Update on VIANurse

RNAO launched the COVID-19 VIANurse program on March 12, 2020, and has provided staffing services free of charge to the entire province during an unprecedented time of need.

As we informed on May 19, RNAO’s VIANurse program is now providing staffing assistance only to health facilities with active COVID-19 outbreaks. Health organizations – in all sectors – not facing a COVID-19 outbreak, but looking to fulfill their ongoing staffing needs in nursing and other health professions, are asked to advertise as always in RNAO’s job board, RNCareers.ca

During this period, VIANurse registered 7,448 RNs for virtual and clinical care, 1,031 critical care RNs (who have experience and continued competency in the provision of critical care), and 289 NPs. In addition, 394 colleagues responded to our call for work at nursing homes experiencing an outbreak: 289 RNs and 40 NPs and 54 nursing students – ready to go to nursing homes in an active outbreak - plus, 11 RNs who can do non-clinical work in outbreaks places.

VIANurse served the staffing needs of more than 313 organizations in different sectors, including 238 long-term care homes, 29 hospitals, 11 public health units, 7 indigenous health facilities, 3 hospices, 3 correctional centres and other sectors. And, many organizations have accessed VIANurse multiple times.

The latest partnership is with Toronto Public Health, and was graciously acknowledged by their leaders:

I am pleased to share news of this partnership and I sincerely thank the RNAO for their generous support of our COVID-19 response. We've had a very positive response to our job call thus far from RNAO’s VIANurses who are enthusiastic about this important opportunity. My team and I look forward to welcoming these colleagues to work with us on our COVID-19 response.

- Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health