The Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratio (mNPR) initiative is a multi-year partnership between the Ministry of Health, BC Nurses’ Union, and health organizations across the province to strengthen nursing practice and patient care. The initiative has launched in hospital-based care settings (Phase 1), beginning with adult and pediatric inpatient units, including medical, surgical, palliative, rehabilitation, and focused care areas. Each area has a specific, evidence-informed ratio; e.g., a medical/surgical unit aligns to a1:4 ratio (one nurse to four patients), 24/7.
The mNPR team has been meeting with clinical leadership and nurses over the past five months, with 10 hospitals actively working towards mNPR implementation. Upcoming site visits include: Cowichan District Hospital (June 16-18), Victoria General Hospital (October 1-10) and the Royal Jubilee Hospital (November 3-14). Some key activities to date include engaging clinical leaders and staff nurses, confirming ratio assignments, revising staff rotations, and posting new positions. The work supports nurse recruitment and retention, with emerging trends like casual nurses moving into regular roles, and student and new graduate nurses committing to positions long-term.
The mNPR initiative is more than staffing to ratios—it’s about creating improved, more sustainable care environments. While this initiative is the first of its kind in Canada, evidence in other jurisdictions shows improved patient outcomes such as reduced mortality and shorter hospital stays, more efficient use of staffing resources, and increased nurse job satisfaction. As implementation continues through 2025, further planning is underway for future phases, including the remaining hospital care settings, before extending into community, long-term care, and non-hospital settings.
To learn more, visit the mNPR intranet page or contact the team directly at mNPR@islandhealth.ca.