According to the report Regulated Nurses: Canadian Trends 2007 - 2011, released earlier this week by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), licensed practical nurses in Saskatchewan are more likely to work in acute care than their Canadian counterparts. The report found that 60.9 per cent of LPNs work in Saskatchewan hospitals compared to 42.9 per cent of LPNs across Canada.
One in five nurses in Saskatchewan are LPNs and 98.6 per cent work in direct patient care, compared to 90 per cent of RNs in the province.
"Licensed Practical Nurses play a critical role in the delivery of health care," said CUPE Health Care Council president Gordon Campbell.
CUPE presented their brief Full Utilization of Licensed Practical Nurses: A Practical Solution to the Nursing Shortage to four health regions last year. The brief calls for consistent advancement of LPNs. CUPE is also urging health care employers to implement mentoring programs for new LPNs in the workplace, by allowing them to job shadow full-scope LPNs.
"By fully engaging LPNs, Saskatchewan can address the nursing shortage and ensure quality patient care."
