Nurses speak out on staffing crisis during RNAO’s #FallTour

As part of RNAO’s eighth annual Fall Tour, RNAO’s President Dr. Claudette Holloway, CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun and Immediate Past-President Morgan Hoffarth met virtually and in-person with members and non-members across Ontario. 

Between Sept. 12-23, nurses from Waterloo, Sarnia, Chatham, Sault Ste. Marie and Toronto shared their experiences with RNAO’s leadership team over the past year and their feelings of burnout and exhaustion as they continue to fight COVID-19 under Bill 124. They also discussed how some nurses are leaving traditional employment to go to private agencies or across the border, as well as the work of palliative care nurses work throughout the pandemic, advocacy for more NP-led clinics, and the need for increased mentorship opportunities for nursing students and new grads.

In addition, RNAO provided an update on its advocacy over the past year and the successes and achievements we, as members, should be proud of. 

Thank you to all chapters, regions and interest groups who hosted a visit this year as well as those who participated. Stay tuned for details on next year’s Fall Tour event. 

Explore our Facebook gallery for photos of the events. 

Please read the media advisory and the following media coverage to learn more:

• CityNews: Local nurses say province spinning its tires on staffing crisis
• CityNews Kitchener – The Mike Farwell Show: Thursday September 15th, 2022 (19:32 mark)
• iHeartRadio – The Shift with Patty Handysides: Nurses call for an end to the nursing crisis
• Muskoka411: Nurses call for an end to the nursing crisis during RNAO Fall Tour
• The Record: Burned-out nurses in Waterloo Region leaving the profession, deepening nursing shortage
• The Sarnia Observer: Nurse burnout significant in Sarnia: RNAO
• The Sault Star: ‘Nurses are not being heard’: Stress, burnout, out-migration troubles professional association