Maplewood’s nurse hiring struggles over
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 -- Craig Anderson
Considering the thin number of registered nurses in the Brighton community, Deb Skeaff knew that meeting the Ministry’s 24 hour nursing standards deadline would be difficult.

The Maplewood director of care placed ads everywhere – the local newspaper, OMNIway website, government websites, and with the Ontario long term care association – but little response was forthcoming.

Undaunted by the scant number of replies, Deb chose the word of mouth route. This tactic proved to be most successful, and four months past the August 1st deadline the 49 bed home has hired three veteran registered nurses, two with over twenty years of experience.

“Fortunately the Ministry wasn’t hounding us,” says Deb.

Homes were given leeway with the deadline – which requires all long term care homes to have an RN on staff for 24 hours a day (http://www.omni-way.com/News/2005/August/August22a.htm) – provided they showed diligence in the hiring effort.

“I phoned everyone I could think of,” says Deb. Eventually, Deb discovered a nurse – Deborah Mayhew - through a resident’s daughter who was working in acute care at Quinte Memorial Hospital. Deborah brings nine years of experience to Maplewood and recently held a director of care portfolio.

Deb drew upon her own history hiring Heather Curtis, a one-time colleague at Warkworth Prison with over thirty years experience

“I did my own time there for four years as well,” jokes Deb.

Cindy Sinclair, who has twenty-four years of experience, was hired part time through the local newspaper.

Deb feels the biggest attractor to long term care, and OMNI in particular, is the educational advancement it offers. Deb became director of care after six years with OMNI, a position achieved through on the job training and consistent in-service attendance.

“It’s a challenge for nurses - you work hard in long-term care. You’re often in charge of 49 residents – which is a big responsibility. You have to be willing to accept it and feel confident with that responsibility.”