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Canada is experiencing a crisis in nursing. This is a view expressed across the country, both in the health system and among the general public. While there are many different perspectives on why this is and what the most promising solutions are, there is significant agreement that the current shortage of nurses is getting worse and that left unchecked, this situation will lead to a deterioration in the quality of the nation’s health care system.

In response to these concerns, the Conference of Deputy Ministers/Ministers of Health directed the Advisory Committee on Health Human Resources (ACHHR) to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for nursing. Recognizing the complexity of the issue, they also directed the ACCHR to ensure meaningful consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

The initial document, Towards a Nursing Strategy for Canada: A Consultation Paper for Stakeholders, was developed by the Working Group on Nursing Resources and Unregulated Health Care Workers (WGNR), a sub-committee of the Advisory Committee on Health Human Resources, in March, 2000. This initial document offered an analysis of various perceptions held by the different stakeholders in order to establish a common understanding of the complexity of the issue. Twelve strategies for action were proposed.