The latest healthcare announcement in B.C. comes as good news to nurses and their patients.
The Province of British Columbia is working with the BC Nurses' Union (BCNU) to create over 1,600 more nursing positions to the B.C. health system.
Specifically in the Interior Health Region, 300 will pop up.
The goal is to improve care for patients and better support nurses on the frontlines of health care.
"Nurses are important, highly-skilled members of health care teams throughout British Columbia, and today's announcement acknowledges their integral role in the health system," said Health Minister Terry Lake, in a statement. "Over the past year, we have been working closely with nurses to make health care improvements that benefit both patients and staff.
“We are confident this spirit of partnership will continue as we work together on a new collective agreement that meets the goals of nurses, health authorities and the Province."
The Ministry of Health, along with health authorities, the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and BCNU have jointly committed to work together to create 1,643 regular nursing positions by March 31, 2016.
"To nurses who are trying to provide safe patient care while working short in ERs and operating rooms and nurses who cope with overwhelming workloads, this agreement means that relief is on the way," said Gayle Duteil, president of the BCNU.
Duteil said nurses who are working casual and want a permanent position can send an email to hireanurse@bcnu.org.
HEABC and BCNU will contract with HealthMatch BC to work in partnership with the health authorities on a recruitment campaign.
Last April, the Ministry of Health and HEABC reached an agreement with BCNU and the Nurses Bargaining Association to improve patient care.
They allocated about $5 million for nursing, for specialists in the emergency room, operating room, obstetric and neonatal nurses, to name a few.
As part of this agreement, the ministry has also provided $1 million to assist Licensed Practical Nurses pursuing registered nurse education and $2 million to provide new mobile technology to community nurses.
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