Nursing Strategy Makes Progress in Year Two

More nurses are being recruited, retained and trained in Nova Scotia through the province' s nursing strategy and Your Health Matters plan.

In releasing the second annual strategy update in the House of Assembly today, April 16, Health Minister Jane Purves credited the Provincial Nursing Network and nurses themselves for the strategy's success.

"The reason the strategy is working is simple," said Ms. Purves. "It was developed, and is being put into action, by nurses themselves -- based on first-hand and front-line experience."

Government is providing almost $60 million between 2001 and 2006 to support nursing and the nursing strategy.

"Hospital patients rely on their nurses more than anyone, as they have access to them day and night," Ms. Purves said. "In turn, nurses deserve our full support for the critical role they play in providing high-quality patient care, not only in our hospitals, but in our nursing homes and communities."

Highlights of the strategy from 2002-03 include:

• the recruitment of more than 110 nurses from outside the province;
• continued support for nurses in the work place, with new education programs like emergency nursing being offered. As well, an entire nursing unit at Soldier's Memorial Hospital in Middleton received training in areas such as cardiac monitoring and interpreting EKGs. Programs like these respond to the need for specialty nurses that the Annapolis Valley and other communities are now experiencing.
• the enrolment of 70 nurses in a new registered nurse re-entry program aimed at bringing nurses back into their profession;
• more than 350 nurses and speakers from across Canada attended a leadership conference held in Dartmouth in April 2003;
• new education programs, to train 240 more nurses, are getting underway. They are being offered outside Halifax to encourage more nurses to work in rural communities.

"The College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia is extremely pleased with the sustained commitment to the provincial nursing strategy," said Carolyn Moore, executive director of the college. "Building on the strength of its first year, the 2003-04 strategy will lead to even further gains in nursing leadership development, continuing education, recruitment, retention and policy priorities."

Cheryl Howell, vice-president of patient care services with the Cumberland District Health Authority, noted that the strategy has supported rural recruitment by doubling the number of co- operative education positions.

"Recruitment to rural practice can be challenging, but having co- operative work experience positions has assisted Cumberland County in showcasing our care settings to future registered nurses," she said.

In 2000, government hired Barb Oke to meet its commitment to hire a nurse as a nursing policy advisor. Ms. Oke led the creation of, and now chairs, the Provincial Nursing Network. The network is made up of employers, educators, unions, regulatory bodies and practising nurses.

Copies of the nursing strategy updates for 2001 and 2002 are available on the Department of Health's Web site at, www.gov.ns.ca/health/reports.htm .