Government announced new initiatives for the recruitment and retention of registered nurses today.
Government is cutting the red tape for nurses outside the province and internationally to come work here. Health Minister Tom Osborne says the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador can now register and license applicants faster. Background checks will now only be done by the College and not duplicated with the employer doing the same. College Executive Director Lynn Power says this streamlines the application process by speeding it up 92 percent. The college is working closely with 7 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, the Phillipines, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Power says these nurses have the same education, with literally the same textbooks. This province needs upwards of 600 nurses to fill the void. Government recently hired 200 registered nursing grads here and there are 200 internationally trained nurses living here now. 2-3 hundred nurses from India will be working here in the province later this year.
Route 430 reopens today but one person taken to hospital after two-vehicle collision last night
No injuries but damage done after a tractor trailer jackknifed near Steady Brook this morning
Government looks to amend the Future Fund to pay down debt and spend smarter
Qalipu First nations is focusing on Netukulimk, which is a way of being and interconnecting
Route 430 is now open after last night's collision near the St. Anthony airport but poor conditions remain
