JUNE 2009 Issue 9
Augmenting Registered Nurses in Saskatchewan
A Vital Partnership Forges Ahead
T
he Cypress Health Region new RN/RPN positions. In total, geted approaches to the
and the Saskatchewan $225,000 of the Cypress Health Recruitment and Retention of RNs
Union of Nurses (SUN) are Region’s portion will be used to and RPNs.
working together to fulfill their enhance its recruitment and reten-
The Ministry of Health believes
joint commitment of recruiting tion initiatives. Additionally, by
that this partnership is the begin-
800 new nursing positions within 2011 the Region will see its current
ning of a solid foundation.
the province of Saskatchewan over RN/RPN FTE’s of approximately
the next four years. 195 increase to 210.
“The partnership lays the foun-
dation for a more positive and
On February 28th, 2008, the
collaborative relationship with
Government of Saskatchewan and
“What excites me about this
the government, SUN, and health
SUN signed a partnership agree-
program is knowing that
regions,” commented Joleen
ment that would see them work
there is going to be, without Klassen, Nursing Recruitment and
together to solve the nursing
a doubt, improvement to all
Retention Consultant for the
shortage throughout Saskatchewan.
workplaces in Saskatchewan
Ministry of Health. “These targets
The partnership was the first of its
with increased numbers or
can only be achieved if we all
kind in the country. Members of the Cypress Health Region, Saskatchewan Union of
Registered Nurses. Also,
work together and remember our
Nurses, and the Ministry of Health on June 3, 2009.
Members of the Cypress Health
knowing that RN’s are being
common goal is a stable, sustain-
Region and SUN joint committee able health care system that pro-
met in Swift Current for the sec-
included in this process
vides Saskatchewan people with
Following the partnership announcement
ond time on June 3rd to further
increases my feelings that
safe, high quality health services.” between the Government of
strengthen their partnership, and
this will be successful.”
Representatives from the
Saskatchewan and SUN, laudable
to work collaboratively towards
Brenda Groves, RN,
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses
progress has been made throughout the
reaching hiring targets.
Cypress Health Region share the same belief.
province in several key areas:
Of the 800 new nursing posi-
Competition: Salaries for Saskatchewan nurs-
tions to be created in
Saskatchewan, the Cypress Health
“What excites me about this
es are now directly competitive with other
To date, the Cypress Health
Region has been granted funding
Region has engaged in a number
partnership is the opportuni-
provinces.
to increase their Registered
of recruitment and retention ini-
ty to rebuild Saskatchewan’s
Declining Vacancies: Vacancies have declined
Nurse/Registered Psychiatric
tiatives. Attending career fairs
nursing workforce to provide
from 793 last fall to 617 on December 31,
Nurse (RN/RPN) positions by
with colleges, universities, and
optimal health services for
2008.
approximately 20 full time equiv-
health organizations has allowed the people of Saskatchewan,
alents (FTE). While the region
the region to promote itself to
and improved work environ-
Specific Targets: Regional hiring targets have
has already filled approximately 8
prospective employees, while
ments for our nurses.”
been established for each health region.
of these 20 FTE’s, another 12
online and print advertising has
RN/RPNs will be recruited by
informed residents from other
Daphne Andreas, RN,
Evidence-based strategies: The partnership
2011. This increase will reduce
provinces of the opportunities in
Cypress Health Region
table is developing indicators and gathering
workplace burnout and propel
evidence to support decision-making regard-
the region. Financial assistance
the Region to further success
for hard to recruit positions
ing retention and recruitment initiatives.
“Committee members are posi-
recruiting and retaining
through the health region's relo-
tive, creative and the level of
Commitment, Effort, and Collaboration: The
RN/RPN’s. In the past year, 26
cation reimbursement with grants
enthusiasm is phenomenal," joint SUN/Health Region Retention and
new graduate and RN/RPNs have
from the Provincial government
commented Jennifer Plewis,
Recruitment Committees envisioned by the
been hired by the Cypress Health
have attracted health profession-
Labour Relations Consultant for
Region.
SUN/Government partnership completed ori-
als to southwest Saskatchewan.
the Cypress Health Region. The
entation sessions and have begun meeting to
In March of 2008, $60 million
The funding through the Joint
momentum established at this
design region-specific retention and recruit-
in government funding was
Recruitment and Retention
committee will ensure achieve-
ment initiatives, supported by $4.3 million
released to aid Saskatchewan’s
Committee will allow the Cypress
ment of the common goal to
Health Regions fulfill the govern-
Health Region to expand on these
recruit and retain RN/RPNs to the
from the SUN/government partnership fund.
ment’s promise of creating 800
initiatives and develop more tar-
Cypress Health Region.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
It’s a new day Heart & Stroke Vanguard P.A.R.T.Y.
Message from the CEO . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Heart and Stroke Emergencies . . . . 2-3
There are obvious Thousands of Canadians P.A.R.T.Y. is an acronym
Utilizing Emergency Departments . . 3
differences between the die each year because for Preventing Alcohol
Canadian Armed they do not acquire and Risk-Related Trauma
Staff Appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Forces, the Cypress medical treatment early in Youth and has been Dr. Noble Irwin Anniversary . . . . . . .5
Health Region, and the enough when they demonstrated in south-
Lean Six Sigma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Ministry of Health. exhibit signs of a stroke west communities
General Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
or heart attack. including Vanguard,
Jim Hornell, CEO
Shaunavon and Eastend.
Releasing Time to Care . . . . . . . . . . .8
Reducing Sick Leave and WCB Claims . . .8
See MESSAGE Page 2 See SIGNS Pages 2-3 See P.A.R.T.Y. Page 7
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