The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU) congratulates Tony Wakeham on being sworn in today as Newfoundland and Labrador’s 16th Premier.
During the provincial election, Premier Wakeham pledged to work in partnership with the Registered Nurses’ Union to rebuild public healthcare, ensure nurses are respected and valued, and make Newfoundland and Labrador a province where nurses want to stay and practice.
“Premier Wakeham ran a strong campaign grounded in listening to nurses and promising real, practical change,” said Yvette Coffey, RNU President. “He made clear commitments to complete and implement the recommendations of the core staffing review, ensure equal pay for equal work, pay nursing students for their clinical placements, and hire all new graduates into full-time, permanent positions. Our members are ready to get to work with his new government to deliver on these solutions.”
The Registered Nurses’ Union has long put forward solutions such as hiring every new graduate into full-time work, expanding the travel locum program, and ending the province’s reliance on private nursing agencies. These are achievable goals that will make a real difference for nurses, patients, and the healthcare system.
“We know the problems. Now is the time to implement the solutions nurses have been putting forward for years,” Coffey said. “For example, completing the Nurse Practitioner Job Evaluation System process would be an easy early win that shows this government can deliver results where others could not.”
RNU has already written to Premier Wakeham to request a meeting at his earliest convenience and looks forward to working collaboratively with him and the incoming Minister of Health and Community Services, Lela Evans, to move these priorities forward.
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About the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador represents over 5,800 registered nurses and nurse practitioners across the province, advocating for quality health care, safe working conditions, and respect for the nursing profession.
For more information, please contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador
Tel: (709) 691-6890
Email: jhamel@rnunl.ca