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Sask. Travel Nurse Costs Soar, Auditor Flags Concerns
24 Jun
Summary
- Saskatchewan spent $98.8 million on travel nurses in 2024, up from $2.1 million in 2019.
- The provincial auditor recommended analyzing overtime impact on permanent staff.
- Key recommendations include background checks and training for travel nurses.
A recent report from Saskatchewan's provincial auditor has detailed significant increases in the province's reliance on travel nurses. Between 2019 and 2024, annual spending on these temporary healthcare professionals surged from $2.1 million to $98.8 million. This escalation was attributed to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, new healthcare facilities, and ongoing recruitment needs.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has since focused on reducing its dependency on travel nurses, achieving a 23 percent decrease in spending for the 2024-2025 period. However, the provincial auditor, Tara Clemett, recommended a thorough analysis to understand how this reduction affects overtime for permanent nursing staff, aiming to find an optimal balance and prevent burnout.
Further recommendations from the auditor include ensuring all travel nurses undergo criminal record checks, cultural sensitivity, and safety training. The SHA is also advised to document its rationale for employing travel nurses with prior performance issues and to develop an internal pool of nurses for flexible deployment across the province, thereby decreasing reliance on external agencies.
