Nursing resources to be increased across northern Alberta

HIGH LEVEL – A new pilot project aims to increase nursing resources throughout northern Alberta by inviting registered nurses to choose temporary assignments – or locums – in various practice settings, including emergency, obstetrics, acute care and continuing care.

The program – the first of its kind in Canada – is made possible by an agreement between Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), and will allow registered nurses to explore new opportunities by substituting for other registered nurses on a temporary basis in communities including Fort Vermilion, La Crete, High Level, Paddle Prairie and Rainbow Lake.

“The goal of the Nursing Locum Pilot Project is to ensure we have additional nurses to support those already caring for patients and families in northern Alberta,” says Deb Gordon, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing and Health Professions Officer, Health Professions Strategy and Practice.

“Our success depends on attracting registered nurses to participate.” “The benefits of this agreement will be seen in better health care delivery throughout northern Alberta,” says UNA Second Vice President Jane Sustrik. “We’re pleased that AHS and UNA were able to work together to jointly develop this unique program.”

Shelly Pusch, AHS Senior Vice President for the North Zone, says the program will ensure a pool of registered nurses is available to provide care when and where it’s needed, especially in communities that experience difficulty recruiting health professionals. “We hope registered nurses find this an exciting practice opportunity that gives them the ability to work as much or as little as they want, in a variety of communities and acute care settings,” Pusch says.

There will be significant benefits for nurses who participate in the locums and also for those who already work for AHS in the north. AHS and UNA have agreed to begin negotiations for other communities throughout Alberta that experience difficulty recruiting nurses. AHS postings for locum opportunities can be viewed at www.healthjobs.ab.ca.

United Nurses of Alberta is the union of more than 25,000 of Alberta’s registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, student nurses and allied personnel. 


Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.