A recent study by the Montreal Economic Institute revealed that New Brunswick faced a significant challenge in retaining young nurses in 2023. The report highlighted that for every 100 nurses under the age of 35 who began their careers in the province, 62 young nurses left. This retention rate marked New Brunswick as the second-worst province in terms of retaining young nurses, with only Newfoundland and Labrador faring worse.
The report attributed this trend partly to the conclusion of short-term travel nurse contracts during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The national average retention rate for young nurses across Canada stood at 40, as per data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
The departure of young nurses exacerbates the existing shortage of healthcare professionals, putting additional strain on an already overburdened healthcare system. Emmanuelle Faubert, an economist at the Montreal Economic Institute, emphasized that the increased workload on remaining nurses leads to burnout, ultimately affecting the quality of patient care.
Despite a slight improvement from the previous year, with the outflow of young nurses decreasing compared to 2022, New Brunswick witnessed a 37% rise in the departure of young nurses since 2014. The influx and outflow numbers for nurses under 35 in 2023 revealed a challenging landscape, with 804 new entrants and 498 departures reported.
Additionally, data from two regional health networks supported the findings of the report, indicating a significant turnover of nurses. Paula Doucet, president of the New Brunswick Nurses Union, echoed concerns raised in the study, emphasizing the lack of support and orientation for young nurses entering the profession.
Efforts to address the issue include a new agreement aimed at improving remuneration and working conditions for nurses in New Brunswick. Health Minister Dr. John Dornan highlighted the importance of creating a positive work environment to retain healthcare professionals and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services.
Emmanuelle Faubert suggested various solutions to mitigate the departure of young nurses, such as exploring privatization to improve salaries and working conditions. However, this proposal faced opposition from union leaders who warned against creating a two-tiered healthcare system based on the ability to pay.
Looking to provinces like British Columbia as a model for retention strategies, Faubert recommended implementing measures like shift-swapping pools and streamlining accreditation processes for internationally educated nurses. These initiatives aim to enhance recruitment and retention efforts in the healthcare sector, ultimately benefiting both nurses and patients.