The Registered Nurses Union is encouraging residents to speak up and contact their local MHAs and government officials in support of registered nurses and nurse practitioners about the challenges they face.
The RNU says nurses are doing all they can to meet the needs of patients, but they are facing “mounting obstacles” in being able to do so.
The union says they are becoming “increasingly concerned” about what they’re calling the “centralized decision-making model” adopted by NL Health Services.
They say the local autonomy of nurse leaders has been removed , leading to inconsistent staffing practices, including the “frequent” reassignment of staff and a loss of flexibility – which they argue directly affects patient care.
Moreover, they argue that the pace at which concerns from frontline staff are being addressed is “concerning,” noting that delays in responding to issues such as workload accommodations, harassment, workplace violence, and occupational health and safety are creating unnecessary risk for both staff and patients.
Meanwhile, they state that there is a “growing reliance” on agency nurses that has done little for long-term stability, and public dollars are being put towards temporary measures instead of local and permanent jobs.
Further to that point, the RNU cites the findings of the latest Auditor General report on agency nursing contracts and their calls for a full investigation into the matter by the Public Accounts Committee.
With all that in mind, the union is asking residents to contact their MHAs and ask for investments in long-term health care planning, appropriate staffing, and support for those on the front lines.
