New figures highlight the need for safe nurse staffing levels
In its recently held biennial convention, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) released a report showing that the total cost of overtime and absenteeism among nurses rose to nearly $2 billion in 2016.
The report, prepared by Jacobson Consulting, found that paid and unpaid overtime for public-sector healthcare RNs and nurse supervisors totalled 20.1 million hours in 2016 — equivalent to 11,100 full-time nursing positions.
“The research found that in 2016, on average, 24,600 of Canada’s 282,300 public sector health care RNs and nurse supervisors – or 8.7% – were absent each week due to illness or disability. In 2014, the rate was 7.9%,” said CFNU President Linda Silas.
For full-time public-sector healthcare nurses, the absentee rate in 2016 was 9% — substantially higher than the 5.7% for all other occupations on average, according to Silas.
“Public healthcare employers paid $989 million in 2016 in illness- or disability-related absenteeism costs; the total cost of unpaid and paid nursing overtime was an additional $968 million,” Silas said. She also warned that excessive overtime is compromising the safe, quality care of patients in Canada.
To reduce reliance on paid and unpaid overtime for nurses, as well as minimize absenteeism, Silas called for an increased focus on safe staffing levels. “At a time when we are all striving for an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable health care system, we know that ensuring safe nurse staffing levels would go a long way towards achieving that goal.”
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The report, prepared by Jacobson Consulting, found that paid and unpaid overtime for public-sector healthcare RNs and nurse supervisors totalled 20.1 million hours in 2016 — equivalent to 11,100 full-time nursing positions.
“The research found that in 2016, on average, 24,600 of Canada’s 282,300 public sector health care RNs and nurse supervisors – or 8.7% – were absent each week due to illness or disability. In 2014, the rate was 7.9%,” said CFNU President Linda Silas.
For full-time public-sector healthcare nurses, the absentee rate in 2016 was 9% — substantially higher than the 5.7% for all other occupations on average, according to Silas.
“Public healthcare employers paid $989 million in 2016 in illness- or disability-related absenteeism costs; the total cost of unpaid and paid nursing overtime was an additional $968 million,” Silas said. She also warned that excessive overtime is compromising the safe, quality care of patients in Canada.
To reduce reliance on paid and unpaid overtime for nurses, as well as minimize absenteeism, Silas called for an increased focus on safe staffing levels. “At a time when we are all striving for an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable health care system, we know that ensuring safe nurse staffing levels would go a long way towards achieving that goal.”
Related stories:
At least 197 management positions slashed from Manitoba healthcare system
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