Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jan 14/02) - For the first time in more than a year, the Iqaluit hospital is almost fully staffed with nurses.

Glenn Thompsn, executive director for the Baffin Region at the Department of Health and Social Services attributes the nearly full house to the $24,000 retention bonus introduced last July.

"It takes a while for it to make a difference," said Thompson.

The department has also stepped up recruitment efforts in Australia and in Southern Canada. Now, representatives make more frequent trips across the country to reel in prospective employees.

It also hired a recruitment and retention specialist.

The hospital, which has 45 nursing positions, is now gearing up to re-open its pediatric ward.

"We've had such a shortage at times that we've had to close the pediatric ward and restrict the number of patients at the hospital," said Thompson. "So this is wonderful."

Despite the constant revolving door of nurses, Thompson said patients get in quicker to see nurses in Iqaluit than in larger urban centres.

Bonnie Hawco is one of five nurses hired one week ago. She saw an advertisement in Canadian Nurse magazine while working for a hospital in St. John's, Nfld.

"I needed a change, big-time," she said.

The retention bonus was also an incentive.

"It was the icing on the cake," she said. "It enticed me to move."