As Saskatchewan marks National Nursing Week May 9-15th, the government is recognizing the dedication and commitment of the 16,900 nurses across the province for the care they provide to residents.
The theme of this year’s National Nursing Week is “We answer the call,” showcasing the many roles that nurses play in a patient’s health care journey.
“This week we celebrate nurses in our province for their many contributions to the health and well-being of residents, especially through the past two years. I want to thank them for answering the call. Along with other health care providers, they are the foundation of our health system,” says Health Minister Paul Merriman.
Officials highlight investments dedicated to training, recruitment and retention of nurses, as the province continues to manage COVID-19 and support the health system’s recovery from its effects.
New funding in the 2022-23 budget will add 150 new nursing training seats: 124 for Registered Nurses, 16 for Registered Psychiatric Nurses and 10 for Nurse Practitioners offered through the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
The budget also includes $1.5 million in new one-time funding for a recruitment incentive program, according to officials.