Editor:
I am writing in regards to your June 8 article “Prince Rupert hospital looking ahead to hiring more nurses locally”.
I would agree that it is difficult for Northern Health to entice new graduates to move to Prince Rupert for work, but I don’t think weather is the issue. Currently new nursing graduates are being offered only casual work. As casuals, they are called in when a regular employee is off. Work is offered inconsistently, often on very short notice.
This situation presents many challenges for new grads, who need steady, reliable work to consolidate their newly-learned knowledge and skills. As well, casual work fails to provide consistent pay, making it difficult for students with loans to repay.
Perhaps the creation of more regular positions would attract local nurses, and also those from outside the region, allow new graduates steady work, alleviate workload, and make it economically viable for nurses to stay, work, and live in the community.
Sharon Sponton
Chair, North West Region, BC Nurses’ Union