Understanding Quebec's policy on nursing training
CMAJ 1998;159:445-6
I was surprised by the reaction to Quebec's new proposal to reduce the level of nursing training, as described in the news brief " 'Dumbing down' of Quebec RN education irks nurses, MDs," (CMAJ 1998;158[10]:1262 [full text]), by Barbara Sibbald. This proposal, which goes against the current worldwide trend to increase the level of nursing training, is perceived as being unsound, a policy that can only lead to an overall reduction in the quality of care offered to Quebecers.
However, the critics forget that this new policy is perfectly consistent with Quebec's current efforts to control health care spending. Few of those who graduate as nurses from junior college programs will find it cost-effective to complete an additional 4 years to earn a degree, to end up with only a modest increase in overall income. What better way to control health care costs than to keep absolute control over a body of minimally trained health care workers who are among the lowest paid in the world but are forever stuck in Quebec because their credentials are not transferable? Similar policies affect Quebec physicians: their training options are restricted, and they receive professional certification that is not valid outside Quebec.
Benoît Desjardins, MD, PhD
Pittsburgh, Pa.
benoit@med.pitt.edu
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