“You all give me hope.”
Those were the words of Karima Velji, Ontario’s Chief of Nursing and Professional Practice and Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM). Velji toured Stratford General Hospital Thursday and talked to nurses about their successes and the challenges they face.
Velji is a former president of the Canadian Nurses Association and said the sector is still playing catch-up to fill vacant nursing positions from both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It takes three to four years to create a registered nurse. It takes two years to create a registered practical nurse. We are creating the workforce of today and tomorrow, but it will take a bit of time for them to graduate.”
She added nurse practitioner spots in post-secondary educational institutions have increased from 300 to 510 under the current provincial government.
Velji participated in a fireside chat and answered nurses’ questions about the current state and future of nursing in Ontario. In particular, the event focused on health system transformation and integrated care.
Velji said her goal is to share positive stories about nursing and highlight successful initiatives and the good things happening in facilities like Stratford.
“Look at the way they work. I’ve seen every unit here, and it’s phenomenal. I want to tell those stories to the public so they see a very positive face. Nurses that I encountered are happy giving care. I want that view and image of nurses to be out there.”
Stratford General Hospital, part of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, has implemented a patient & caregiver partner program that recognizes the value of firsthand patient experience in helping improve care, communication, policies, and hospital services.
Joining Velji on the fireside chat panel were Lynanne Mason, HPHA Chief Nursing Executive and Vice President, Partnerships and Transformation; Elizabeth Callaghan, HPHA Nurse Practitioner; and Donnalene Tuer-Hodes, past HPHA Chief Nursing Executive and Director.
“We’re extremely grateful for the assistant deputy minister’s time and for choosing to visit us,” said Mason. “Having the province’s chief of nursing and professional practice visit us is extremely important because our frontline nurses can give feedback on the impact of various healthcare initiatives.”
Velji leads the integrated health human strategy for the province, which includes a focus on education expansion/clinical support, scope-of-practice expansion, expediting pathways for interjurisdictional and international practitioners, and retention/distribution programs. She is a registered nurse and has held senior leadership positions in several academic health science centres and boards.
The tour and fireside chat were part of celebrating Nursing Week in Ontario, which recognizes the work and accomplishments of registered nurses and registered practical nurses in the province.
