Debates of October 25, 2004 (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pick up where I left off with questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. I’d like the Minister to explain why an LPN at Stanton can earn more than a registered nurse under the new re-evaluation that’s in place at Stanton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 297-15(3): Levels Of Pay For Nurses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the highest end of the LPN classification is that it’s not classified higher than the starting salary of a nurse, so I’d have to look at the specifics. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 297-15(3): Levels Of Pay For Nurses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to assure the Minister that that is indeed the case at Stanton, where, as I mentioned in my Member’s statement, a lady went back to school, had been an LPN for 20 years and now she’s an RN, and there are LPNs at Stanton earning more than she is as a registered nurse, Mr. Speaker. What steps are being taken to ensure that nurses who are working and getting paid in the specialty areas have the skills, knowledge and abilities to be there, Mr. Speaker? Can the Minister answer that question? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 297-15(3): Levels Of Pay For Nurses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the jobs have been classified, the job descriptions rewritten with the skills, requirements and the education in an outline, and it’s my assumption that people in those positions meet those requirements. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 297-15(3): Levels Of Pay For Nurses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let’s say for all things being equal, two grads from the Aurora College Northern Nursing Program, one goes into obstetrics and one goes into surgery. They have the same skill set, they just got out of college. One gets paid more because she’s in obstetrics than the other one in surgery, Mr. Speaker. What is Stanton doing to make sure that the nurses that are coming into the specialty areas have the skills, the certification and the knowledge to get paid and to be in that specialty area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 297-15(3): Levels Of Pay For Nurses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if an individual wants to go into a specialty area, either nursing or going from being an MD to being a specialist, there are separate courses of study and training required. You don’t just walk in with your college diploma in hand and walk into the most complex or high-requirement job in the operation without any further training and time on the job. I’m not clear on exactly what the Member is suggesting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 297-15(3): Levels Of Pay For Nurses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to advise the Minister that that has happened and is happening at Stanton, and that’s something he should perhaps check on. I’m also going to ask the Minister if he or his department are currently doing anything to address the concerns of the nurses that have been left out of the increases at Stanton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 297-15(3): Levels Of Pay For Nurses

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The management has met with the nurses. No nurse took any loss in pay. There was a recognition, as we’ve indicated earlier in the House, that those jobs with the higher skill levels are paid more. There have been meetings, I believe there have been some grievances filed that are being dealt with through due process, but the fundamental bottom line is that no nurse took any loss in pay or benefits and, in fact, the pay and benefits for all nurses have gone up. Thank you.