notice they make no explanation of why the hospitals might not be using asistants for more advanced functions. another missed opportunity to explore the deeper issues of health care. the readers are left to make their own interpretation, and the issues (all sides) are not even mentioned. oh, except the $$. that always gets mentioned. grr.
quebec nursing assistants say they can make a difference in health care
montreal-- hospitals in quebec looking for new ways to overcome a crippling shortage of nurses, says they're not willing to change the responsibilities of nursing assistants, in order to relieve the stress on the system.
the quebec order of nursing assistants says it could help relieve overworked, fatigued nurses. but many hospitals refuse to use them, in spite of having no other solutions to fix the chronic problem.
at the emergency room at montreal's sacrè-coeur hospital, patients can wait hours, or even days for help.
johanne roy, head of the nursing department, says a chronic shortage of nurses means fewer patients can be helped. waiting lists are long. and, she says the situation is getting worse.
"we're missing around 300 nurses, so we're very short. so for them it's very hard to continue. it's a lot of pressure and it's an increased workload."
many nurses are lured away to ontario or the u.s. for better money. some american hospitals offer signing bonuses, paid rent on apartments and the promise of less workplace stress.
nadia colella, a nursing assistant - or what some provinces call a licensed nursing practitioner - says hospitals are missing a solution sitting right under their noses. "sixty per cent of 16,000 nursing assistants are working part time. it doesn't make sense," she said.
colella says nursing assistants are ready to take over tasks such as giving medication and changing bandages. that would free up nurses to handle greater patient loads.
but hospitals are reluctant. one administrator at sacrè-coeur hospital says she's willing to part with tradition and give nursing assistants a try. otherwise, she says, the hospital may be forced to close more beds and turn patients away
