Government of Canada Supports National Initiative to Help Recruit and Retain Nurses

Mar 06, 2009: Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq greets nursing students, Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Misericordia Health Centre in Winnipeg, where she announced funding of $4.2 million over three years to the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - March 6, 2009) - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced federal support to help recruit and retain nurses in Canada.

"Our Government is committed to helping ensure there are sufficient medical professionals in the Canadian health system," said Minister Aglukkaq. (This funding will help improve the recruitment and retention of nurses across Canada. In so doing, it will further strengthen the healthcare provided to Canadians and improve the work life of those in the profession."

Support is being provided to Research to Action: Applied Workplace Solutions for Nurses, a new initiative being undertaken by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions to improve recruitment and retention strategies through projects in nine provinces across Canada. Each of the nine projects will be a collaboration between a local health sector employer, the provincial nurses union and the provincial government.

"These projects are examples of nurses' organizations, employers and all levels of government working together to resolve issues in the public health care system," said Linda Silas, RN, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. "The tremendous commitment demonstrated by all parties will be needed as we work towards addressing the significant challenges posed by nursing shortages."

The projects will focus on:

- mentoring and new training programs;

- providing critical care and emergency nursing education programs;

- improving patient nursing care;

- enhanced training for nurses new to caring for the elderly, and

- placement and orientation requirements for new graduates.

More than $4 million in funding is being provided by Health Canada through the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy which supports projects that help ensure an adequate supply of health care providers while promoting optimal working conditions for these individuals.

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