The report's authors are Victor Maddalena, PhD, an Associate Professor in the School of Health Services Administration at Dalhousie University and Amanda Crupi, Research Officer with the CFNU. Maddalena said he hopes the book will prompt action beyond well-meaning words and band-aids. "They know there is a problem, but we haven't been able to get any sustained action. It's going to take more than just asking nurses finishing a 12 hour shift to stay on for more overtime or begging them to stay in working conditions that are endangering their health."

CFNU President Linda Silas R.N. wants the book to inspire substantive, concrete action. "It's not enough to keep issuing think, bound study after study if employers and policy makers are still not getting the message," said Silas. "We felt we needed to present the good work that is being done to document and highlight the nursing shortage in a big-picture way so that policy-makers can really grasp what we are facing every day. We want them to understand that the evidence is in, solutions are available and it's time for comprehensive action." Silas has been calling for a collaborative pan-Canadian Health Human Resources plan involving governments, employers and health care workers.

The report can be downloaded from the CFNU website