The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNUNL) is raising serious concerns about the treatment of internationally educated nurses (IENs) who, despite being licensed and qualified as Registered Nurses (RNs), are being offered positions as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) by Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS). While LPNs are vital to a robust public healthcare system, RNs deserve the opportunity to work in the roles they trained for.

“These nurses have invested in extensive education and training to become RNs. They have the skills and experience to fill RN vacancies, and anything less is an underutilization of their qualifications,” said Yvette Coffey, President of the RNUNL.

An email from NLHS recruitment has portrayed these offers as career advancement opportunities for IENs, a claim that fundamentally misrepresents the situation.

“Forcing IENs to work a different classification other than a RN position which they are qualified for is just wrong,” Coffey stated. “Not only that, this is robbing LPNs of opportunities for which they are uniquely qualified.”

The RNUNL has addressed this issue with Health Minister John Hogan, NLHS CEO Karen Stone, and NLHS Vice President Debbie Molloy. Rather than addressing the legitimate concerns raised, NLHS leadership deflected and failed to tackle the issue of RN misplacement and the ongoing inability to fill RN vacancies.

“This is about ensuring that RNs can work in RN roles and that our public healthcare system maximizes the full potential of all healthcare professionals,” added Coffey. “We need meaningful action from NLHS, not misrepresentations or deflections.”

RNUNL continues to advocate for a public healthcare system where every professional can work to their full scope, ensuring the highest quality of care for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

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About the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
Representing over 5,800 registered nurses and nurse practitioners, the RNUNL advocates for quality healthcare and the advancement of the nursing profession. Founded in 1974, the Union has been a vital force in healthcare advocacy and labor rights for five decades.

Media Contact:

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