The Newfoundland and Labrador government has outlined a range of short-term incentives to retain nurses as the province grapples with hundreds of vacancies and even more consider leaving the profession.
“We know that nurses have carried an incredibly heavy load especially in the last two years,” Prime Minister Andrew Fury told reporters on Tuesday.
“But beyond that, they are the heart and soul of the health care system.”
This heavy lifting has resulted in a large number of nurses considering a new career in Newfoundland and Labrador.
A recent survey of 700 local nurses shows that half of them are considering leaving their permanent positions for casual work.
Nearly one in six have considered leaving the profession altogether.
A think tank of nurses and government officials was convened in April to consider possible solutions. That work helped fuel the measures announced Tuesday.
“We want to ensure that we provide a climate that ensures that we can not only retain nurses, but also recruit nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador,” Health Minister Tom Osborne said.
Among the new short-term incentives:
- Retention bonuses available to members of the NL Union of Registered Nurses for a minimum one-year commitment.
- Signing bonuses for casual registered nurses to accept a full-time or part-time position in an “area of need” for a minimum of one year.
- “Double overtime” for vacation periods, as part of efforts to strengthen the ability to provide nurses with annual leave and reduce the number of mandatory and extended shifts.
- Reimbursement of license fees and payment of liability insurance for retired nurses who wish to return to work for a specified period.
All these benefits are available until October 31st.
In addition, a registered first-class pilot project has been established to support the work of selected positions at Labrador-Grenfell Health.
There are also plans for more mental health support and consideration of childcare options for people not working nine to five.
Scholarships are available for third-year students in a Bachelor of Nursing program.
More than 600 current vacancies in the system
There are currently over 600 vacancies and another 900 nurses who will soon be eligible to retire.
The president of the Union of Registered Nurses in the Netherlands, Yvette Coffey, says the shortage did not happen overnight and will not be fixed overnight.
“We are here today to announce hope — for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, health care workers and our patients,” Coffey said.
“We all hear the stories every day: nurses leaving, patients waiting for surgeries and procedures, backlogs in emergency rooms. We hope this will give hope to our members and the public in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The Prime Minister agreed and emphasized the importance of cooperative relations.
“I think in response to Ms. Coffey’s point, it gives hope and optimism for the future,” Fury said.
“Again, nothing is going to change immediately overnight, but this is a recognition from the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and this government [of] the value that nurses bring to the system, to the table, to society.”
Nikki Parsons, a longtime nurse in rural Newfoundland, says her profession is in crisis and recently spoke out to let the public know the realities of the situation. (NL Union of Registered Nurses)
The announcement received cautious support from the two provincial opposition parties.
“You know it’s good to finally see the government sit down with the groups and talk, talk,” Tory health critic Paul Dean said.
“The word ‘collaboration’ has been bandied about so much over the last few years … I believe the Prime Minister said it gives some hope that you are realizing what collaboration is and you are starting to listen to those on the front line.”
Interim NDP Leader Jim Dean said, “At first glance, it looks like the government is finally starting to listen to the needs of workers and the people who represent them. And it will also provide better care for those who depend on doctors and nurses.”
At this stage, the province is declining to specify the dollar value of all of these incentives, although those figures are expected to be released soon.
Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
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