The Aug. 31 article in The Prince George Citizen (Nurse vs. Nurse) may leave readers with the impression that BCNU doesn't encourage robust membership debate on the issue of unifying nurses.
The reality is quite the contrary. Regional forums, BCNU council meetings and information sessions gave all members numerous opportunities to express their views.
And discussion at our 2010 provincial convention gave delegates an opportunity for vigorous debate. That debate ended with an overwhelming vote by delegates in favour of nursing unity.
BCNU is committed to building the nursing teams of the future. That means all nurses sharing their skills and experience to better serve our patients and build a stronger public health-care system.
That's why BCNU members asked me to come to Prince George. Nurses want their union to highlight their concerns about patient safety at UHNBC. They want the public to know they've filed more than 250 reports in the last two years about Northern Health's inability to satisfy their concerns about inadequate patient care and safety.
The problems that brought me to Prince George aren't about union versus union, or nurse versus nurse. Nurses are voicing their concerns because their patients are being placed at risk at UHNBC.
Licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and nurse practitioners will be better able to advocate for improved patient safety when they share membership in a common union.
Debra McPherson
president
B.C. Nurses' Union
