Recruitment and Retention Incentives for NP Students
The Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners addresses challenges that we as NPs face, and seek to better serve the people of this province. Recruitment and Retention of future NPs is an important issue that needs to be addressed. Currently there are 25 vacant NP positions posted in the province but needs are actually estimated to be 41positions. This calculation is predicted with a broad look at current needs and is reflective of our current practitioners approaching retirement. Complicating the arising need for recruitment and retention is a provincial change in transfer payments to Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). The previous bursary program for NP students has disappeared.
One special event at our recent annual meeting was the announcement of the Heather Keith Award Winner. The Heather Keith Award is given annually to a Nurse Practitioner who demonstrates excellence. Jeannie Daku from Carlyle Primary Health Center is this year’s winner. Jeannie has a passion for women’s issues and continues to work collaboratively with many different disciplines to further programs supporting women. She has developed programs for her community and her region; her work also expands beyond her own region.