NDP LEADER: END UNPAID WORK-TERMS FOR NURSING STUDENTS TO DEAL WITH TRAVEL NURSE FIASCO
- NL NDP
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
July 28, 2025
NDP Leader Jim Dinn says a bit of thought and planning - and funding for Nursing Students on work terms here in the province - could have prevented massive government spending on out-of-province travel nurses.
“The Liberal government allowed travel nurse spending to skyrocket to a quarter of a billion dollars completely unchecked,” said Dinn. “Meanwhile, it steadfastly ignores the solutions proposed by the workers who have to deal daily with the fallout of the Liberal government’s neglect. Today we are launching our campaign to end the travel nurse fiasco with practical, common sense solutions. The first phase of our plan addresses the Newfoundland and Labrador students waiting to enter the profession of LPN or RN.”
Dinn says it is shameful that in 2025, NL Nursing Students must complete an unpaid work term of up to 1300 hours. These young people have to take out loans to pay tuition while they are performing vital work in the wards and other workplaces.
Under the New Democrat plan, the NL government would implement a multi-year labour plan for our healthcare system, ending unpaid work terms and setting up NL Nursing Students to begin their careers as LPNs and RNs in the province.
“The Liberal government’s continued refusal to take the challenge seriously and give nurses the respect they deserve is undermining our healthcare system,” said Dinn.
“Today, we are calling on all parties to support our call for paid work-terms for NL Nursing Students. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing our practical, comprehensive and costed plan, which will demonstrate that we can bring an end to the travel nurse fiasco.”
IN BRIEF
Amend the Pay Equity and Transparency Act to ensure NL Nursing students no longer have to complete their work terms unpaid.
Phase out travel nursing over 4 years and redirect $14.3 million per year to compensate nursing and other students for their labour.
Make the system more sustainable by supporting the long-term placement of NL nurses in NL communities, saving the province millions on recruitment and patchwork solutions.
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