RNAO Seaway Chapter Hosts Informal Discussion with Nursing Students
It was an intimate and informal gathering, but an important one. The event, organized by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) Seaway Chapter, provided an opportunity for nursing students to engage in direct conversation about pressing issues in healthcare. While MPP Nolan Quinn was unable to attend due to prior commitments, Seaway Chapter Chair Candice Winter acknowledged his absence and expressed appreciation for the participation of those present.
The event began with an introduction by Morgan Hoffarth, who provided insight into the RNAO’s mission and its significant membership, which currently stands at 54,400 strong. From there, the conversation took on a relaxed, open-discussion format, allowing nursing students to voice their concerns and ask direct questions about healthcare policies and nursing-specific challenges.
Addressing Nurses’ Concerns
NDP candidate Jeremy Rose participated in the discussion, engaging with students on key issues affecting Ontario’s healthcare system. One major concern raised was the increasing burden on nurses due to staff shortages, leading to burnout and overworked conditions. The students wanted to know: How can nurses be better supported so they can provide quality patient care without facing exhaustion and unsafe workloads?
Another pressing issue brought up was the shortage of doctors, which has led to longer wait times and increased pressure on nurses to fill the gaps in patient care. Students questioned what solutions exist to address this growing concern, discussing the need for incentives to attract and retain doctors in under-served areas, investment in training more healthcare professionals, and streamlining foreign credential recognition to allow qualified international doctors to practice in Canada more efficiently.
The discussion then shifted to clinical placements, a mandatory but unpaid component of nursing education. The students questioned whether there would ever be a plan to compensate them for the extensive hours they are required to complete without pay. One student asked if nursing could ever follow an apprenticeship model, where students are compensated for their training hours. The conversation highlighted the financial strain unpaid placements put on students and the need for solutions to ensure that financial barriers do not deter aspiring nurses.
Encouraging Political Engagement Among Young Voters
Beyond healthcare-specific discussions, attendees also discussed the importance of political participation among young voters. With voter turnout in the last election being alarmingly low, the discussion emphasized that every vote matters. Jeremy Rose urged attendees to stay informed, ask questions, and actively engage in shaping policies that reflect their concerns and priorities.
As the session wrapped up, there was a request for continued engagement, with suggestions for future discussions to be held at the college where more nursing students could participate in the dialogue. Rose expressed his willingness to visit the college and continue the conversation with a broader audience of nursing students.
A Valuable and Insightful Event
While policy discussions took center stage, the informal and approachable nature of the event made it a comfortable space for open discussion. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to have their voices heard and to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of nursing and healthcare in Ontario.
The event, though small in attendance, was meaningful in substance. It provided future nurses with an opportunity to express their concerns and discuss potential solutions to ongoing challenges in the healthcare system. With healthcare remaining a critical issue in Ontario, the voices of these young nursing students—and their active participation in shaping the future—are more important than ever.
