Across Newfoundland and Labrador, nurses are stretched to their breaking point. What used to be a demanding job has become a near-impossible one \u2014 not because nurses aren\u2019t willing to give everything they have, but because there simply aren\u2019t enough of them to go around.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest challenge in nursing is there’s not enough bodies, there’s not enough nurses, there’s not enough support staff.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u2014 Kathy Organ, NP<\/p>\n For many nurses on the floor the short staffing in the system results in mandatory overtime.<\/p>\n Even in departments with relatively lower vacancy rates, the strain is evident. Nurses are managing more patients with fewer hands, and the growing complexity of care adds to an already unmanageable load.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking in a department that doesn\u2019t have as big a vacancy rate as other departments, we still run into issues with staffing. So, it’s always that balance of ensuring our patients are being cared for with less staff.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u2014 Jennifer Hiscock, RN<\/p>\n