Ginny Wong is a nursing assistant in High River. According to her, her duties are the same as those of a registered nurse, but her status is that of a practicing nurse.
It’s frustrating
She says.We are nurses, we do the work of nurses and we are not recognized as such
.
Along with three other nursing assistants, she is calling for their jobs to be reclassified as their official status states that their role is to help registered nurses care for patients. According to the company, this is no longer the case.
The role was created during World War II to fill the shortage of nurses at the time. Her title at the time was a certified nursing assistant, but since then her education, job responsibilities, and title have changed a lot, but her classification hasn’t.
In addition, they are recognized as full nurses in other provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia, it said.
According to the province’s employment information site, Alis Alberta, practical nurses earn 35% less than registered nurses. They graduate after two years of study, while registered nurses must complete four.
From Alberta to Ontario
A nurse, whose name Radio-Canada would not reveal, worked as a nursing assistant at several health centers in Alberta for more than 10 years. She left the province for Ontario two months ago: I left because respect has waned over the years
.
One day I came home and told myself I can’t keep being mistreated to be called a “Certified Union Investor.”
She says.
Although she has no intention of returning to Alberta, she supports the motion to have her status reclassified as a nursing assistant.
Time to accept change
Tim Guest, executive director of the Canadian Nurses Association, believes that the provincial description for practical nurses is out of date and needs to be updated.
The reality is that it’s time to change
he said.
At the level of the healthcare system, nothing will change as a result of the regrouping of the job, but the morale of the nursing assistants in the province will improve. He remembers that there is a shortage of nurses in Canada and that those nurses can find employment elsewhere
.
Kathy Howe, executive director of the Alberta Nurses Association, agrees with Tim Guest. Nurse assistant is no longer an appropriate description
She says.
They are no longer among registered nurses, but practice alongside them, caring directly for patients
completes Kathie Howe
In a written statement, Minister for Labour, Economy and Northern Development Brian Jean writes that this is a matter for the province’s Industrial Relations Committee determine whether the scope of practice of licensed practical nurses meets standards of care
performed by qualified nurses.
With information from Karina Zapata
Award-winning entrepreneur. Baconaholic. Food advocate. Wannabe beer maven. Twitter ninja.
