for starters, we need to restore hope in two ways. first, by giving them a light at the end of the tunnel with firm timelines and real accountability for improving nurse-patient ratios. that means funding proven programs to retain and recruit more nurses, including returning those who have left the profession.
and funding for more nursing seats, bridging programs, new mentorship initiatives and support for transitioning internationally educated nurses.
and, second, by providing immediate and ongoing support for nurses’ mental health programs.
nursing has always been a tough job. people go into the profession for that very reason because they want to help people and aren’t afraid of a challenge. the problem is it’s not a tough job anymore, it’s an impossible one.
canada’s nurses are some of the strongest, most resilient people we know. they have seen great hardship and suffering in their patients, so they do not ask for help lightly. and if we don’t take immediate action, we risk suffering a system-wide failure of our treasured universal public health-care system.
next week, federal, provincial, and territorial governments will assemble at the council of the federation meeting to discuss health care. it is time all levels of government make critically needed investments in nursing.