Luncheon
Address to The Canadian Institute Conference
The Case of the Disappearing Nurses
...If trends continue,
the number of nurses will not keep pace
with Canada's growing and aging population.
Due to population growth alone, it is forecast
that Canada's healthcare system will suffer
a shortage of 59,000 nurses by 2011. Factor
in the increased demand for nursing by an
aging population, and Canada will soon be
short 113,000 nurses. It's an understatement
to say that such a shortage of nurses jeopardizes
high-quality healthcare.
So let's look deeper: the facts are straightforward,
but what are the causes? Why are there fewer
nurses than we need in a profession that
for hundreds of years attracted those whose
competence and compassion became society's
very model of selfless dedication?
We know the answer.
Study after study, report after report,
testimonial after testimonial tell us
that it's the lack of respect shown to
their profession -- and not low salaries
-- that drives nurses either out of the
country or on to other careers.
