“Retention, retention, retention” is the focus of contract negotiations underway between the Registered Nurses Union and government.

RNU President Yvette Coffey says there are more than 750 nursing vacancies in the province’s health care system, and with agency nurses being brought in at double and triple the rate of pay of full-time nurses, it’s causing division in the workplace.

“We need a collective agreement that shows registered nurses and nurse practitioners are valued and that they’re respected,” says Coffey.

She says the problems leading to the current health care crisis didn’t happen overnight, and there are no quick fixes.

“Even when this collective agreement gets signed, we’re still going to be pushing for the retention of registered nurses and nurse practitioners, and all other health care providers,” says Coffey. “It’s a team that keeps this health care system going.”