SRNA processing hundreds of inquiries about emergency licences

One week ago, the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA) put out an urgent call to its eligible members — including retired nurses, non-practising nurses, and grad nurses — to register for emergency practising licensure.

It was part of the association’s pandemic plan, to call them to the front lines if and when they were needed.

Since then, the SRNA has received hundreds of inquiries about qualifications from about 1,100 people on its list. In less than a week, more than a dozen of those emergency licences have been issued, says executive director Cindy Smith.

“We have licensed 17,” Smith said. “Sixteen of those are registered nurses and one is a nurse practitioner. Of the 1,100 that we have said are eligible on our register, 142 of those are retired nurses. So, the majority of the emergency licences that we have issued to date are retired nurses.”

The vetting and approval process is being done manually to make it more streamlined for those who apply. If and when a person is approved, the emergency licence is good for 90 days, with the potential for extension for an additional 90 days.

The need will be assessed on a continual basis.

“We’re trying to make it easier,” Smith said. “They can just go on our website to first assess whether or not they’re eligible, because some might not know if they’re eligible, or call any of our staff.”

The list of nurses approved is updated daily on the association’s website.

While Smith said these are “unprecedented times,” she said a similar measure was enacted by the SRNA during the H1N1 outbreak more than a decade ago.

“I do know that was the only other time in recent history that this (pandemic plan) has ever been used,” she said.

Smith said she’s pleased with the response so far, and if anyone is unsure about their qualifications, they should go to the SRNA’s website for additional information.

“We’re hoping the word gets out … and if you’re eligible, we’ll get you licensed,” Smith said. “We’re here and ready to assist the health-care system.”