SOURCE: Leader Post, May 11, 2015
Nurses can be said to be on the frontlines in the ongoing battle against illness and injury. They wage a daily war against broken bones, bacteria and, as shown in a recent survey, even bureaucracy.
The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) represents close to 10,000 registered nurses (RNs), registered nurse (nurse practitioner)s (RN(NP)s) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs), who provide health care to Saskatchewan residents across the province. A recent survey of its members, Voices from the Frontlines, paints a picture of dedicated professionals trying to provide the best care they can in what are often challenging conditions.
“Overall, our members, registered nurses here in Saskatchewan, have been telling us that patient care is in trouble. Staffing levels are under pressure and that is quantified by a stat that says that three-quarters of the province’s 10,000 registered nurses say they are aware of times when patients have been put at risk because of inadequate staffing levels,” said SUN president Tracy Zambory, RN. Yet repeated requests for additional staffing often go unanswered.
This, said Zambory, comes at the same time as people are entering the health-care system sicker than ever before. “They’re in a life and death situation most of the time now because of how health care is today. When their needs are that high, it is only a registered nurse who should be looking after them — that should be caring for them and leading that team — to get them through those situations,” she said.
Zambory said that registered nurses’ first priority is to ensure that Saskatchewan people receive the highest quality health care possible. “We know that, as registered nurses, we have the highest level of education and expertise on that health care team and we play a crucial leadership role,” she said, pointing out that it’s a four-year program to become a registered nurse. “We have the education and skills to deal with complex health care needs,” she said.
She finds it especially worrisome that, despite the years they devote to education, and their professional dedication, many nurses are considering leaving the field. “The one [statistic] that shocked me the most was that one-in-four registered nurses has considered leaving the profession and changing careers in the next 12 months,” she said.
The union’s website states that the survey emphasizes the need for everyone, nurses, as well as users of the system, to continue to push for a system that puts patients first and values the unique expertise, education, and experience that registered nurses possess. To that end, registered nurses are being encouraged to take an active role in discussions about the overall health-care system, and to wear white to set them apart from other health care providers.
Part of the focus of National Nursing Week is acknowledging the special role that nurses play in the health-care system, and in Canadians’ lives. This year’s theme, Nurses: With you every step of the way, emphasizes how important nurses are in everyone’s lives, regardless of age or health status.
While the recent survey raised a number of concerns, it also reinforced the fact that registered nurses are dedicated professionals trying to do the best job they can. With thousands of them working to provide the highest level of health care possible, Canadians can all be thankful when that white-clad person holds their hand and takes their pulse.
