B.C. looks to be bucking a national trend as it pertains to retaining nurses.
According to a new report from the Montreal Economic Institute says for every 100 registered nurses under the age of 35, the national average of 40 left the profession – that figure is considerably lower in our province at 27.
BC Nurses Union President, Adrienne Gear told Vista Radio while the report paints a good picture, keeping up with the nurse to patient ratios is a big key going forward.
“I’d like to think that we have created some optimism in regards to the policy agreement we have with the Ministry of Health to implement nurse to patient ratios. I think that has generated some excitement and optimism for nurses and nurses from other jurisdictions are making decisions on where they want to practice.”
“There has also been some really good initiatives that we have been able to advocate for. There is the provincial rural and remote incentive for nurses that are working in and other health care workers that are working in smaller communities in B.C.”
In September, the provincial government touched on its success in acquiring medical professionals from south of the border.
All told, 140 health care workers accepted jobs, 80 of which were nurses followed by 16 nurse practitioners and 38 doctors.
Gear added the issue of work-life balance remains in play as some nurses are leaving for private outfits, while getting paid similar or better money.
“We also know that we lose members to private agency nursing. Part of it is the money but the secondary reason why nurses leave is that they do not have control over their work-life balance.”
In addition, the Nurses Union began negotiations for a new contract with the province earlier this week.
The union is once again asking for improved working conditions as part of any new deal.
“We need to have an agreement that is the most competitive in the country. If we are going to continue to recruit and retain nurses that has been a factor. In our last run of collective bargaining it saw us being the highest paid nurses in the country. Other places have now passed us because newer contracts have been negotiated.”
“We also have to address the other conditions of work like violence in the work place. 50% of my members who recently participated in a survey says they experience violence on the job at least once a month. “
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