RNU President Yvette Coffey (Facebook)
The Registered Nurses Union says improvements have been made in the recruitment of nurses, but approximately 300 nursing positions remain vacant, which is “significant” for a province the size of Newfoundland and Labrador.
RNU President Yvette Coffey says she’s had positive conversations with both the previous and current governments but says retention remains a serious issue.
She says government needs to be focused on safer buildings, safer workplaces, and no mandatory overtime in order to keep nurses in the system.
Coffey says reliance on travel agency nurses remains high – especially in central Newfoundland, Labrador and on the west coast.
A new Urgent Care Clinic built and ready to go in Mount Pearl has yet to open to patients due to ongoing staffing challenges.