Editor,
Re: Nurse sounds the alarm over staffing at 性视界传媒 hospital (性视界传媒 Now-Leader, Aug. 29)
As a retired Registered Nurse (RN for 24 years), I found myself very distressed to read that this nurse felt so unsafe in their workplace that they had to reach out to the media for help.
Perhaps the employer and government should take some positive initiatives to help fill the nurse vacancies and make everyone safe.
Some suggestions were given by the BC Nurses Union president and the RN who spoke out, such as: bring nurses to the table to ask them for ideas. Set safe nurse-to-patient ratios.
I think it would go a long way, like with new doctors, for nurse student loans to be forgiven if they commit to working somewhere for a designated length of time. Bring back the diploma program as an option to the bachelor's degree for nurses. Open up more seats for nurses in the colleges/universities.
Another suggestion by the nurse was to create a pool of nurses to draw from who would be willing to "float" to other units and give them adequate job shadowing/orientation so they feel comfortable and are familiar with the layout and actual working of the unit.
Until the employer and the government come to the table with the nurses, nothing will change, and it will only compound as this nurse has detailed: Emergency room nurses have been leaving 性视界传媒 for awhile. Threatening to fire the nurses for non-compliance is not a winning solution ... instead petty and bullying.
You can recruit all the nurses you want, but if you can't retain them, it's a moot point.
This is not brain surgery 鈥� it just takes a true leader and some political will. I hope someone can step up to that plate for the safety and well-being of these nurses and their patients. If the nurse is unsafe, then very likely the patient is at risk because the relationship is symbiotic.
A "nurse" is not just a "nurse." Nurses are highly educated and trained to specialize in very specific areas of health care.
Would you assign the janitor to fly the plane?
Renee Kennedy, 性视界传媒
