Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Ontario continue to face significant challenges due to ongoing staffing shortages, according to a new survey by the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN).
The annual report, “The State of Nursing in Ontario: A 2024 Review,” reflects the experiences of over 1,300 RPNs and underscores the critical state of healthcare in the province.
Nearly 80% of surveyed RPNs have been directly impacted by the nursing shortage, with 84% reporting an increase in their workload over the past year. This marks a slight improvement from 92% the previous year. However, nearly half of the respondents (49%) noted a decline in the quality of patient care, with 93% of those affected by the shortage witnessing compromised patient care due to insufficient staffing.
“While we have seen some marginal improvements, the overall pace is not moving in the direction where it needs to be to appropriately address the effects of staffing shortages that persist across the province,” said Dianne Martin, Chief Executive Officer of WeRPN. “Ontario’s RPNs are in a unique position and continue to bear the brunt of pervasive staffing shortages that not only jeopardize the quality of care they can provide to patients but also impact their personal well-being.”
Half considering leaving
The survey reveals that nearly half of Ontario RPNs (48%) are considering leaving the profession, an improvement from last year’s 62%. However, the potential loss of RPNs remains a significant concern. Additionally, 69% of respondents reported an increase in experienced nurses leaving their workplace, and 50% do not feel their workplace has enough experienced nurses for complex cases.
Key findings from the report include:
- Workload and Responsibilities: 84% of RPNs reported an increased workload, with 59% working more hours than scheduled. Additionally, 75% have assumed more responsibilities, 74% missed meals or breaks, and 62% cared for more patients than usual.
- Patient Care: 91% of respondents believe that staffing shortages have negatively impacted patient care. Common issues include longer wait times (84%), inconsistent patient schedules (70%), longer assessment times (67%), and difficulty accessing necessary care (64%).
- Mental Health: 64% of RPNs reported worsening self-care and overall mental health, with 72% experiencing adverse mental health effects due to their work. Moral distress, affecting 60% of RPNs, is a significant issue, particularly among those impacted by staffing shortages.
- Workplace Stress: 80% of RPNs reported increased workplace stress, and 81% felt unsupported in their roles. Over half (54%) experienced or witnessed an increase in workplace violence, and 67% felt pressured to work in unsafe conditions.
- Financial Stress: 75% of RPNs are experiencing financial stress, with 72% noting no significant improvement in wages. Wages and workloads are the primary reasons cited by those considering leaving the profession.
Despite efforts to address the shortage, Ontario saw a net loss of 414 RPNs in the past year, with 1,752 new RPNs added but 2,166 leaving. The province continues to graduate new RPNs, but the faster pace of experienced RPNs leaving exacerbates the issue.
Call for action
In response to these findings, WeRPN is calling on the Ontario government and healthcare leaders to take immediate action, including:
- Introducing legislated nurse-to-patient ratios.
- Establishing competitive and harmonized nursing wages.
- Ensuring regular staffing levels are met.
- Enhancing access to educational opportunities for nurses.
- Reducing reliance on nursing agencies.
“The provincial government and healthcare leadership teams must continue to take action to further tackle increasing RPN staffing shortages head-on,” added Martin. “We are at a critical inflection point in our healthcare system, and we are asking leadership to demonstrate to RPNs that they acknowledge the significance of these challenges.”
The survey, conducted online from March 15 to 25, 2024, included 1,304 RPNs across Ontario and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.