MEDIA ADVISORY: How many of Hamilton’s registered practical nurses (RPNs) are considering quitting? Media conference outside St. Joe’s Friday 11 a.m.

Event Information

Begins: 5 May 2023
Location: Hamilton, ON

HAMILTON, ON –/COMMUNITYWIRE/– A poll of more than 1000 Ontario registered practical nurses found that over 60% are considering leaving. At a media conference in front of Hamilton’s St. Joseph’s Healthcare, May 5, 2023 – in advance of this year’s nursing week (May 8 -14), RPNs represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and SEIU Healthcare will talk about what’s driving their exodus from the front-lines. 

The provincial poll that included RPNs from Hamilton was conducted by Nanos Research on behalf of the two unions. RPNs were asked about their experiences over the last few years working through a health care crisis, made worse by short staffing, resignations, burnout, violence, and dangerous working conditions that are unsafe for both patients and RPNs. 

The poll also chronicles the changing high function role of RPNs in the health system over the period when the Ford government unconstitutionally suppressed their wages and presided over a record number of nursing vacancies.  

WHO:
Sharon Richer, Secretary-Treasurer, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU-CUPE)
Jackie Walker – RPN and Nursing Division President, SEIU Healthcare
Liz Schramm – Halton Region RPN
Ellen Bekoe, RPN and SEIU Healthcare region 5 executive board member

WHAT:
Registered practical nurses talk about unsafe working conditions that impact patient care and release a poll of more than 1000 Ontario front-line RPNs that sheds light on Ontario’s nursing crisis.  

WHERE:
St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton (in front of the Charlton West campus, main entrance)

WHEN:
Friday, May 5 – 11 a.m.  

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For information contact: 

Stella Yeadon, CUPE Communications, 416-559-9300, syeadon@cupe.ca 
Corey Johnson, SEIU Healthcare, 416-529-8909, c.johnson@seiuhealthcare.ca