For Immediate Release October 25, 2005
Nurses show increasing satisfaction with their work although concerns persist about staffing levels and quality of care
UNA releases survey results at start of provincial nurses’ meeting
The shortage of nurses and heavy workloads remain major issues facing Registered Nurses according to a phone survey of United Nurses of Alberta members. Results also showed nurses continue to have concerns about quality of care in an understaffed environment, but also that most nurses are happy with their career and prepared to recommend it to young people looking for an occupation.
“That’s a change, “ said UNA President, Heather Smith. “Just a few years ago, nurses were telling their children and friends not to go into the profession, but our survey showed that now over 80% of nurses would recommend nursing to others.”
UNA is releasing selected survey results at the opening of the organization’s provincial Annual General Meeting in Edmonton, Tuesday, October 25, 2005.
The nurses’ union commissioned the study in part to look at nurses’ views on the Local structure of the organization. Delegates at the AGM are considering how to modify UNA’s structure to deal with the region-wide bargaining units legislated in 2003 by Bill 27.
The survey of over 1,000 members was conducted for UNA in August by Viewpoints Research from Winnipeg. It also showed that more nurses believe the quality of care is declining rather than improving and many nurses expect care quality to erode further.
The survey indicates that about 5,000 nurses will be retiring or leaving the profession over the next five years. “That’s 20% of our entire nursing workforce,” Heather Smith points out. “The Health Regions face a daunting recruitment challenge to open the hundreds of hospital beds that they announced last week,” she said.
“Inadequate staffing is a legacy of the destruction in the 1990s,” Heather Smith said. “Building new beds alone will not address wait times or concerns about patient safety. We need more nurses but we will not have truly sustainable retention and recruitment until nurses can be assured they will be working in an environment which does not compromise ethical, quality patient care.”
The survey also showed nurses are highly satisfied with the performance of their union. Over 80% reported they were very satisfied or satisfied being a part of UNA.
“We were very pleased the results showed nurses are confident their organization is on the right track,” Heather Smith commented.
“We are doing our best to make sure Registered nursing is a profession of choice for young Albertans. Our province needs to attract thousands of nurses and we have a part in that.”
The provincial meeting brings together 650 local representatives and observers from across the province. A special panel addressing the long-term care crisis in the province is also on the agenda. Although elections are being held for some regional board representatives, no provincial officer elections are being held as the 1st and 2nd Vice President positions were returned to office acclaimed.
Three segments of the meeting are open to the public and the media:
9 am Tuesday, October 25
Heather Smith’s address
1-2 pm Tuesday, October 25
Panel of Experts on Long-term Care
-Harvey Voogd, Friends of Medicare
-Carol Wodak, family member
-Wendy Armstrong, health researcher
-Bridget Pastoor, MLA and member of the MLA Task Force on Long-term Care
3:30 pm Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Address by three representatives from the striking UFCW workers at Lakeside Packers in Brooks
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