The Registered Nurses Union is putting their support behind striking staff at Memorial University.
President Yvette Coffey was out on the picket line near the University Centre earlier today.
(Yvette Coffey File Photo)
Nursing students recently spoke up about the strike, and how it is impacting their ability to do their clinicals and could potentially hinder them graduating on time. Coffey says the union has been hearing from those same students.
Coffey acknowledges the impact a delayed graduation could have on the nursing shortage—noting that even one new nurse entering the field is a help to the current situation.
She explains that there are currently over 600 vacancies in the system, with another 900 nurses eligible for retirement in the next few years.
As an example, she says the emergency department in Goose Bay has eight out of 10 positions vacant right now. Meanwhile, she states a nearby satellite school has eight students in it, noting the impact that would be felt for Goose Bay should all those students graduate on time.
