opinion
May 6, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada
Today, as we kick off National Nursing Week, we recognize and celebrate all nurses who dedicate their professional lives to providing quality care to us and our loved ones. This year’s theme is “Changing Lives. Shaping tomorrow. “, emphasizes that when you help save and change lives every day, you are also shaping the future of our healthcare system.
As the largest group of regulated healthcare professionals in Canada with more than 450,000 members, they are vital to Canada’s healthcare system. Their work in our hospitals and care homes, as well as in communities, primary care and public health, is vital to supporting and maintaining our health.
We recognize that many caregivers continue to experience unprecedented levels of stress and burnout, as well as long hours and staffing shortages. This situation forces some nurses to quit their jobs and, in some cases, leave the profession altogether.
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Canada’s healthcare system by providing better support and resources for caregivers. We thank Dr. Leigh Chapman for her commitment as Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer, working with key nursing partners to help solve the issues facing nurses.
The Government of Canada recently released the Nursing Retention Toolkit: Improving the Working Lives of Nurses in Canada. Ms. Chapman worked directly with the nursing community to develop this toolkit, drawing on evidence-based practices, the lived experiences of nurses at the point of care, and the perspectives of nurses at all stages of their careers, including nursing students. The toolkit provides employers and health authorities the opportunity to collaborate in developing standardized programs for all health care organizations and systems in Canada. Created by and for nurses, the toolkit has been widely used throughout the healthcare system, including among nurses, nurses’ employers, academic partners, and health authorities across the country.
We are also supporting nurses through various health workforce initiatives, such as the launch of Health Workforce Canada, a new independent organization that will work closely with the Canadian Institute for Health Information and all stakeholders in the health care system to improve the collection and sharing of health data Health workforce data, providing better health workforce planning tools to employers, agencies and governments across the country. The Government of Canada also funded the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing for an initiative to support a new nursing residency program, recognizing the need to better support new graduate nurses transitioning into the practice environment.
This week is also Mental Health Week. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize that you do incredibly difficult work, often in complex and stressful environments. Nurses are often synonymous with humanity, composure and competence, but their job can cause emotional difficulties. Remember this and be kind to yourself. We encourage everyone to learn about the mental health services available to them, and we remain committed to improving access to mental health services across the country for everyone who needs them need, including nurses.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, we recognize and thank all nurses across the country for the immense contribution they make in caring for others and protecting the health of our communities across the country.
The Honorable Mark Holland, PC MP
The Honorable Ya’ara Saks, PC, MP
contacts
Christopher Aoun
Press spokesman
Office of the Honorable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
613-291-4176
Yuval Daniel
Press spokesman
Office of the Honorable Ya’ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Deputy Minister of Health
819-360-6927
Media relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca
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