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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-10, Page 7The Huron Expositor • January 10, 2007 Page 7 News Rural nursingstudyeves tonurses ' st stepto retainingand recruiting nurses for Alliance McMaster study Called fir now deserve full-time jobs. "There was a feeling of being less worthy if you're passed over," she said. Recommendations of the study included attracting young nurses back to the communities where they were raised, budgeting for continu- ing education for nurses and plac- ing security guards in small hospi- tals. Tuer-Hodes said that while rural nurses have an overall job satisfac- tion, they are still getting burnt out. "I talked to one nurse who retired at 56 and asked her if she'd contin- ue at part-time but she wouldn't. Nurses are burnt out and happy to retire with full pension and go on to something else. It's a hard job and a heavy job since the patients in hos- pital now really are sick," she said. Susan Hundertmark IIMEMININD Participating in a rural nursing study done by McMaster University was an important first step in figur- ing out how to retain and recruit nurses to the Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance, the Alliance board was told Thursday night. "It was a thorough and a good study and the nurses appreciated being a part of it. It's the first step to giving our nurses a voice," Chief Nursing Executive Donnalene Tuer-Hodes told the board. The study, funded by the province, inter- viewed nurses working at 19 small rural hos- pitals, both those involved with alliances "being it" since there was some- times no one else on duty at night at the hospital," she said. The study showed that most senior nurses at rural hospitals had married and settled into the com- munity while many younger nurses were lost to urban centres. "We often lose new grads because there are no fulltime posi- tions and young people like the urban centres. Also, there's the idea that here (a small town like Seaforth) is a retirement communi- ty," said Tuer-Hodes. The study also showed that nurses upgrade their skills by taking courses during their time off and with their own funds. "This is an issue in every hospital and it's one of the recommenda- thorough and a good study and the nurses appreciated being a part` of Donnalene Tuer-Hodes, Chief Nursing Executive and amalgamations and those operating independently. Tuer-Hodes said rural nurses con- sidered themselves to be generalists who had to be flexible and multi- task. "They defined themselves as tions for the budget for funding. There is a serious need for continu- ing education," said Tuer-Hodes. Nurses in the studies also asked for a greater security presence for night shifts since three women are often working alone at rural hospi- Ophthalmologist `working full tilt' already in Seaforth Susan Hundertmark Ophthalmologist Dr. Rick Bains has already seen 40-50 patients in December and is established in Seaforth already, the Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance board was told last Thursday. "He's working full tilt already," said Lynn Strugnell, VP of Clinical Programs. Offering a comprehensive eye ser- vice to patients with cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic problems and trauma, Dr. Bains will begin his privileges at Clinton Public Hospital on Feb. 1. "He's already meeting doctors and the optometrists' group and they're very pleased about the whole thing," said Strugnell. "He's very happy to take on new patients and we're happy to wel- come him to our communities," she said. Dr. Marianne Smith, Clinton hos- pital's chief of staff, said the new ophthalmologist is the most exciting news to report from Clinton. "You've done a tremendous job obtaining his services. It's a very important and very progressive move and the medical staff all sup- port that," she said. CEO Andrew Williams said that while there was a small amount of negative reaction to the change, it means the expansion of ophthalmo- logical services from two to four days a week. "The pushback we've seen will dissipate and all surgical work will continue in Clinton. You always hear a little bit of negativity in any transition," he said. THl-1 ibbcrt 41110 Mutual Fire insurance Company Head Office Fleeter, ON NOM ISI 235-0350 • Est. 1876 Residential Farm & Commercial Properties DIRECTORS d ADJUSTERS Jos Chaffs. R.R. 5 Mitchel 348-9705 Tam Floss, R.R. 2 Dubin 2452947 Larry Garinar, R.R. 2 Staffs 345.2878 Jock H.dlsrt, R.R. 1 Cirltton 229-8152 Michael O'Shea, R.R. 3 Granton 225-2800 Monis Willows, R.R. 2 St. Pauls 393-8548 IIII Warr Moyer Enter 2351116 Ili Ovid Moore Dubin 2452612 Jam Umac Mitchel 341-1112 tals at night. "We should definitely follow that up. If someone drunk or violent comes in at night - you could see how that would be a concern," said Alliance board member Jane Rowat. Tuer-Hodes added that while nurses have a spider alarm system, they feel the police are too far away to be of any comfort. "The ER nurses particularly feel isolated and vulnerable," she said. The issue of whether small rural hospitals can offer full or part-time positions to nurses was also stud- ied, along with the strategies now being used of sharing positions across hospitals while they're allied. Tuer-Hodes said nurses find working in more than one site stressful since every hospital does things a little differently. A new initia- tive by the gov- ernment to offer new grads full- time positions was also criti- cized in the study since it passes over last year's grads as well as mid -career nurs- es who felt they Sere werdm Sufis 2452771 REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES - Bib OR SMALLU Air Conditioning • Tune Ups • Brakes • Tires Computer Diagnostic Equipment • No Drip Rust Proofing Safety Checks • Buy & Sell Scrap Cars - Steve FrHzl•y Licensed Mechanic Over 14 Years Of Experience Servicing All Makes And Models! • 54 Goderich St. E. Seaforth 519-527-0797 Better Sleep Through Science FLOOR MODEL MATTRESS CLEAR OUT SALE PRICES Plus * All Taxes Included Shop early! Many items limited • Fquivsilent of Taxes Free Delivery! Free Set-up! The Do -Not -Disturb Mattress Bring it all Hom e For Los FINE FURNITURE & �i Floors 7 1 klltci'i 11toNs liltrls iI 1 .11111 till 1:t2 - 95115 eiodti