Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe this is an issue that has been brought up in this House by myself and other people, as well. It's something that I've probably had some exchange of words with the Minister. That has to do with the fact that while the government has made some progress in providing resources to train new nurses, there has not been an equal amount of support for the experienced nurses who would provide the resources to the new graduates. The Minister mentioned that there are nine mentorship programs being provided all over the Territories, but he has also mentioned that we are graduating nurses at a lot higher level than that. I think common sense will tell us that you would need at least one mentoring nurse for every two or something, not nine for many dozens of new grads who are being produced, and I think we are going to be producing even more. A lot of criticism in the nursing profession has been that there have been just not enough compensation and incentives for the experienced nurses to stay in their job and for us to retain them, and also to encourage them to provide support to the new grads. So I want to know from the Minister if there is any way for us to expand that support to the experienced nurses. You have to pay the trainers to train the new grads until they become fully practiced, qualified and get all the skill sets necessary for them to spread out into the communities.
Sandy Lee on Revert To Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on March 23rd, 2004. See this statement in context.
Revert To Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Revert To Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 23rd, 2004
Page 218
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