Multicultural group promoted at long term care forum

BCNU has stepped up its efforts in support of long term care nurses with a well-attended forum in Vancouver that may become an annual event.

More than 130 RNs from 36 Lower Mainland long term care facilities met with BCNU president Debra McPherson and their regional chairs to discuss a wide range of contentious work issues, including skill mix problems, rising acuity rates and increasing privatization and decertification since the BC Liberals implemented Bill 29 in 2002.

The nurses described in detail the problems they face every shift while trying to deliver quality care to residents at their understaffed facilities. Major issues include workload, increasing acuity of residents and difficulty in meeting practice standards.

McPherson and BCNU executive treasurer Mabel Tung also spoke about BCNU's growing multicultural network and encouraged members to get involved with the network and to attend and participate at their BCNU regional meetings.

The message at the event was the need to speak out about the concerns of long term care nurses and to share their experiences with other nurses wherever and whenever possible. McPherson thanked Central Vancouver co-chair Mebrat Kebede and the other Lower Mainland chairs for organizing the informative and fun evening, which included a delicious 10-course Chinese dinner.

The chairs issued an open invitation to all long term care nurses in the Lower Mainland to attend.