MEDIA ADVISORY: How many registered practical nurses (RPNs) are considering quitting? Media conference outside Niagara Health Friday 1 p.m.

Event Information

Begins: 5 May 2023
Location: St. Catharines, ON

ST. CATHARINES, ON –/COMMUNITYWIRE/– A poll of more than 1000 Ontario registered practical nurses (RPNs) found that over 60% are considering leaving. At a media conference in front of Niagara Health on 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 of RPNs 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  
Briar Moore, RPN Chief Steward SEIU Healthcare for all Niagara Health sites

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:
Outside Niagara Health – 1200 Fourth Ave. (corner at First Street Louth)

WHEN:
Friday, May 5 – 1:00 p.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