As a result of the requirement for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to declare publicly when an emergency room is closed, the SHA has articulated the work standard related to this matter for employees. SUN has reviewed the Work Standard and can advise that, specific to logging a service disruption related to Nursing Services, requires the following criteria to be met:

  • Nursing complement below 2 professional nursing staff, one being a Registered Nurse, able to respond to the ED.

  • Request to fill Nursing shifts must be submitted to scheduling.

  • Should nursing coverage be found, to ensure the disruption is discontinued.

SUN has recently heard from some of our members who work in rural facilities with an Emergency Department (ED) and they have indicated that the criteria in the work standard, of two (2) professional nursing staff, one (1) being a registered nurse, will mean a change in their current staffing practice of two (2) registered nurses in their facility. SUN members state that this change has been implemented at certain sites, and impacted members have raised significant concerns about their ability to provide safe patient care as a result.

 

Here’s what SUN is doing:

SUN has reached out to the nursing regulatory bodies. The College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) provided the following:  

  • Assigning a specific number of RNs (one per Facility Designation Regulations) without considering the context of care—such as patient needs, RN experience and competence, and available resources—may increase risks for patients and compromise RNs’ ability to meet practice standards and the code of ethics.

  • Clear escalation criteria and mechanisms should be available for every shift.

  • RNs should report concerns about safe practice through established processes (e.g., WSR).

  • RNs at the point of care are best positioned to identify gaps, contribute to work standards, and offer solutions.

  • RNs are expected to work collaboratively with their managers to resolve concerns.

 

Here’s what you can do if you have insufficient staffing or workload concerns:

  • Initiate low-level resolution: contact your Out-of-Scope Manager/Designate, for resolution and solutions;

  • If you believe additional staff are necessary and no registered nurse management personnel are available, exercise your right as the registered nurse in charge and call in the additional staff required;

  • Document: If the issue is not resolved, notify the employer that a Work Situation Report (WSR) will be completed;

  • Notify your Local President;

  • Contact your Labour Relations Officer and/or Nurse Practice Officer; 

  • Contact your nursing regulatory body.

Remember, you are not alone.