The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) is urging the provincial government to roll out the nursing travel locum program province-wide and ensure equitable pay for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) providing critical access to public healthcare in rural, remote, and underserved areas.
“Travel locums are a proven, sustainable solution to addressing gaps in public healthcare,” said Yvette Coffey, President of RNU. “Our nursing travel locum pilot program in Labrador has demonstrated its effectiveness over nearly three years, yet it remains limited in scope. It’s time to expand this program province-wide and recognize the invaluable role of NPs and RNs in providing expert care to communities in need.”
A survey conducted by the Department of Health and Community Services and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) in partnership with RNU found that 81% of NPs expressed interest in “the establishment of NP locum opportunities for existing NP staff to provide temporary coverage in rural and remote areas.” This overwhelming support highlights the willingness of NPs to meet the public healthcare needs of underserved communities.
The RNU has consistently advocated for the expansion of the nursing travel locum program to improve access to public healthcare. Such a program must include appropriate incentives to reflect the vital role of NPs and RNs in delivering expert primary healthcare to communities across the province.
“The Minister of Health has acknowledged the importance of promoting NPs as a sustainable solution for improving access to public healthcare. Yet, we have not seen action to empower them fully,” said Coffey. “It’s time to provide equitable pay for NPs participating in travel locums and to allow them to work to their full scope of practice, including leading clinics in rural and remote areas. This is something that Health Accord NL has also highlighted as necessary to improve public healthcare in our province.”
Furthermore, the RNU is calling on the government to collaborate with the Union and NPs to develop a funding model that enables NPs to establish advanced care practices and NP-led clinics. Such investments would align with recent guidance from the federal Minister of Health, who reaffirmed that provincial and territorial health plans cover primary care provided by NPs.
RNU’s Asks to Government:
- Roll out the nursing travel locum program province-wide.
- Provide equitable incentives for NPs participating in travel locums.
- Allow NPs to work to their full scope of practice, including leading clinics.
- Collaborate with RNU and NPs to develop a funding model that supports NP-led clinics and advanced care practices.
“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve access to expert, primary healthcare in their communities,” added Coffey. “Expanding the nursing travel locum program and supporting NPs to deliver this care is a vital step forward. We look forward to working with the government to make this a reality.”
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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