Each year, Queen’s Park Day (QPD) brings nurses from across Ontario together in a powerful display of unity. It provides a unique platform for RNAO’s board of directors and assembly of leaders to voice key priorities, showcase their political action skills and engage in meaningful discussions with members of provincial parliament (MPP). It is one of RNAO’s signature political events and an impactful one for the entire nursing community. QPD powers nurses to come together, stand up for the profession and work toward positive change for Ontarians. 

After three years of COVID-19, RNAO members were finally able to assemble in person for RNAO’s 23rd QPD on March 2. The day began with the release of a milestone report Nursing Career Pathways, which reinforces the troubling stats shared in the association’s Work and Wellbeing survey (2021) and Nursing Through Crisis report (2022). This comprehensive and unprecedented work revealed that 75 per cent of nurses are experiencing burnout and 69 per cent of the more than 5,000 nurses surveyed said they plan to leave the profession within five years. 

“Nursing Career Pathways examines the nursing landscape, its opportunities and how we can strengthen and rebuild our profession, so nurses can fulfill their aspirations and be fully equipped to provide the care Ontarians need during all ages and stages of life,” RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway said at the media conference she moderated alongside then Immediate Past-President Morgan Hoffarth and CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun.

Nursing is a “demanding, amazing and exhilarating profession. There is a direct relationship between a healthy nursing workforce and a healthy population,” Holloway reminded all.

According to the report, urgent action is needed now more than ever.