Halfway through the President’s Tour, the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) has heard directly from hundreds of RNs and NPs across the province. Their stories paint a sobering picture of frustration and strain, but also a clear resolve to fight for their profession and safeguard public healthcare.

From unsafe staffing and excessive workloads to denied leave and forced overtime, nurses are standing up and demanding change. They are speaking with one voice: government must step up and deliver a plan and a vision for nursing in this province’s public healthcare system.

“Every stop on this tour, nurses are saying the same thing. Enough is enough. They are working short, mandated to cover gaps, and watching government pour hundreds of millions into private agencies while ignoring their own,” said Yvette Coffey, President of RNU. “Our members are determined, and they expect answers, not excuses.”

Members raised urgent concerns around:

Unsafe staffing and crushing workloads in hospitals, long-term care, and community health.
Reliance on private agency nurses, costing over $330 million, while local RNs and NPs are overlooked.
Contract enforcement issues including denied annual leave, misuse of overtime, and mandation.
Retention and recruitment failures, from leaving out long-serving nurses in incentives to under-supporting new grads and internationally educated nurses.
With an election looming, the message is clear. Whoever forms government must be ready to act.

“Our members are determined, and they expect answers, not excuses. Government must present a real plan for recruitment, retention, and safe staffing. One that invests in local nurses and ensures the future of public healthcare in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Coffey.

She added, “The time for patchwork fixes is over. Nurses expect whoever forms government after election night to step up, listen, and deliver the change our healthcare system desperately needs.”

The President’s Tour continues this week with stops in Glovertown and New-Wes-Valley before returning to St. John’s.

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About the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador

The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) represents over 5,800 registered nurses and nurse practitioners working in acute care, long-term care, community, education, and research. The Union advocates for its members and the public healthcare system to improve access, quality, and sustainability of care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information, please contact:

Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
Phone: (709) 691-6890
Email: jhamel@rnunl.ca