SUNstoppable Spotlight

Registered Nurses Achieve Success through Independent Assessment Committee

SUN is pleased to share that the RN staff from Local 075, Royal University Hospital Emergency Department and SUN Provincial have successfully escalated 127 unresolved Work Situation Reports (WSRs).   

A pattern of workload and professional practice concerns has developed since 2019 without collaborative problem-solving by the Joint Nursing Advisory Committee 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 current staffing approach of augmenting the historic funded baseline with casual, OT and contract nurses is not sustainable and makes it increasingly difficult for the nurses in the department to meet the standards they are held accountable for and the policies of the Employer (IAC, 2024, p. 40). 

… these initiatives [SHA strategic initiatives] and reported outcomes to date have not resolved the overcapacity issues or the requirement for immediate attention to the RUH ED nurse concerns and recommendations (IAC, 2024, p. 40).

Binding recommendations have been confirmed between SHA Leadership and SUN.  Collaborative work will continue between Local 75 and unit leadership to implement the permanent increases to baseline RN staffing inclusive of:   

  • Increase RN Baseline Staffing
    • Three (3) additional RNs on Day Shift (0730 – 1947)
    • Three (3) additional RNs on Night Shift (1930 – 0747)
    • One (1) additional RN on Evenings (1130 – 2347)
  • One (1) additional Nurse Clinician
  • One (1) additional Clinical Nurse Educator
  • Employer to conduct a unit-specific detailed review to inform staffing, based on:
    • Arrivals by time of day,
    • Census by time of day categorized by service, ANB, ED, consult and/or specialty/sub-specialty patients, and
    • Observation/monitored patient numbers and care requirements/criteria to describe the acuity of ongoing patient care.
  • Transition of the ED Flex Unit to a Medicine In-Patient unit without reliance on the Emergency Department for staffing.

Additional non-binding recommendations were received that will support further development for improved patient care, services, and work environment.

SUN Local 75 and the Local Nursing Advisory Committee will continue working with the employer 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.