Nurses’ union ads based on reality

Re: “Nurses’ union uses scaremongering ads,” letter, Nov. 15. The B.C. Nurses’ Union launched the It’s #thatbad campaign to raise public awareness around the kinds of challenges faced by many nurses in B.C.

As a nurse and as president of the BCNU, I can confirm that the situations faced by our members, and as portrayed in our commercials, are based on real situations. In fact, during filming of the advertisements, nurses were on the set to ensure an accurate portrayal of their work.

The letter-writer refers to the commercial set in a residential-care facility in which only one nurse is on shift. While many nurses in residential care might work with other health-care workers, a single nurse is often responsible for up to 50 residents during a day shift.

On a night shift, there are longterm care homes where there is one nurse responsible for up to 100 residents. This can be unsafe for both the residents and the nurse, depending on various incidents and patient-care needs during the shift.

Despite the challenges, B.C.’s nurses do a good job ensuring that patients are well cared for, even though nurses might be working short-staffed or working excessive overtime, dealing with violent patients or struggling to meet their standards of care.

Failure to address nurses’ concerns puts British Columbians at risk, period. Without enough nurses, none of us will receive the care we need.

That is why the BCNU will continue to stand up for safe patient care, and to advocate for the health and safety of nurses and all health-care workers. Christine Sorensen President, B.C. Nurses’ Union