CFNU Member
Survey Report March 2024
In early 2024, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) commissioned Viewpoints Research to conduct an online survey of 5,595 practicing nurses across Canada. This national survey, the third of its kind in four years, aimed to gather insights on nursing conditions and challenges, with many questions repeated from previous years for comparison.
MENTAL DISORDER SYMPTOMS AMONG NURSES IN CANADA
The CFNU, in collaboration with the University of Regina, conducted the first Canada-wide assessment of occupational stress injuries (including PTSD) among nurses. This survey examined nurses’ exposure to traumatic events, critical incidents, and stressful experiences, revealing high rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, burnout, and substance abuse.
Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on nurses’ mental health: A prospective cohort study
A prospective cohort study surveyed nurses between March and May 2020 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health, sleep quality, and attitudes toward the pandemic. A meta-analysis conducted in April 2020 revealed high prevalence rates of anxiety (23.2%), depression (22.8%), and insomnia (38.9%) among healthcare workers, particularly nurses and female workers. The study further highlighted that nurses faced more severe mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other healthcare professionals.
Pathway to Excellence®: A framework to combat PTSD
Workplace stress, particularly in healthcare, has a severe impact on nurse well-being, with emotional exhaustion and burnout escalating into discussions about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these issues, with nurses facing PTSD not only from traumatic events but also from everyday work stressors. The Pathway to Excellence Framework offers a structured approach to mitigate PTSD by focusing on six standards.
COVID-19 Scientific Advisory
Group Evidence Summary
and Recommendations
This document compiles insights from a COVID-19 end review, AHS human resources data, stakeholder discussions, and additional resources to inform solutions.
Nurse Resilience: A Concept Analysis
Nurse resilience is increasingly recognized as vital for managing workplace stress and succeeding in the profession, but a clear, agreed-upon definition is lacking. This concept analysis identified key attributes of nurse resilience, including social support, self-efficacy, work-life balance, optimism, and humour, all of which enable nurses to adapt positively to stress and adversity. The analysis suggests that fostering resilience requires proactive efforts from both individuals and organizations, and proposes that a consistent definition could guide future research and interventions in nursing.
AB Nurses Fight for Equality in Health Coverage
First responders such as police officers and paramedics are automatically eligible for coverage without needing to prove a direct link between their PTSD and workplace incidents. However, nurses must provide evidence of this connection to receive benefits. UNA president Heather Smith criticized this disparity, arguing that nurses, who routinely face traumatic events, should be included in the presumptive coverage group. This issue gained attention after a petition with over 1,000 signatures was submitted to the Alberta government, calling for equal treatment.
Stress, Anxiety, and Growth in Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A study of 1,009 nurses working in acute care environments highlighted significant physical and psychological stress, with nearly 70% reporting anxiety symptoms, 38% of which were at moderate or severe levels. The research suggests that while stress-related growth may occur alongside negative psychological responses, proactive interventions are needed to address the psychological burden on nurses. It emphasizes the importance of implementing routine anxiety screening and considering cultural factors in the development of support strategies for nurses.
Framework for Vicarious Trauma
This issue of Migration Matters addresses the impact of trauma exposure in the workplace, focusing on burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue, all of which can affect service providers. The issue outlines risk factors, warning signs, and offers tools for individuals and organizations to manage these challenges, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance, support systems, and mental health resources. Strategies include recognizing the signs, seeking help, and promoting resilience-building practices.
How to Address Vicarious Trauma in the Workplace
Working in the nonprofit sector, especially with individuals who have experienced trauma, can be highly rewarding but also emotionally challenging. To manage vicarious trauma, it’s essential to foster open communication, seek support from colleagues and mental health professionals, create a trauma-informed workplace, and prioritize self-care. Organizations should provide resources and training to help employees navigate these challenges and protect their mental health.
COVID-19 and PTSD in frontline nurses
Nurses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic have been at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to factors such as workplace violence, trauma, understaffing, and the emotional toll of patient care. Symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and chronic pain.
Nearly half of young nurses in Alberta quitting before age 35, report suggests
A report from the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) highlights alarming retention issues among young nurses in Alberta, revealing that nearly 50% of nurses under 35 quit their jobs before reaching their 35th birthday. Alberta ranks seventh in Canada for nurse retention, with 47.7 nurses leaving for every 100 new hires in 2022, worse than the national average of 40%.
Excess risk of COVID-19 infection and mental distress in healthcare workers during successive pandemic waves
A study of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Alberta, Canada, linked to administrative health data from 2017 to 2022, found that HCWs were at higher risk for both COVID-19 infections and mental health (MH) conditions compared to community referents. Additionally, HCWs showed increased risks for anxiety, stress/adjustment reactions, and depressive conditions, with the highest risk observed during the fourth wave. The risk of mental health issues escalated with each successive wave of the pandemic, indicating prolonged psychological strain on HCWs.
Women who experience trauma are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Here’s why.
More than half of all women will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, and women are more likely than men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with a prevalence rate of 10-12% compared to 5-6% in men. PTSD symptoms in women may include heightened startle response, emotional numbness, and longer-lasting effects than in men. Additionally, women’s trauma often involves interpersonal violence, which is more likely to lead to PTSD, especially when experienced at a young age.
Alberta Nurses for Change 