Canadian staffing ratios

[mrh1953]

I recall once seeing a reference to staffing ratios, limits on hours, etc. for Canadian nurses. It had to do with the health care system, I seem to recall, and may have been nationwide.

What sort of 'controls' are there on how Canadian nurses are treated with regard to forced overtime, workload limits, and such?

Here in the States the guidelines and realities seem to vary widely, and I am thinking in particular of California's setback in staffing ratios.

Thanks to anyone who wishes to explain conditions in Canada (or a particular province) at present.

MRH

[betsy1963]

I recall once seeing a reference to staffing ratios, limits on hours, etc. for Canadian nurses. It had to do with the health care system, I seem to recall, and may have been nationwide.

What sort of 'controls' are there on how Canadian nurses are treated with regard to forced overtime, workload limits, and such?

Here in the States the guidelines and realities seem to vary widely, and I am thinking in particular of California's setback in staffing ratios.

Thanks to anyone who wishes to explain conditions in Canada (or a particular province) at present.

MRH

The basic guidelines, for Ontario for example, would be covered under the labour law for the province. You could look at this by doing at search at www.gov.on.ca. Most hospitals and nursing homes have unionized staff and they build on the laws-that is they are better than. I don't know of any place that has forced overtime over than to be on call for such places as the OR. Of course, management tries to make you feel guilty when they call and you say no. Call display is a wonderful thing. I am not familiar with there being workload limits. Many places are funded by the government so there is a budget.

[fergus51]

The unions usually have contracts governing such matters. http://www.bcnu.org is the union for BC and has links to other unions across the country. I don't believe any province allows mandatory ot except in situations that are declared disasters.

[Fiona59]

When I worked in Alberta it was 4-5 surgical patients in active treatment. Overtime wasn't mandatory but they would use mega guilt and multiple calls, hence the high use of call display in nurses households.. In LTC, the RN is the charge nurse with no patient load. But she would be responsible for two units in the evening (approx. 90 patients. The LPN's would have anywhere between 5-8 for care plus meds.).

Hope this was some use.