NEW INITIATIVES TO KEEP AND ATTRACT NURSES

Saskatchewan is accelerating its efforts to retain and recruit nurses for the province, as part of its more than $500 million commitment to be spent over three years on health worker retention and recruitment initiatives.

Health Minister Len Taylor today announced:

• Doubling the recruitment target to be met with increased funding for recruitment grants;
•  A provincial nursing mentorship program coupled with funding to guarantee new graduates with a position to work alongside experienced nurses, thereby enabling them to transition to a permanent position; 
• Funding for professional development; and 
• Funding for the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association to assess internationally educated nurses.

"Keeping and attracting nurses is a top priority of this government, as part of our plan to reduce wait lists and improve access to services," Taylor said. "We are committed to reasonable, achievable measures to ensure there are enough health care workers in Saskatchewan to meet the needs of our residents, and I believe today's initiatives will accelerate our progress toward that goal."

Saskatchewan is doubling its nursing recruitment target from 400 to 800. To reach this new target, an additional four million dollars will be invested in existing recruitment grants programs. To date, 377 health employees have received these grants: 244 nurses and 133 other health workers.

All new Saskatchewan registered nurse and registered psychiatric nurse graduates will receive a guaranteed position to work alongside experienced nurses. This enables them to transition into a permanent position. The guaranteed positions are over and above those already in the system. This mentorship program will also delay the retirement of experienced nurses by reducing their workload so they can work with new graduates. The total cost of the mentorship program and job guarantee is $12.4 million.

Two million dollars is being invested in professional development for nurses, with health regions allocating funds based on nurses' needs in their region.

As well, an additional $300,000 over three years goes to the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association to improve its capacity to assess internationally educated nurses wishing to work in Saskatchewan's health system.

Five million dollars in funding for the mentorship program and the $2 million for nursing professional development comes from the $25 million fund announced last fall. All of the rest of the initiatives are new funding, totalling $11.7 million.

Today's initiatives build on other new programs aimed at retaining and recruiting valuable health providers, including more training seats, more safety equipment, and recruitment and retention grants, and are part of the nationally recognized strategy, Saskatchewan's Health Workforce Action Plan.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca