By Arun Budhathoki, NB Media Co-op

October, 2022

FREDERICTON / UNCEDED WOLASTOQIYIK TERRITORY –

The New Brunswick Nurses Union launched its ‘Picking Up the Pieces’ campaign today in Moncton. 

“We know as New Brunswickers, and as nurses working in the system, that our system is broken,” said Paula Doucet, president of NBNU, in an interview with the NB Media Co-op. 

“In many cases, it seems to be shattered in many pieces right now. So the theme for our annual meeting and our ad campaign is about picking up the pieces and that nurses are forefront and willing to do that with employers and government to ensure that we have a healthcare system that’s put back together properly”.

More than 200 nurses are expected to gather at Moncton’s Delta Beausejour for the union’s 48th Annual General Meeting, which is taking place this week.

Delegates will come together in-person for the first time since the 2019 AGM to discuss union business and healthcare issues in New Brunswick. 

The healthcare system in New Brunswick faces an unprecedented collapse because of the nursing shortage, the global pandemic, and increased workloads.

The provincial government recently announced extending “navigation services” for health workers trained abroad having international credentials. 

The union will discuss topics such as investment in preventative healthcare, long haul covid, agency nurses, and promoting nursing in schools.

The NB Media Co-op has reached out to the Department of Health, Horizon Health Network, and Vitalité Health Network for comment.

Arun Budhathoki is a journalist with the NB Media Co-op. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users (CACTUS).