Poll: Over 80 per cent of Ontario nurses have seen mental health decline during pandemic
Posted January 28, 2021 6:36 am.
Last Updated January 28, 2021 6:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new poll is revealing the critical state of morale for front-line workers in Ontario.
The poll conducted by the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario surveyed over 750 registered nurses in the province.
The findings show that 83 per cent of nurses believe their mental health has been adversely affected by the pandemic and two-thirds believe they don’t have adequate support.
More than half, 57 per cent, say they are under financial stress despite an increased workload. One-in-three say they have considered quitting at some point during the pandemic.
RELATED: Doctor claims he was fired from key role due to pandemic response criticism
Registered practical nurses represent a large portion of long-term care and retirement home care staff but they do not serve in emergency wards or intensive care units.
The poll also collected personal testimony, with one respondent writing “I slept underneath a desk, I couldn’t leave because there were too many critical patients and we have no staff.”
“I have held hands with too many people who have died alone,” said another.
The union recommends five actions in response including creating more full-time positions and having more frontline forces heard in future healthcare policy.
