It's not a reflection on ALL Saskatchewan nurses (that should be noted right off the bat). It is however, a story about the irresponsible actions of two people. It's also a reflection on policies in this province and one instance where a union might not have acted in the best interest of the public.
Two Saskatoon nurses recently got their jobs back after being dismissed for inappropriate actions on the job.
On the night of Aug. 30, 2008, one nurse put a crying baby in a bouncy chair in a bathroom and closed the door and a second nurse later put the inconsolable baby in a stroller in a broom closet for "an extended period of time," say records cited in the ruling.
The Saskatoon Regional Health Authority became aware of the incident several days later when the grandmother of another patient on the pediatric unit reported it. The region launched an investigation and a month later both nurses (who said they did not want to call in the crying babies parents) were fired.
Anyone who has had to look after a baby that is crying inconsolably for an extended period of time will admit it can be frustrating but we're talking about a newborn in a hospital who is supposed to receiving professional care. If you can't handle the job then it's time you move on. Why didn't the nurses at the very least switch off looking after the infant? What if something had happened while it was locked alone in a closet?
Regardless of what could have been, the nurses' union jumped in. The union filed grievances on the behalf of the women and a board has since ruled the health region overreacted by firing the nurses. Today they are back at work none the worse for the wear.
While the incident has prompted the region to develop new policies to prevent future incidents like this, is it right these nurses should just carry on business as usual after putting a child in jeopardy? One can only imagine what goes on that the public does not become aware of.
This is a plain and simple case of neglect that could have caused a baby harm. It's unprofessional behaviour and it should not be tolerated - union input or not.
That's the bottom line.
