Nurses Recognized as Leaders in Health Care During National Nursing Week

Nurses and their valuable contributions and leadership role in delivering quality care to patients of the province’s health care system are being celebrated during National Nursing Week, which begins today (Monday, May 6).

“As a government, we are pleased to support the province’s nurses and encourage all residents to take time this week to acknowledge their important work,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “In recognition of the vital role they play, our government continues to pursue recruitment and retention initiatives, and our efforts are paying off as we now have more nurses working in Newfoundland and Labrador than ever before.”

Nurses represent close to half of the health care workforce with almost 6,400 licensed registered nurses and approximately 2,500 licensed practical nurses throughout the province. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Newfoundland and Labrador has 51 per cent more registered nurses per population than the Canadian average. Through Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future, the Provincial Government will invest over $2 million to continue to provide various nursing incentives, such as signing bonuses, grants and scholarships.

“Whether interacting directly with patients, advocating for policies that keep people healthy, or working to advance education, nurses are leaders in health care,” said Minister Sullivan. “We appreciate the work performed by these dedicated and highly trained professionals and support efforts to enhance the quality of their workplaces, which helps ensure optimal health outcomes for patients.”

The theme of this year’s National Nursing Week, which takes place from May 6 to 12, is Nursing: A Leading Force for Change and focuses on the role of nurses leading change in the delivery of quality health care.

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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca 

2013 05 06             11:15 a.m.