'You did leave out casual nurses': Casual nurse sends email to N.S. premier about $10,000 bonuses
Casual nurses say they were left out of Nova Scotia’s announcement to reward bonuses and retention incentives to nurses and other health-care workers.
Marleen Spencer, a casual nurse herself, said she applauds the decision to give bonuses but she also has concerns.
The long-time registered nurse who came out of retirement to work two to three days a week said she’s a little nervous paramedics aren’t getting the same bonus nurses are.
“I worry it’s going to create a divide between health-care staff,” she said.
In an email to the premier, she also pointed out how casual nurses weren’t included.
“I did say in my letter to him that you did leave out casual nurses,” she said. “Most nurses I know that are casual aren’t interested in signing on for an additional two years but they would continue to work what they currently work and some of them work almost full-time hours.”
On Monday, the Nova Scotia government announced that nurses are getting a $10,000 bonus and are being offered an additional $10,000 retention bonus if they sign on to work for two years.
A long list of other health-care workers, such as paramedics, housekeeping staff and respiratory therapists, are being offered $5,000 retention bonuses to sign on and work for two years.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson says casual nurses will not be getting a bonus.
“It’s based on a full-time equivalent, full-time employee equivalent. But if a casual staff nurse does return to a full-time or part-time position, there would be some remuneration,” Thompson said.
Spencer said on any given day in the endoscopy department at Halifax's QEII where she works, there are three to five casual nurses working.
“The QEII will not function without casual nurses,” she said.
While Spencer doesn’t expect anyone to leave their roles, she does think casual nurses will be angered and disappointed they were excluded.
“I can’t say I’m surprised because we tend to get forgotten sometimes. Even though we really and truly are essential,” she said.
A $10,000 incentive is being offered to nurses who’ve left the public health system to return if they sign on to stay for two years.
That would include Czarina Dykeman, who left Nova Scotia recently to become a travel nurse.
She’s currently doing her first contract in Prince Rupert, B.C.
“They offer a higher salary,” Dykeman said. “That’s the main reason why people are doing travel nursing or health-care workers.”
Tired of working next to travel nurses in Nova Scotia who were earning more than she was, she left the province and became a travel nurse herself. Her husband still lives in Nova Scotia but she doesn’t believe the latest incentive is enough to draw her back home.
“You have to work there for two years,” she said. “$10,000. You’ll get that in travel nursing in just two to three months.”
Janet Hazelton, the president of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, said the feedback her office has received about the provincial announcement has generally been positive.
But Hazelton notes casual nurses are not happy.
“They feel they have been there working, holding the system together with the other nurses and they’re disappointed they’re not included,” Hazelton said.
On Monday, the province’s health minister said ideally, 1,500 to 2,000 nurses would return to Nova Scotia's public health system.
As for what may draw retired nurses back into the fold, Hazelton thinks it’s important to look at barriers.
“Maybe it’s paying for their licence. Guaranteeing they don’t have to work night shifts,” she said.
Any potential wage increases will happen in negotiations that are taking place right now.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.