Withdrawal of nursing services: strategies for survival

In recent years, nursing strikes have become more common. Within the last decade, nurses in five of our ten provinces have all taken strike action. If this trend continues, more strikes could very likely occur. Administrative nurses provide direction and leadership for the nursing department. With the prospect of a withdrawal of nursing services, they are key players in preparing for the strike. They must ensure a standard of care during the strike, as well as facilitate the return of the unionized nurses following the strike. To assist administrative nurses who may some day be involved in a withdrawal of nursing services, this manuscript contains an account of the pre-strike preparations, putting these plans into action during the strike, and the immediate post-strike period at the Plains Health Centre, a tertiary care facility in Regina, Saskatchewan.