Burnout, shortage of nurses a problem, says the BC Nurses' Union
The British Columbia Nurses' Union is calling on the provincial government to take action on the prime concerns discussed at its annual convention held virtually this week.
Burnout, the nursing shortage and violence in the workplace were the issues of most concern discussed by nurses at the convention, says a news release put out by the BCNU on Friday.
Union president Christine Sorensen praised nurses in her opening remarks for their toughness over the past year handling both the pandemic and the overdose crisis, both established as public health emergencies by the B.C. government.
“Working together as a family of nurses during this pandemic has shown us the strength in unity and the importance of supporting each other in our partnerships and teams,” Sorensen said.
She called on nurses to put pressure on their local MLAs to effect change on things like retention and recruitment of nurses.
Members were given time at the convention, to email their provincial government representatives about the subjects as well as what the BCNU calls an “unacceptable level of violence” in the workplace.
“Nothing should go back to normal. Normal wasn’t working. If we go back to the way things were, we will have lost the lesson,” said Sorensen.
The first BCNU convention was held on June 11, 1980 at the Empress Hotel where 200 nurses gathered, according to the union. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the union.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.