2024-07-26 from rnao.ca

New data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reveals worsening nursing workforce trends in Ontario. The province now needs 26,000 additional registered nurses (RN) just to catch up to the RN-to-population ratio in the rest of Canada – a profound gap that has widened by three per cent since 2022. The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) stresses that urgent action is required to retain and recruit more RNs and keep people living in Ontario healthier.

For the ninth consecutive year, Ontario has had the worst RN-to-population ratio in Canada, and it’s getting worse despite recent provincial investments in health care. While the number of nurses in agencies, private clinics and non-bedside roles is increasing, shortages persist in hospitals, community health and long-term care (LTC) sectors. “We need more RNs across all sectors working full-time at full scope, providing direct care to Ontarians,” says RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar. “Without a turnaround in hospitals, community health and LTC, nurses will continue to explore other options within or outside the profession, worsening the crisis.” 

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