The Manitoba government says a record 45 nurses are completing specialized critical care training to work in hospitals across the province.
The nurses began their training on January 5 and will complete the program on April 23, preparing them to work in ICUs and other high-acuity hospital settings. A new cohort will begin training on April 27.
“For years, nurses were asked to do more with less and our hospitals did not have the ICU capacity to meet patient needs,” said Premier Wab Kinew, in a release.
“We’re turning that around by rebuilding our health-care system and supporting the people who make it work.”
Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, says training more ICU nurses is an important step toward safe staffing levels.
“When nurses have the support and staffing, they need, patients receive better, safer care,” Jackson said.
In a statement, the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP) said, “The province has done nothing to address the growing crisis in our ICUs and retain these specialized health care professionals where they are needed most: at the bedside, making sure patients can breathe.”
The MAHCP pointed to the Grace Hospital — where the province made Monday’s announcement — saying more than 40 percent of respiratory therapist positions remain unfilled at the facility.
“Respiratory therapists are leaving Winnipeg’s ICUs and acute care centres faster than they can be hired,” said MAHCP president Jason Linklater.
The association also highlighted unfilled respiratory therapy training seats at the University of Manitoba, where 16 graduates are expected this spring, while also saying the first-year cohort in the three-year program is only half full.
