CUPE calls on Sunrise Health Region to fully utilize LPNs

[Jun 11, 2008 10:21 AM]

Yorkton: CUPE says the Sunrise Health Region must develop a comprehensive plan to fully utilize licensed practical nurses.

Licensed practical nurses account for more than one of every four nurses (175 of 630) in the Sunrise Health Region, but many are not working to their full scope of expertise and training.

A 2006 survey by the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN), for example, found only 49% of the LPNs in this health region were working to full scope of practice. A similar survey in 2004, produced exactly the same findings in this health region.

"It's hard to believe that at a time when we have a nursing shortage, we still have so many practical nurses not being fully utilized. It's a terrible waste of nursing talent, education and skills," says Pearl Blommaert, President of CUPE 4980, which represents LPNs and other health providers in the region.

A new report prepared by CUPE, A practical solution to the nursing shortage, points out that practical nurses are trained to perform many of the same duties as registered nurses.

The report also points out that prior to 2000, a degree was not required to become an RN in Saskatchewan. As recent as 2006, for example, a two-year diploma was the highest education level for 65.8% of registered nurses in Saskatchewan. Practical nurses now also graduate with a two-year diploma.

CUPE, which represents about 1,300 practical nurses in five health regions, says the government passed legislation in 2000 to allow LPNs to work to their full-scope of practice.

"After nearly eight years, it's time the Sunrise Health Region implemented a plan to make this happen," Blommaert says.

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Copies of the CUPE report: A practical solution to the nursing shortage, and the CUPE television ad are available at: cupe.sk.ca

For more information please contact: Pearl Blommaert at 783-1396.

 

 

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