Sent on Behalf of the Nurse-to-Patient Ratio Sub-Committee

The Nurse-to-Patient Ratio (NPR) Sub-Committee — a collaborative effort between employers, the Manitoba Government, Manitoba’s health authorities and the Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) — is working together to establish appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios. Evidence shows that implementing NPRs improves patient outcomes by reducing mortality, shortening hospital stays, and lowering readmission rates. At the same time, NPRs contribute to a more sustainable workforce by helping to reduce vacancies, decrease turnover, minimize burnout, and enhance job satisfaction among nurses.

A critical part of setting NPRs is to engage directly with nurses across Manitoba to ensure your voices are heard. Your frontline experience and professional insight are essential to shaping a Made-in-Manitoba framework that supports safe, high-quality patient care across the province. As such, the sub-committee is seeking input from nurses through a phase of surveys.

You will receive a survey to the email address you provided to MNU. If you do not receive the email, please reach out to [email protected].

The survey has four parts:

1. A voluntary section that allows us to make sure the framework accurately reflects the diverse nurses of Manitoba.
2. A general section that every nurse is encouraged to complete.
3. Unit-specific sections for those currently working in the initial focus areas: Medicine, Operating Room, In-Patient Psychiatry, and Adult Intensive Care.
4. An Expression of Interest form that allows us to follow up with nurses.

The initial four focus areas were chosen because established ratio models exist for the majority of them – giving us a strong foundation to move quickly and effectively – but every practice area matters, and every nurse’s voice is essential.

Your input will inform the work of the sub-committee and play a critical role in developing the final recommendations to the Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care; helping to ensure that the framework reflects the realities of nursing practice in Manitoba.

We value your perspective and hope you will share your experience with us before the survey closes on July 31.

Download this poster and place it in your area.