SUNstoppable Spotlight

Registered Nurses Achieve Success through Independent Assessment Committee

SUN is pleased to share that the RN staff from Local 101, St. Paul’s Hospital, 5th Medicine Unit and SUN Provincial have successfully escalated 41 Work Situation Reports (WSRs).   

A pattern of workload and professional practice concerns has arisen since 2019 without the ability to achieve collaborative problem-solving or resolution within the Joint Nursing Advisory Committee (NAC) or the SHA Board of Directors. 

An Independent Assessment Committee (IAC) is the last resort within the collective agreement to address workload concerns specific to registered nurses.

The IAC Panel of three registered nurse experts unanimously confirmed the concerns brought forward by SUN members and stated:     

The IAC believes it is crucial to cultivate an environment on 5th Medicine where nurses want to work, thereby attracting and retaining nurses who feel supported and able to carry out their professional responsibilities and in turn, increasing the quality of patient care (2023, p. 44).

The IAC panel made 29 recommendations reflecting 4 primary themes:

  • Patient complexity affecting safe patient care and nursing workload
  • RN staffing deficits and challenges
  • System flow issues, and
  • Communication issues.

Binding recommendations have been confirmed between SHA Leadership and SUN, and are inclusive of:

  • Immediately implement an increase to baseline RN staffing as follows:
  • Eight (8) RNs on every shift (Days, Nights, including weekends and statutory holidays).
  • Implementation of a Nurse B Clinical Coordinator Monday-Friday (1530-2400).
  • Supernumerary Charge Nurse – weekdays (1530 – 0730) and 24/7 on bank days, stat holidays and weekends with a focus on charge nurse duties and mentoring novice staff.
  • Allocation of adequate budget and posting all positions for the recommended increase to baseline staffing and permanent evening position.
  • Design a new rotation that safeguards coverage of all shifts.

The non-binding recommendations are referred to SUN Local 101 and the Employer for ongoing discussion to create a healthy quality work environment focused on safe, competent, high-quality, and appropriate registered nursing practice and healthcare services.

You can review WSR/NAC Learning Modules & Resources and NAC Leadership on the SUN website to learn more about work situation reports and the nursing advisory process.