The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador congratulates John Hogan on becoming the leader of the provincial Liberal Party and Premier-designate of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Premier-designate Hogan is assuming leadership at a critical moment. There’s no time to lose. Our public healthcare system is under serious strain, and we are just over 12 months away from the end of our current collective agreement. If he remains Premier following the upcoming provincial election — which must be called by mid-October — he will be entering into negotiations with the Registered Nurses’ Union and our more than 5,800 members.

The challenges facing registered nurses and nurse practitioners are urgent and have been building for years. We need action on a Nurse Practitioner funding model, safe hours of work, safe staffing levels and nurse-patient ratios, a province-wide travel locum program for our nurses, an independent health sector safety council, and the completion of the NP Job Evaluation System project. These are real solutions that will make a big difference for nurses, patients, and the entire public healthcare system. They will also help with nurse retention, bringing much-needed stability and resilience.

We’ve appreciated the collaborative approach this government has taken to date, and we expect that to continue under Premier-designate Hogan’s leadership. Our door is open, and we’re ready to work together.

Now is the time for leadership that listens, engages, and delivers results.

Yvette Coffey, RN
President, Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador