New report says Quebec nurses need better working conditions
Quebec must improve working conditions for nurses by adopting a series of standards across the province, according to a 104-page report released Thursday.
That was one of 31 recommendations made by commissioners Francine Ducharme, an honorary professor at the Université de Montreal's nursing faculty, and Robert Salois, a former Quebec government health and welfare commissioner, in their report into the profession.
"We believe that it is essential that health-care institutions demonstrate a real desire to put an end to organizational dysfunction and to create conditions that are favourable to the development and use of nurses' skills," the report stated.
Among the measures proposed is the stabilization of care teams by avoiding the use of placement agencies "as much as possible." It is suggested that there be a maximum number of hours of work that can be done per day and per week.
The composition of teams should also be better planned according to the needs of different types of clients. It was also suggested that a nurse-to-patient ratio be established to ensure that the right care is provided at the right time to the right person.
MANDATORY UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
Another key recommendation is to make the baccalaureate the only degree that gives access to a license to practice the profession in Quebec within five years.
"In order for nurses to fully take their place and occupy the role that is rightfully theirs, having a university education that would place them on an equal footing with their colleagues in other health professions, for which a university education is required, would certainly contribute to this, in addition to giving credibility to their expertise," said Commissioner Salois, in a press release.
The DEC-Baccalaureate pathway would be another avenue to get a licence, but it would still require university training. The commissioners are recommending transitional measures for students currently in college training and for the approximately 32,000 nurses (43 per cent of the profession) who hold a DEC.
Behind the recommendation to take a university education is the broader principle of recognition of nurses' competencies. The Act provides for 17 activities that are reserved for nurses.
"The exercise has clearly shown that nurses' skills and knowledge are not used to their full potential," said Ducharme.
"In practical terms, this means that nurses continue to perform procedural care that could be done by other members of the care team. This affects the meaning of their work," she said.
SHORTAGE QUESTIONED
The release of the report comes at a time when the Legault government is concerned about the lack of nurses in the public health network. The premier has said he is "working day and night" to find solutions. He has opened the door to increasing nurses' pay to attract those who have turned to the private sector.
Despite the shortage in hospitals, the number of practising nurses is on the rise, according to the commissioners' report. There are 74,467 in 2020-2021, up from 69,776 in 2015-2016. "Objectively, there is reason to believe that we are not short of nurses, but rather of nursing care," the report stated.
"If nurses actually did what they were authorized to do and did not do what others could do, the shortage could be resolved."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.