Input wanted from nurses to help shape PEI’s first Provincial Nursing Strategy
Nurses across the province are being asked to help shape the future of nursing by sharing their experiences and ideas as work begins on a new Provincial Nursing Strategy.
The province is developing a five-year strategy to support and strengthen the nursing workforce in PEI. Nurses are the largest group of direct health care providers in PEI and play a vital role in delivering care in hospitals, community settings, long-term care, public health, education and research.
“Listening to nurses is essential to building a strong and sustainable health care system. Their voices will guide this work and help ensure the strategy reflects the realities nurses face every day and the solutions they know will make a difference.”
—Cory Deagle, Minister of Health and Wellness
As part of the engagement process, focus groups are being held with a wide range of nursing professionals and partners, representing diverse roles and practice settings.
Also, to broaden input, all nurses in Prince Edward Island, including licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nursing students and educators, are invited to participate in a survey online at Provincial Nursing Strategy Survey from now until July 10.
The strategy will focus on key priorities that support a strong, responsive and modern nursing workforce, including:
- workforce planning and sustainability
- education and professional development
- optimization of scope of practice
- leadership and governance
- digital health, research and innovation
“Our goal is to build a nursing workforce that is supported, empowered and equipped to meet the needs of Islanders now and into the future,” said provincial chief of nursing, professional practice, & system integration Marion Dowling. “We encourage every nurse in PEI to take part and help shape this important work.”
A steering committee has been formed to help support the development of the Provincial Nursing Strategy. It includes representation from across nursing sectors such as clinical care, management, education, policy, and research.
Members are from the Department of Health and Wellness, Health PEI, the College of Nursing and Midwifery, UPEI Faculty of Nursing, Holland College Health Studies Program, the Union of Public Sector Employees, and the PEI Nurses’ Union. Together, these partners will guide a unified provincial approach to nursing workforce sustainability and development.
Media contact:
Autumn Tremere
Department of Health and Wellness
agtremere@gov.pe.ca