Recent health-care figures point to the need for strategy: Keep more mid-career nurses in profession

Recent health-care figures point to the need for a strategy that will keep more mid-career nurses in the profession. According to the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) statistics compiled by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) show a dramatic decrease in the share of nurses aged 35-49.

Doris Grinspun, executive director of RNAO says the drop in mid-career nurses is a worrisome trend and means attention must be focused on this group to ensure the expertise of these RNs is retained for the benefit of patients in Ontario's health-care system. Grinspun says her association is so concerned about the problem it is holding a mid-career nursing conference this week to examine what support these nurses need to keep them working in our province.

WHAT: Mid-Career Nurse Symposium WHERE: Hyatt Hotel, 370 King Street West, Toronto WHEN: Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. WHO: - Vanessa Burkoski, Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Doris Grinspun, Executive Director, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) - Linda McGillis Hall, University of Toronto (author of "Stuck in the Middle: Addressing the needs of Mid-Career Nurses in Ontario")