Is bad press reducing interest in a nursing career in Quebec?

Statistics show notable decrease in applications to college programs

Stress. Overtime. Staff shortages. Exhaustion.

The difficult working conditions for Quebec nurses have been criticized in the media for a long time, where horror stories from those working within the system are published on an almost weekly basis.

But has that bad press made it less attractive for someone to even want to study the profession?

Recent statistics from the Service régional d’admission du Montréal métropolitain (SRAM), which oversees admissions for 32 CEGEPs, suggest fewer are considering a career in nursing, with notable decreases in applications to enter college-level nursing programs in Quebec.

In 2014, 3,748 applications were received by the SRAM, a number that dropped by the March 1 application deadline for this year to 2,948 — a decrease of about 22 per cent.

“At the moment, the first theory that comes to mind is the fact there are a lot messages spread in the media that seem to say the situation for nurses is difficult, that the working conditions are difficult, that the organization of the workload is difficult,” said Bernard Tremblay, president of the Fédération des CÉGEPS.

“We certainly feel that could have an effect on the attractiveness of the program.”

Tremblay insists, however, that no research has been conducted into why the number of applicants has dropped. But he acknowledges he has heard comments suggesting the image of the profession suggests a difficult workplace.

“When we talk to people, when we talk to young people interested in the nursing program, to be sure, (questions) come out — ‘Is the workplace situation a good one? Is it a good idea for me to apply?’ ”

Tremblay also suspects students might prefer to study nursing sciences at the university level, a move that doesn’t require a CEGEP diploma.

Lucie Tremblay, the head of Quebec’s nurses order, says she hasn’t noticed a drop in the attractiveness of her profession, adding the next round of entrance exams to the profession will welcome one of its largest contingents.

“But there is still something extraordinary just the same — a desire to want to be involved and to provide care,” she said. “For six years I’ve spoken to people across Quebec and that desire is still there, even in the tough times we’re experiencing right now.”

Lucie Tremblay said during a recent meeting with college students in Abitibi, the future nurses there said they wanted to be involved in making the changes necessary to improve working conditions.

“I was seeing motivated classrooms, determined to change things because the desire to care for people outweighed everything else,” she said. “We talk a lot about the profession, but it’s also a mix of humanitarianism and a desire to obtain knowledge that is complex. And yes, people are prepared to commit to that to obtain a wide array of abilities to meet the growing needs of the population.”

When we talk to young people interested in the nursing program, to be sure, (questions) come out — ‘Is the workplace situation a good one? Is it a good idea for me to apply?’