Horizon Health Network is in discussions with UNB to increase seats for nursing students and it’s looking to ramp up recruitment efforts nationally and internationally. Karen McGrath, the CEO of the Horizon Health Network, told the legislature that while doctors are also in demand, the situation is most acute with registered nurses. While 320 nurses are expected to retire in each of the next five years, the two nursing schools in the province at UNB and Université de Moncton only graduate 265 nurses annually. McGrath suggested converting more doctors’ offices and clinics into full-fledged community health centres would be more attractive to nurses. Horizon wants to create two or three more of these clinics every year. Made up of teams of physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses, they offer better hours than a doctor’s office and are better suited to take in those who would usually visit an ER.
Related:
Bring nursing homes under Horizon umbrella to ease hospital crowding, CEO says - CBC
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