At least one nurse recently recruited to the Sackville Memorial Hospital has instead accepted a position at another Horizon facility, and the reason is a lack of places to live in Sackville. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Horizon Health declined an interview request, but Moncton and Sackville hospital director Christa Wheeler-Thorne confirmed the news in an emailed statement this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are aware one of our recent nursing hires was unable to accept a position in Sackville, citing a lack of available housing, and has since accepted a position at one of our other facilities,\u201d writes Wheeler-Thorne. \u201cA combination of low housing inventory and record high real estate prices are creating significant challenges across New Brunswick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wheeler-Thorne says Horizon is, \u201ccontinuing to work with community stakeholders in the Sackville area to identify potential housing opportunities that might be available for health care workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another new recruit who first spoke to CHMA in March has also been unable find local housing. Justine Graham says that despite efforts from local people helping her search, she was in the end unable to find a suitable place for her and her partner. But she has opted to keep her position at Sackville Memorial Hospital and make the daily commute from Moncton. Graham will start her position in June as a newly graduated RN. She has worked previously at Sackville Memorial as an LPN before signing up for UNB\u2019s bridging program, which allows LPNs a shorter path to becoming an RN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n