Nurses Bring Urgent Message to Victoria: “Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Depend on Safe Working Conditions”

May 02, 2024

BCNU member survey exposes prevalence of hazards faced by nurses in every health authority, posing largest threat to implementation

BC Nurses’ Union representatives are meeting with MLAs of all political stripes this week, to call on the government to hold the province’s health employers accountable when it comes to keeping nurses and health-care staff safe.

Nurses’ responses to a recent, province wide BCNU survey have revealed some startling statistics around the regularity and frequency of workplace incidents, including the experience of physical violence and verbal or emotional abuse, and exposure to illicit substances and weapons.

“The personal experiences that have been shared with us clearly show how health employers are failing to make safety a priority,” says BCNU President Adriane Gear. “It’s time employers realize it is their legal and moral obligation to support their staff and make health-care settings safe for both nurses and patients.”

The survey responses are concerning. On a monthly basis, a staggering 81 percent of nurses say they experience verbal and/or emotional abuse, 61 percent say their units are exposed to illicit substances and 39 percent report being exposed to weapons. Nearly half report working short-staffed every day and more than a third say they are seriously considering leaving the profession or are already making plans to do so.

“The findings should serve as a wake-up call to health authorities that without immediate action, we will not be able to retain the nurses we have now and recruit the nurses we need in the future,” says Gear. We look forward to working with government to help establish a better understanding that employers must do better.”

The latest Statistics Canada data show BC’s systemic nursing shortage continues with 5,080 current vacancies.

“BCNU has pushed hard to make this province the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratios – a policy solution proven to save lives and support safe working conditions for nurses, ultimately transforming the health-care system.

However, to make that happen, health authorities need to start listening,” says Gear.

For media interviews, please contact the BCNU Communications Department at media@bcnu.org.

Island Health

At least once a month:

44% are exposed to weapons.
68% are exposed to illicit substances.
54% experience physical violence.
83% experience verbal or emotional abuse.
97% are working short staffed.
41% are seriously considering leaving nursing or are already making a plan to do so.

Providence Health

At least once a month:

53% are exposed to weapons.
81% are exposed to illicit substances.
66% experience physical violence.
87% experience verbal or emotional abuse.
91% are working short staffed.
37% are seriously considering leaving nursing or are already making a plan to do so.

Northern Health

At least once a month:

50% are exposed to weapons.
72% are exposed to illicit substances.
54% experience physical violence.
85% experience verbal or emotional abuse.
94% are working short staffed.
34% are seriously considering leaving nursing or are already making a plan to do so.

Interior Health

At least once a month:

38% are exposed to weapons.
61% are exposed to illicit substances.
54% experience physical violence.
85% experience verbal or emotional abuse.
94% are working short staffed.
37% are seriously considering leaving nursing or are already making a plan to do so.

Vancouver Coastal Health

At least once a month:

37% are exposed to weapons.
58% are exposed to illicit substances.
59% experience physical violence.
83% experience verbal or emotional abuse.
89% are working short staffed.
35% are seriously considering leaving nursing or are already making a plan to do so.

Fraser Health

At least once a month:

34% are exposed to weapons.
57% are exposed to illicit substances.
54% experience physical violence.
83% experience verbal or emotional abuse.
96% are working short staffed.
36% are seriously considering leaving nursing or are already making a plan to do so.

Provincial Health Services Authority

At least once a month:

21% are exposed to weapons.
39% are exposed to illicit substances.
21% experience physical violence.
56% experience verbal or emotional abuse.
85% are working short staffed.
19% are seriously considering leaving nursing or are already making a plan to do so.