SUNstoppable Spotlight
Registered Nurses Achieve Success through Independent Assessment Committee
SUN is pleased to share that the RN staff from Local 75 at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Children’s Emergency Services and SUN Provincial have successfully escalated 68 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:
Staff shortages combined with high workloads and acuity contribute to RN concerns that the IAC members heard from the IAC presentations and review of submitted documentation (IAC, 2023, p. 46).
The current staffing model 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 SHA (IAC, 2023, p. 46).
Binding recommendations have been confirmed between SHA Leadership and SUN. Work will continue between Local 75 and unit leadership to implement the increased baseline staffing for Saskatchewan's dedicated pediatric trauma and emergency children's care site, including:
- One Supernumerary Charge Nurse 24 hours per day, 7 days per week without a patient assignment
- Increase baseline RN staffing, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week:
- One additional baseline permanently funded Registered Nurse for the core nursing unit.
- One additional Triage Registered Nurse.
- One additional Psychiatric Nurse Liaison, 12 hours per day, 7 days per week.
- Retain temporarily funded RN (for viral surge) from 10:00 until 22:00 until May 2024.
- Pilot Project: One Nurse Practitioner 8 hours per day, 7 days per week to support primary care and/or ‘fast track’ model. To be operationalized within 18 months and last 2 years.
- Collaboration on the status of wait room space and enhancement and role of an NP within the unit.
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 to work collaboratively with the employer to create a healthy 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.
