Issue Two 2009 The Magazine for Manitoba Nurses by the Manitoba Nurses’ Union lowering the bar Canadian Blood Services’ (CBS) decision to replace nurses with unlicensed workers poses a serious threat to the safety of the public as well as the donation system in Canada. Research to Action – Federal Funding Grant Announced Compassion Fatigue – Learn not to Burn(out)! Human Rights – Discrimination and Harassment Front Lines is published by the Manitoba Nurses’ Union (MNU). Founded in 1975, the MNU continues to be an active member- driven organization dedicated to Issue Two 2009 The Magazine for Manitoba Nurses by the Manitoba Nurses’ Union meeting the needs of its members. Approximately 11,000 nurses province-wide belong to the MNU. in this issue... That’s 97% of unionized nurses in Manitoba. 3 President’s Message 4 Research to Action “To Care for Nurses Federal grant supports CFNU initiative is to Care for Patients” 4 to improve recruitment and retention Joyce Gleason 6 Cover Feature: Lowering the Bar Contributors MNU President and local Canadian Blood Shauna Briscoe 6 Services (CBS) RN oppose decision to Marise Frankel replace nurses with unlicensed workers Maryanne Peters 8 Where hasn’t Sandi been? Bob Romphf As the Annual General Meeting approaches, MNU President Sandi Mowat has been out and about, touring the province... Contact Us: 8 Leg 11 – South Eastman Region MNU Communications Department 9 Leg 12 – victoria General Hospital 301 - 275 Broadway 10 Leg 13 – Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4M6 8-14 12 Leg 14 – Assiniboine Region (Tel.) 204.942.1320 14 Leg 15 – Parkland Region (Fax) 204.942.0958 Compassion Fatigue / Burnout Website: www.nursesunion.mb.ca 15 Email: [email protected] What it is; early signs to recognize it; and some simple proactive tips to prevent it MNU is affiliated with the Canadian Federation of Nurses’ Unions and the Canadian Labour Congress. 16 Pension & Benefits Corner Group Health Plan, Pension, and MNU is a member of the Canadian disability and Rehabilitation Plan Association of Labour Media. MNU adheres to all Privacy Legislation 17 Human Rights Complaints requirements. determining whether or not you have a Publication Agreement #40021526 Human Rights violation case... simplified Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses To: Manitoba Nurses‘ Union 15 18 Across Canada 301-275 Broadway information and issues from across Winnipeg, MB R3C 4M6 Email: [email protected] the country 20 Your MNU Board of Directors 17 and Committee Executive Cover: Canadian Blood Services RN, Karen Zurba, voicing concerns about the recent CBS decision Message from the President Dauphin Votes To Lift Greylisting on April 7th nurses at dauphin Regional Health Centre voted to lift the Greylisting which had been in effect since September of 2007. The vote was close which indicates that there are still unresolved issues. The Worksite’s Nursing Advisory Committee recommended that the hiring ban be lifted after determining that enough progress had been made to justify the move. The committee had worked very hard the past year and a half, first taking part in a Federal mediation process which had been recommended by the provincial government, and putting many hours in meetings both with members and employers to resolve issues. Sandi Mowat, MNU President The closeness of the vote shows that obviously there is much work to be done in terms of building respect and trust between the parties. The NAC will continue to be challenged to ensure that commitments are kept. Congratulations to the Worksite leadership, especially President deb derhak and the NAC, who stood up to pressure from the employer and the community to ensure that nurses’ rights were respected. The Greylisting must be lifted by the MNU Board of directors. The issue will be dealt with at our pre-AGM meeting. Making H&S Committees Work Meetings are continuing with government representatives to ensure the effectiveness of Local/ Worksite Health and Safety Committees. By law, minutes from these committees must be sent to the Workplace Safety and Health division within ten days where they are reviewed by government inspectors. it is essential that issues are dealt with at this level to ensure that they are documented. if you have safety and health concerns please make sure that you take them to your local committee through your local MNU rep on the committee. This ensures that your concerns are documented. if you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the employer please contact Glenda doerkson at provincial office. it is essential that we do all we can to make these committees work. i will continue to meet with the Minister of Labour on this issue. The Bargaining ’09 Membership Survey Bargaining Preparations recently mailed out to all our members The PCBC is continuing to meet to formulate proposals. Surveys have been sent out and an independent telephone poll is being developed. We are doing everything we can to ensure that every nurse covered by the Central Agreement has a voice at the bargaining table. MNU Front Lines Magazine issue Two 2009 3 Mowat, Silas join Federal Minister in Research to Action Announcement MNU President, Sandi Mowat, addresses the media after the announcement MNU President, Sandi Mowat and CFNU President, Linda Silas participated in a media conference on March 6th to The project aims to help nurses to develop skills and expertise and to help employers increase the capacity for collaborative project announce a Federal grant to support development and research. it will provide training and professional a new initiative being undertaken by development opportunities for 898 nurses, while 1,085 nurses will be involved in retention and recruitment initiatives. the CFNU to improve the recruitment “These projects are examples of nurses’ organizations, employers and retention of nurses across Canada. and all levels of government working together to resolve issues in the public health system,” said Linda Silas. “The tremendous Federal Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq commitment demonstrated by all parties will be needed as we led the speakers by announcing the work towards addressing the significant challenges posed by nursing shortages.” $4 million in funding being provided by Health Canada through the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy. Manitoba Manitoba is one of the nine areas chosen for a pilot project. The Manitoba Project – “Enhanced Orientation for Nurses new to Long-Term Care” – provides enhanced orientation for new nurses working at one of three designated LTC facilities. These are: Tache, Holy Family and the Misericordia Long-Term Care Facilities. The three Manitoba partners – MNU, WRHA and Manitoba Health and Healthy Living – hope to work collaboratively to Left to right: Federal Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq announcing the $4 million in funding; address specific and urgent workforce retention and retirement CFNU President, Linda Silas, addresses the Conference; issues in long-term care. Sandi Mowat is asked for her reaction by a member the media 4 MNU Front Lines Magazine issue Two 2009 Project overview The specific objectives of the pilot project are: 1. To provide better orientation to nurses new to Long-Term Care Demands long-term care that will lead to greater retention. The demands on long-term care are growing. Statistics Canada 2. To enhance the profile of long-term care as a projects the percentage of Manitobans over 65 will be 22% of desired workplace. the population by 2031! The needs of individuals entering long- term care facilities are becoming more complex. Yet it is often 3. To develop greater capacity for nursing leadership, more difficult to recruit and retain nurses in the long-term care training and support within a long-term care facility. sector. in the fall of 2007 the Government of Manitoba introduced an initiative designed to increase staffing levels and promote 4. To develop an interprofessional component to employment and develop initiatives to attract nurses to work the long-term care orientation program. in personal care homes. This proposal is intended to build on 5. To enhance the geriatric knowledge and skills of these initiatives. health care providers new to long-term care. This pilot project is proposed for a long-term care facility in order to enhance the profile of long-term care as a desired workplace choice by providing the time for nurses to develop the clinical Enhanced Orientation: skills necessary to be successful in geriatric care. The intent of the project is to have a positive impact on measured indicators of job The project at the three Long-Term Care facilities will provide satisfaction within the project site and develop greater capacity for an enhanced orientation period for any new nurse working in nursing leadership. in the proposed sites. These nurses could be new graduates entering the nursing workforce from an education program or Personal care homes have been thought of more as a supportive nurses who have worked in other areas and are coming to place for the elderly to live as they grow older. increasingly, these the long-term care setting for the first time. The pilot will have facilities have been confronted with residents who are sicker and two components. initially, fifteen nurses new to long-term require more care. These residents often have multiple medical care (protégés) will be matched with fifteen experienced nurses issues, possible psychological challenges and in many cases (mentors) to provide support and guidance to the new nurses degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. These changes in for 6-8 months. during this time period, a series of workshops the aging population and increased client expectations will based on clinically relevant topics on the care of older adults will require a more experienced health workforce. The proposed pilot be provided. The workshops, along with the support from their will provide nurses new to long-term care with a better under- mentor, will equip these nurses to be successful in geriatric standing of the needs of the long-term resident population.