P.E.I. union questions international nurse recruitment transparency

P.E.I. health officials are pleased with their recent international trips to recruit nurses. They conducted interviews in Dubai and Singapore, aiming to fill jobs in the health care sector. However, the P.E.I. Nurses' Union is raising concerns about the lack of information regarding these new recruits. Barbara Brookins, the union's president, stated they have no details on the nurses’ identities or their job placements. She emphasized the need to support these new hires to prevent any struggles they might face while adjusting to their roles. Health Minister Mark McLane reported that 101 job offers were made from the recruitment efforts. He mentioned that 75 of these recruits are either already working or in mandatory courses to qualify as registered nurses in Canada. Still, he could not specify how many are in P.E.I.'s public system. Both opposition parties are questioning the recruitment expenses and the effectiveness of the process. Health critic Gord McNeilly highlighted that the situation is not as positive as the government claims. He believes the number of new nurses is still insufficient to meet the system’s needs. Additionally, P.E.I. is not solely depending on international recruits. The province has increased nursing program seats at UPEI, with 65 graduates expected this year. Health officials are hoping these changes will help improve the workforce more quickly.