A recent study reveals that Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest attrition rate among young nurses leaving the profession, surpassing the national average. According to findings from the Montreal Economic Institute, nearly 98 out of 100 new nurses under 35 in Newfoundland and Labrador exited the field in 2023, compared to a national average where for every 40 nurses leaving their positions, 100 new ones entered.
Yvette Coffey, the president of the Registered Nurses’ Union of Newfoundland and Labrador, raised concerns about the accuracy of the statistics but acknowledged the pressing issue of nurse retention in the province. She emphasized the challenges faced by newly graduated nurses, who often only find part-time positions, leading them to seek opportunities outside the province due to inadequate job prospects.
The report’s data includes nurses from various sectors, such as private practices and contract agencies, which may skew the numbers slightly. Nevertheless, Coffey reiterated the significant retention problem in Newfoundland and Labrador, citing issues like workplace violence, mandatory overtime, and denied leave as contributing factors.
Samantha Dagres, the communications manager at the Montreal Economic Institute, explained that the province’s high turnover rate, particularly among young nurses, can be attributed in part to the influx of temporary travel nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of these temporary nurses renewing their licenses in 2023 could explain the elevated departure rate in the report.
Dagres highlighted nationwide challenges in the healthcare system, including excessive overtime, workplace violence, and stressful working conditions. She emphasized the urgent need for improved nurse-to-patient ratios, safe hours legislation, and measures to address workplace violence and equal pay for nurses.
Looking ahead, Coffey called for the incoming government to address critical issues like nurse practitioner classification, safe working hours legislation, nurse-to-patient ratios, and establishing a health sector safety council. She stressed the importance of fair compensation and expanded opportunities for travel nurses across the province.
Dagres warned that without effective strategies to retain nurses, efforts to increase nursing education seats or recruit internationally trained nurses may not be sufficient. She recommended that the government explore innovative solutions from other provinces, such as implementing flexible shift schedules to alleviate the strain on healthcare workers.
