First day on the job for Eastern Health LPNs from Jamaica

A group of licensed practical nurses from Jamaica had their first day on the job Monday at the new long-term care facility in St. John's.

Eastern Health said in November it was in the process of hiring LPNs from Jamaica to fill vacancies at the Newfoundland Drive facility, in order to open more beds.

• Long-term care centre still short of staff for dozens of beds

Sonya Stanford, acting director of human resources client services with Eastern Health, said the 13 LPNs arrived to Newfoundland about a week ago, and have since been taking care of technicalities.

"Many of them came with their boots and their hats and their gloves and everything on, so that was great to see because some of them have already been to other parts of Canada before. Some have actually been to Newfoundland before," said Stanford.

"Picking them up and taking them grocery shopping. We actually had to bring them to occupational health to make sure they got their immunizations and we took them to Service Canada to get them their SINs and their MCPs."

This week, the nurses will be going over Eastern Health policies and procedures, including union regulations and clinical procedures.

Between now and March, the LPNs will do 400 hours of residency before being granted full license to practice here.

Stanford said the group visited the long-term care facility where they would be working, and it was a great success.

"The residents there, they [the nurses] actually went on a unit, and they [the residents] were waving and so happy to see them and it was just really uplifting for the group," she said.

"We're very positive that this will be excellent for our residents."

There are nine more LPNs going through the immigration process in Jamaica to come work for Eastern Health, and are expected to arrive by the end of January.