If you live in Saint John, you see the benefits of a recent surge in hiring in local healthcare. But look to the northern part of the province, and the picture changes completely. Recent data from the Vitalité Health Network reveals severe nursing shortages persist in northern New Brunswick.

The North and South Divide

Nearly 75 percent of vacant nursing positions within Vitalité sit in the Acadie Bathurst, Restigouche, and Northwest zones. This includes communities like Campbellton, Dalhousie, Edmundston, and Grand Falls. As of late September, the francophone network reported 130 vacant permanent nursing positions.

Vitalité CEO France Desrosiers reports the network broke recruitment records over the past three years. However, the network’s own numbers show a large portion of these new hires land in the Beausejour zone, which includes Moncton. This is the only southern health zone for Vitalité.

New Brunswick Nurses Union president Paula Doucet sees a clear imbalance in health services for patients in the north.

“Folks in the north feel like they’ve been forgotten about,” Doucet said. “There’s always been this north and south divide, but that’s the reality.”

Why the North Falls Behind

Recruiting nurses in the Restigouche region remains a particular struggle. Vitalité recruits from a limited pool of francophone candidates and faces strong competition from Quebec for French speaking healthcare professionals. The Northwest zone alone has 44 unfilled positions.

Doucet notes that nurses often stay in urban centers like Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton after finishing their studies. She also points to low morale and distrust of upper management as major barriers to retention in the north.

Recent survey results show Vitalité employees rate their experience getting recognition at work as 6.5 out of 10. Doucet considers this score generous based on stories she hears from union members.

Some nurses working for Vitalité “talk about the difficulties that they have with upper management, and the level of distrust and the level of disrespect,” Doucet said.

Horizon Health Sees Success in Saint John

While Vitalité struggles in rural northern areas, the Horizon Health Network fills positions rapidly in southern urban centers. Since January of last year, Horizon hired 1,462 nurses. During that same period, Vitalité hired 558.

Horizon hired 495 nurses right here in Saint John. The network also added 471 nurses in Fredericton, 350 in Moncton, and 146 in Miramichi. Horizon currently reports only 66 external nursing vacancies across its 12 hospitals and numerous medical facilities.

To help nurses manage heavy workloads and improve retention in all regions, Doucet believes New Brunswick needs to implement mandated nurse to patient ratios similar to recent changes in Nova Scotia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing vacancies does Vitalité have in northern New Brunswick?

Nearly 75 percent of the 130 vacant permanent nursing positions at Vitalité are located in the northern zones of Acadie Bathurst, Restigouche, and the Northwest.

Why is Vitalité struggling to hire nurses in the north?

The network faces a limited pool of francophone candidates and heavy competition from Quebec. The nurses union also cites low staff morale and a lack of trust in upper management as contributing factors.

How many nurses did Horizon Health hire in Saint John?

Horizon Health hired 495 nurses in Saint John since January of last year, contributing to a total of 1,462 new nursing hires across its network.