FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2024
Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador Challenges
Government’s Nurse Recruitment Claims: Calls for Transparency and
Accurate Reporting
Strait of Belle Isle — The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) is
questioning the recent announcement by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
claiming that 660 nurses have been recruited since April 2023. This assertion comes
without evidence of these new hires in the workplace, raising serious concerns about the
accuracy of the government’s statements.
“The government claims to have recruited 660 nurses, but we have not seen this reflected
in our workplaces,” said Yvette Coffey, President of RNU. “The last vacancy report we
received from the government, which dates back to last fall, indicated over 700 vacancies.
If the government’s numbers are accurate, then most of these positions should be filled.
Yet, there are still numerous postings and vacancies throughout the province.”
The RNU also notes that its membership records have not increased, suggesting that these
nurses—if they are indeed here and working—are not employed within the public
healthcare system. The union is calling on the government to provide an updated vacancy
report and show proof of these supposed new hires.
“We are asking the government to release the numbers and tell the public where these new
nurses are employed. Where is the proof of the filled vacancies?” Coffey continued. “It’s
time for transparency. The government must stop reporting job offers and positions as filled
before nurses are actually on the floor, delivering care. Until a nurse is actively working, the
job remains vacant.”
Calls to Action
President Yvette Coffey is calling on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to:
1. Release an updated vacancy report to provide a clear and accurate picture of the
staffing situation in our healthcare system.
2. Provide transparent evidence of the recruitment numbers, specifying where these
new nurses are currently employed.
Yvette Coffey, currently in the Straits as part of her President’s Tour, has heard firsthand
from RNs and NPs about the ongoing staffing challenges.
“Our healthcare professionals are overworked, and our public healthcare system remains
critically understaffed. We need honest, transparent communication from our government,
not political gamesmanship with numbers,” said Coffey.
The RNU urges the government to provide the public with a true account of the state of
nurse employment in Newfoundland and Labrador’s public healthcare system.
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About Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador represents more than 5,800
registered nurses and nurse practitioners working in acute care, long-term care,
community, education, and research.
Media Contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Phone: (709) 691-6890
Email: jhamel@rnunl.ca