will PSWs ever be regulated?

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Hello, just spending a great Saturday morning reading all the threads. Such a fantastic site!

Recently during an inservice at work the topic of regulation came up regarding PSWs and HCAs. I know they are not regulated here in Ontario whatsoever, and I am wondering why the College of Nurses hasn't stepped up to the plate on this as of yet. My fellow comrades at work all agreed that it would be the best thing to happen if PSWs had a governing body to be accountable to.

Just sharing a thought is all. OH one other thing, a few years ago while I was having a chest xray done at a local clinic, my xray technician had RPN behind her name! SO COOL!!!

OK one last thing, I promise, ....Thank the Good LORD I'm a nurse here in Canada, things are darn right unpleasant south of the border with the whole LPN / RN / CNA war. It's so nice to work in a job where we all get along and respect the different roles we each bring to the table. Ultimately it is the resident or the patient that needs all of us!:D

No problems whatsoever with PSWs where I work, in fact they are superb. It was just a conversation the group was having during an inservice. The group included PSWs, RPNs, and RNs. I guess my thinking is now that the PSW program is a full college year then maybe there will be standards of care and scope of practise initiated for them. Thank you to everyone who took time to comment.

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Here in AB our aides used to be all on the job trained. Then the government decided that they all needed to have "their certificate" to be "new hires". Funding is/was made availabe to exisiting NA's to obtain the education and the hourly rate was increased for those having the certificate.

What we see are people who have no interest in becoming NA's taking the education because EI funded it and they had to take a training course. Often their work terrible. Minimal care, bad work ethic, poor attendance.

Usually if there is a problem we get the union involved.

Many of the older NAs are brilliant at their job and want to do it. Many of the new hires just don't want to be there and do the "dirty" work.

A good NA is worth their weight in gold and a joy to work with.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yes I have heard of that too Fiona.People taking the PSW certificate because it's paid for, not because they want to do it. Thankfully I haven't run into any yet.I do work with one PSW that was an out of work auto worker.He took the course for something to do.He's 6'2" and about 250 lbs. Turns out he loves the work and he is great with the patients.All the little old ladies are gaga over him.

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They really should be. When I was in the PSW program they said it is in the horizon, but nothing is concrete. We shall see.

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