The RN staff from Local 243, Yorkton Regional Health Centre: 3 South Surgery and SUN Provincial have successfully escalated 87 Work Situation Reports (WSRs), and 39 subsequent WSRs.

Since 2022, a pattern of workload and professional practice concerns has been documented on WSRs without resolution found by the Joint Nursing Advisory Committee, Unit Leadership, or through escalation to 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 and to resolve WSRs.

The IAC Panel of three RN experts confirmed SUN Member professional practice and patient safety concerns, stating in the conclusion:      

It is the hope of the Committee members that the insights gained by the participants during the IAC process, and the findings and recommendations contained in this report, will provide assistance in resolving these difficult issues. While our focus in this process has been to address areas of concern for RNs in their ability to meet the practice expectations outlined in their professional standards and competencies documents, our ultimate concern is for safety and wellbeing of the patients and their families. (IAC, 2025, p. 115).

The IAC Panel provided professional practice and safety recommendations addressing five primary matters:

  • Acuity, Complexity, Dependency, Workload and Staffing Complement

  • Patient Safety Issues

  • Staffing

  • Orientation and Onboarding

  • Recruitment and Retention

Binding recommendations have been confirmed between SHA Leadership, SUN Provincial, and Local 243 and are inclusive of:

  • Registered Nurse Staffing:

    • Increase RN Float to 12-hour Day shift, 7 days/week

    • Addition of one 12-hour RN Night shift, 7 days/week

    • Addition of one 12-hour RN Float Night shift, 7 days/week

    • Addition of one 12-hour RN on Day and Night shifts as a Supernumerary Charge Nurse

  • Formal education/training for Charge Nurses and ensure that each RN completes the training before being assigned as a Supernumerary Charge Nurse.

  • Implement a formal, regularized, transparent, evidence-based and collaboratively developed onboarding program for new graduates and nurses new to the unit that includes but is not limited to orientation, coaching, mentoring, and peer support.

  • Ensure that all nursing staff are up to date on mandatory reviews to complete required certifications and training.

  • Develop and implement patient population inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Local 243, Yorkton Regional Health Centre, and SHA Unit Leadership will continue to discuss the report's non-binding recommendations for an improved work environment focused on safe, competent, high-quality, and appropriate RN practice and healthcare services.

To learn more about WSRs, the Nursing Advisory Process, and the Joint Nursing Advisory Committee, you can review the SUN website's WSR/NAC Learning Modules & Resources and NAC Leadership.