, units 4 North A and 4 North B at the Health Sciences, the clinic in Forteau, and the hospital and Lions Manor in Placentia.
That includes registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses and personal care attendants, covering acute care, long-term care and community health.
“So it’s going to tell us what the right number is of each designation that’s needed in each site or work area throughout Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. We will take that information then and extrapolate it to other areas in health care.”
Coffey says they’re hoping that a clearer picture of the needs and gaps will help with more targeted recruitment and retention efforts. The review is expected to be completed by the spring.