An ongoing nursing shortage at the Chelsey site of South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) has led to a reduction in hours for the hospital’s emergency department, which has gone from 24/7 coverage to a 12-hour schedule (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.). The new schedule will be in place until positions can be filled, says interim chief nursing officer Lynn Bos, who is recruiting RNs, but says they need more senior RNs with emergency department experience. “We have had some success recruiting new nurses in the last couple of months, however, these nurses are new graduates or have limited (emergency) experience,” she says. The situation at SBGHC is not unique as hospitals in rural communities often face challenges recruiting and retaining RNs. Nurses are required to develop a high degree of competency in a number of clinical domains and specialties, Bos suggests, and new graduates can often be unprepared to work in a rural setting without significant orientation and mentorship. (Owen Sound Sun Times, Jan. 8)