Where are the RNs? Health Region faces major shortage

They have paid RNs in the region overtime to fill the hours, but Batty said it was soon decided they needed a better fix.

In order to have an RN or LPN (licensed practical nurse) on site 24-7, and to save the PAPHR overtime costs, they posted permanent LPN positions.

“There are lots of LPNs graduating so those positions were posted permanently and it was actually quite successful,” said Batty, who described the current situation as, “much better.”

If they were eventually able to fill the RN positions, Batty said they would keep the LPNs on as well.

“We will be able to incorporate them into our staffing level, there would be no job loss to the LPNs in those positions,” she said.

Even though it has improved, the shortage isn’t something they expect to permanently solve, especially with nine positions empty.

“I don’t know how that compares to a year ago but I think it’s probably higher because these nine vacancies…have been vacant for quite some time,” said Batty. “It seems like it’s been gradually getting worse again, as our workforce is retiring, which is actually a huge concern because there we’ve got a large number of RN’s eligible for retirement and several have already retired.

“That is actually kind of what twigged the vacancies.”

According to Batty, several nurses and physicians left their position, retiring or moving out of the region, leaving many vacancies to be filled.

She said it can also be difficult to entice young graduates to accept jobs in the area.

“I think it’s part of what’s happening in rural Saskatchewan, our rural population is getting smaller and smaller and no one is attracted to apply for a job in a small rural facility,” said Batty. “Working alone would probably deter you because when you work in long-term care, in most cases you are the only RN in the building.

“The work load is quite heavy and I think fearful. It’s a little bit scary to think that you are the only person in the building.”

She said the job of an RN has also changed over the years.

“Our long-term care clients are not the same as they were 10 or 15 years ago. We have such a mix of complex care requirements in long-term care now,” said Batty. “We’ve got our frail elderly, we’ve got people with Alzheimer’s disease, we’ve got many people with chronic diseases and we’ve got our young acquired brain injury individuals who have all kinds of complex care needs.”

“I think overall, we in our health region are doing a very, very good job of meeting the needs of our very complex individuals.”

Within the region, Batty said there are also unique situations.

“Our population is getting older. We’ve got lots of chronic diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, addictions and hypertension,” said Batty. “All of those things are affecting the outcomes of our population.”

Touching on issues brought up by recent data, Batty also said it has to do with poverty within Prince Albert.

Batty said she’s unsure of the numbers outside the region, but, “It is definitely a provincial concern.”

At a recent province-wide health region meeting she attended, she said one thing was obvious.

“It is definitely more prevalent in the rural areas than it is in the larger centres for sure.”

The PAPHR is offering some bursaries for those who accept positions in a rural facility.

Across the region, there are 11 long-term care facilities with a need for 24-7 nursing.

–With files from Khang Nguyen.

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Where are the RNs? Health Region faces major shortage

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