SASKATCHEWAN’S NURSING RECRUITMENT SUCCESS SHARED WITH CHIEF NURSING OFFICERS

Chief nursing officers from across Canada heard today about the leading edge work of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) and Government of Saskatchewan partnership agreement - the first of its kind in Canada.

The agreement has produced major progress toward the target of employing 800 more registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. The health regions now employ 560 more RNs and RPNs than when the partnership was signed, achieving 70 per cent of the target set by the SUN/government partnership.

"We're excited to share our good news with chief nursing officers from other jurisdictions across Canada," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This impressive progress toward our hiring target confirms the value of collaboration over confrontation. Our unique nursing partnership is a public policy initiative that I am extremely proud of."

Nursing vacancies have also declined, from 518 in October 2008 to 403 as of June 30, 2009.

The nursing officers also met with Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region officials to learn more about the Releasing Time to Care initiative - a patient-centred approach to improving the quality of care on hospital nursing units. The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and Five Hills Health Regions are the first in the province to implement the program.

The federal/provincial/territorial group of chief nursing officers meet in Regina from October 6 to 8.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083