RPNs have critical role in health-care solution - Letter to the Editor Hamilton Spectator by Dianne Martin, RPNAO Executive Director

Upon reading the article criticizing the work of Registered Practical Nurses, and the appropriateness of their role within hospitals today, I feel compelled to clarify the reality of the roles of the RPN and the RN, the need for thoughtful decision making around their individual roles, and how they best work together to provide safe, quality patient care.

Dianne Martin
Executive Director
Registered Practical Nurses Associaiton of Ontario
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jan 28, 2009)

Re: ‘Nurses vow to fight cuts’ (Jan. 23)

Every day, Ontarians hear more about the implications of our nursing shortage. Hospitals are reducing emergency room hours. Patients are going without proper care. The situation is unacceptable. And it's getting worse.

The debate around the $25 million in cuts at Hamilton Health Sciences has focused on the jobs of registered nurses (RNs). However, registered practical nurses (RPNs) have a crucial role to play in solving the health-care puzzle.

The article characterized RPNs as "cheaper," "less-skilled" workers taking the jobs of RNs. This is inaccurate, misguided and insulting.

RPNs are highly educated professionals, registered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (like RNs). RPNs typically work with more stable patients with more predictable outcomes, But RPNs care for a much wider range of patients. Let me be clear. It is never acceptable to lay off any nurse.

But by using RPNs to care for more stable patients, RNs can be freed up to attend to more critical roles. That means emergency rooms can stay open, patients can receive the quality care they need, and health-care institutions can operate more cost-effectively.

The choice is not "RNs or nothing,” It's about providing the right care province for the right patient at the right time. Making use of RPNs is a practical approach Ontario can't afford to overlook.