Edmonton - UNA First Vice-President Bev Dick spoke to the media today about Alberta Health Services' plan to rapid hire 100 Registered Nurses in Calgary, and future plans to rapid hire RNs in Edmonton, and across Alberta.
"That's something we haven't seen in a long, long time," Bev Dick told a Calgary media outlet. "We're very pleased to see that Alberta Health Services is thinking ahead and recognizing there needs to be some full-time positions."
AHS said the newly created positions are the beginning of a staff recruitment campaign launched by AHS to meet current demand and anticipated future need for RNs in Alberta, and to address critical staff shortages in areas of high demand.
The positions will be located in major facilities, rural sites and community programs, AHS said. Positions will be available in Operating Rooms, Emergency Departments, Mental Health, Home Care, Labour and Delivery, Neonatal ICU, Surgery and Hemodialysis and other areas.
The majority of the positions are full-time or high part-time jobs.
"More nurses equals better patient care, and better patient outcomes," said Dick.
