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CVICU Travel Nursing Jobs

Jobs listing, cvicu job description.

CVICU stands for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse in medical terms. Patients with potentially life-threatening heart problems receive critical treatment from a CVICU nurse. They must keep track of their patient’s progress, examine records, change bandages, manage specialized medical equipment, and communicate efficiently with doctors and other medical personnel, all the while offering compassionate care to patients and their families. A CVICU nurse is an important member of an emergency medical care team who must be able to prevent disease, assist patients in recovering from cardiac surgery, and stabilize critically injured patients using specialized abilities.

To summarize a travel Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse’s job details, we can say their duties and responsibilities are:

• Providing clinical patient care on a one-on-one basis.
• Medication administration.
• CVICU patients’ vital signs are being monitored.
• Use of heart monitors.
• Examining patients for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes.
• Use of defibrillators and restart the hearts of patients.
• Completing paperwork and keeping track of cardiac patients.

CVICU Job Requirements

Before recruiting a registered nurse to fill a travel Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nursing job, most hospitals or other healthcare organizations check for experience in their travel CVICU Nurse job candidates, and they often want hands-on and comprehensive care expertise.

Certifications and qualifications needed to apply for a cardiovascular ICU travel nurse job are:

• A two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Registered Nurses should pass the National Council Licensure
• Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX-RN.
• Certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Certification in BCLS (basic cardiac life support).
• Certification in ACLS (advanced cardiac life support).

Benefits Of Traveling With Stability Healthcare

Our Stability Healthcare recruiter will work with you to plan out various assignments in hospitals or other healthcare facilities for your travel nursing position in advance. You get the following benefits with Stability Healthcare:

Health Insurance

CVICU Travel Nurse compensation is enhanced by Stability Healthcare incentives and benefits, which are:

Day 1 Premium Insurance: Starting on the first day of your assignment, you will be covered by premium insurance (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance). $15,000 Company-paid Life/ADD Insurance.

Travel Nurse Salary & Benefits

What does a CVICU nurse earn? According to the salary website Glassdoor.com, the national average CVICU nurse salary in the United States was $72,952 in November 2019. And the future compensation prospects continue to look promising, as the average salary for CVICU nurses on Glassdoor.com has already risen from $69,270 in August 2019. Meanwhile, the salary website Payscale.com indicates that RNs with CVICU abilities earn an average hourly wage of $33.88 per hour.

Furthermore, as is the case with all travel nursing jobs, travel CVICU RNs can expect a higher salary range than similar staff health care professionals.

Yes, Travel Nurses can earn more money with various travel assignments, but the good news is that it’s not simply the money that attracts people to work as a Travel Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Nurse instead of staying on a more permanent position. With bonuses, extra shift compensation, stipends, and full benefits, travel nurses can significantly improve their earnings in a short period of time.

Stability Healthcare’s incentives and advantages help CVICU Travel Nurses earn more money. Such as the following:

• PTO for All Nurses
• Travel Reimbursement
• Referral Bonuses
• Extra Hours Bonus
• Guaranteed Stipend
• Paid Compliance Costs

Career Benefits

If you apply to position yourself as a strong candidate for a CVICU travel nurse career you will get many benefits. Stability Healthcare’s Cardiovascular ICU Travel Nurse jobs offer many benefits, such as:

• Nationwide Jobs
• Prestigious Facilities
• 401 (k) Plan
• Joint Commission Certified

Are you looking for a CVICU Travel Nursing career option? Check our   job opportunities at Stability Healthcare for more job details and start a new step in your career!

Travel Nursing Reviews

Jennifer, rn.

The response time from my recruiter and nurse specialist is amazing! They both have been so great to work with on my first assignment out in California!!! Chad and Samantha both are super caring and very responsive! I already extended my contract with the hospital because of the smooth process. They made the transition from Florida to California a lot loss stressful than I imagined. Would definitely recommend them both!!!

My recruiter, and other staff I have had the pleasure of interacting with, are all so friendly and helpful. My recruiter is responsive, and even reached out while she was on vacation to check on me! I’ve worked with other agencies in the past, but Stability is next level when it comes to making your travel nursing experience as seamless as possible! Special shout out to Lindsay (best recruiter ever) and Tracy. Amazing people to work with.

Brittany J.

My recruiter is very responsive and personable. I have NEVER had any issues with them!! This agency even has PTO! None of my co workers with other agencies have this benefit!! Also the rates are equal or higher than most other agencies!! Everything feels more like family than business and for that I would choose stability over any other agency!! I am so happy I chose to work with them!

Sopheare C.

My recruiter Amanda is amazing and always timely with her responses. Debbie who is my nurse experience specialist who is with me all times of the contract is truly awesome. Love how responsive she is and will answer any and all my questions. Big thanks to Jesse my compliance coordinator for making all the appointments and getting me travel ready. Can’t thank my team enough for all they do. Any question or issue I have they resolve right away. And I love that they breakdown each contract into a spread so you know exactly what your getting for the terms of the contract.

I have been incredibly impressed by the professionalism, ease of communication, ability to have all requirements for onboarding fulfilled in a timely manner, and just overall outstanding service. Lindsay Hernandez is my particular recruiter and she has been a pleasure to work with, as well as all the team members at Stability. I’m looking forward to staying with them for my next assignment. I highly recommend them to my nursing friends, and anyone looking to travel as a nurse!

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ICU Nurse Jobs

Find high-paying ICU nurse jobs nationwide with Aya Healthcare and take your ICU RN career to the next level. Apply now.

Jump to ICU Nurse Jobs

Brittany R., Healthcare Professional

Access ICU Nursing Jobs Nationwide

Aya Healthcare is the largest healthcare staffing agency in the nation. Over the years, we’ve helped tens of thousands of nurses find their ideal ICU nursing jobs, and we’d love to help you, too! Are you looking for ICU travel nurse jobs? Or perhaps permanent or per diem ICU nurse jobs near you? Whatever you’re looking for, Aya Healthcare has ICU nurse job openings for your next career step.

First time searching for ICU nursing jobs with Aya? Don’t sweat it! Our extensive team of recruiting, credentialing, staffing, payroll, clinical and clinician experience experts is the best in the industry. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you as you find the perfect ICU nurse job.

Employment Types For ICU RNs

Featured nationwide icu rn jobs.

Browse All ICU RN Jobs Now

I can't say enough about the company or my recruiter! The application process is organized and transparent. They provide clear instructions for every step of the process. The level of communication is excellent. Rafik M. ICU RN

What ICU travel nurse jobs are available?

Take your skills on the road, develop your talents and gain vital experience while meeting new people, exploring new places and making a positive impact across the nation.

Aya Healthcare offers ICU travel nursing jobs nationwide — including exclusive assignments only available for Aya Healthcare travelers. As an ICU travel nurse, you’ll gain access to the largest job database in the industry, travel resources and your very own team of recruiting, credentialing, payroll and travel experience experts to assist you anytime you need.

Finding ICU travel nursing jobs with Aya Healthcare is super easy, too! Just complete your profile, then search for ICU nurse job openings and express interest with just one click. Plus, you can use filters to set specific parameters, then save your search and receive alerts when matching jobs become available. From there, we’ll help you land a job you’re interested in. Our team can even help expedite the licensing process and streamline all compliance requirements, making sure you’re ready to start on time.

Aya Healthcare also offers an array of benefits for ICU travel nurse jobs, including a 401(k) plan (once eligible), competitive ICU travel nurse salary, insurance options, free CEUs and more. We’ll even send you pizza if you’re working on your birthday. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up with Aya and start searching for ICU travel nursing jobs today!

How can I find permanent ICU jobs?

Settle down without settling with a permanent position at a leading hospital or healthcare organization.

Aya Healthcare is more than an agency for travel nurses. As the largest healthcare staffing agency, we have strong, established relationships with the top hospitals and healthcare organizations nationwide. If you’re ready to put down roots somewhere, our team of industry-leading recruiters can help you find permanent ICU nurse jobs near you and help you secure an offer faster than if you did it yourself.

Finding jobs on intensive care nursing units is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Just complete your profile and application, filter your search for permanent positions and once you click “I’m Interested” a recruiter will contact you to discuss your ideal position. Your recruiter will assist you through the entire recruitment process, from coordinating interviews for permanent ICU nurse jobs near you to helping you prepare for your first day on the job. As your #1 fan, your recruiter will support, advocate and assist you with anything you need.

Aya Healthcare’s recruitment team is the most experienced in the industry. Here are just a few things they can do to help as you search for permanent ICU nursing jobs near you:

• Prepare you for interviews.
• Provide resume advice to perfectly capture your professional experience.
• Work with the facility hiring teams to ensure your application is their #1 priority.
• Gather immediate interview feedback.
• Facilitate salary negotiation.
• Secure offer decisions.

Ready to find your next job as an intensive care nurse? Meet with a recruiter and start your journey today!

What per diem ICU nurse jobs are available?

Take control of your career with per diem opportunities that enable you to work when and where you want, improve your professional skills, supplement your income and more!

Aya empowers ICU nurses to take control of their careers with front-of-the-line access to per diem ICU nurse jobs — including exclusive ICU PRN jobs only available through Aya Healthcare. If flexible work hours and weekly paychecks sound like your cup of tea, then sign up today to find ICU nurse positions near you.

To get started with per diem, complete your profile and search for ICU nurse job openings near you. You can express interest in a job with just one click, and our team will take care of the rest — keeping you updated on any compliance or credentialing requirements. We’ll even schedule mandatory labs or orientation meetings before your first day on the job.

With Aya Healthcare, you can work as many per diem shifts as you want. You can even add extra shifts during a travel assignment and manage your per diem schedule through our mobile app, Shifts. We also offer a variety of perks, including competitive pay, weekly payments every Friday, a 401(k) plan and accrued sick time.

Sign up today to find ICU nurse jobs near you!

What Factors Can Influence A Permanent ICU Nurse Salary?

ICU travel nurse salary, per diem ICU nurse salary and permanent ICU nurse salary all differ and often vary from state to state and even from facility to facility. At Aya Healthcare, we understand you’re a hard-working intensive care nurse who wants to optimize your pay. That’s why we strive to offer ICU nursing jobs with the most competitive rates in the industry.

When looking at ICU nurse job openings, it’s also important to consider the benefits offered in addition to your weekly pay. Aya Healthcare offers myriad benefits for different contracts, and facilities offer their own unique benefits for permanent ICU nursing jobs. Knowing the benefits a position provides can help you make an informed decision as to whether or not you would like to apply for it.

Additionally, top-paying regions frequently change. Because you choose where to work with Aya Healthcare, you can keep yourself updated on the highest paying regions and express interest for positions that offer a competitive ICU nurse salary.

Ready to find ICU nurse jobs that match your personal and professional goals?

Browse ICU nursing jobs, view pay and facility information and express interest with just one click.

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What Does it Take to Navigate CVICU Travel Nurse Roles Like a Pro?

Table of Contents

The world of CVICU travel nursing is both challenging and gratifying. Akin to other travel nurse roles, CVICU travel nurses go where they're needed the most to provide specialized care for critically ill patients. But what unique skills and expertise are required in this position? And what can new travel nurses expect as they step into a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)? In this in-depth article, we will explore the answers to these questions and many more, shedding light on the demands and responsibilities associated with the CVICU travel nurse profession.

What are CVICU Travel Nurse Responsibilities?

CVICU travel nurses have a vital role caring for critically ill patients in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU). Their main responsibilities include closely monitoring cardiac patients who have undergone major heart surgery, managing ventilation, titrating vasoactive IV medications, and intervening during cardiac emergencies.

CVICU travel nurses must have advanced skills in hemodynamic monitoring, interpreting EKGs, identifying arrhythmias, operating specialized equipment like ventricular assist devices, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and CRRT. They must also have expertise in post-op bleeding, chest tubes, epicardial pacing, titrating pressors, and managing ventilation after cardiac surgery.

Communication is key, as CVICU travel nurses must effectively relay important patient information during handoff reporting. They must also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including physicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and nurse techs.

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What Types of Patients Do CVICU Travel Nurses Care For?

CVICU travel nurses care for patients recovering from major cardiovascular and thoracic surgeries including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair/replacement, heart transplants, ventricular assist device implantation, and aortic aneurysm repair.

They also care for medical cardiology patients admitted for myocardial infarction, CHF exacerbation, hypertensive crisis, cardiogenic shock, or dysrhythmia. These patients often require titration of inotropes and vasopressors to improve cardiac output.

Additionally, CVICU travel nurses care for patients with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery or due to fluid overload states like CHF.

How Do CVICU Nurses Handle Decreased Cardiac Output in Patients?

A major responsibility of CVICU nurses is managing decreased cardiac output and signs of shock in postoperative and medical cardiology patients.

They monitor hemodynamics through arterial lines, CVP, and Swan Ganz catheters. At the first sign of decreasing BP, CI, and SVR, they intervene to improve perfusion.

This involves administering IV fluid boluses, titrating inotropes like dobutamine and milrinone, and adding vasopressors like norepinephrine to increase systemic vascular resistance. They also monitor electrolytes closely.

What Expertise is Required in Managing Ventricular Assist Devices?

As more patients receive ventricular assist devices (VADs), CVICU nurses must have specialized expertise in managing these complex mechanical support systems.

They must understand the physiology and mechanics behind VADs and know how to troubleshoot alarms and malfunctions. This requires advanced technical skills and critical thinking.

CVICU nurses monitor VAD parameters including flow, RPM, power, and pulsatility index. They assess for right heart failure and manage anticoagulation. Collaboration with VAD coordinators is essential.

What is the Role of a CVICU Travel Nurse in a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit?

CVICU travel nurses play a crucial frontline role caring for the most critically ill cardiac patients during their stay in the cardiovascular ICU. They must have advanced assessment skills, critical thinking, and rapid response capabilities.

Their key responsibilities are managing hemodynamics using arterial line monitoring, assessing oxygenation/ventilation status via ABGs, delivering specialized post-op care, and intervening during cardiopulmonary crises.

CVICU travel nurses also provide compassionate end-of-life care for patients not expected to recover from cardiac events or surgeries despite intensive treatment.

How Crucial is the Role of a CVICU Travel Nurse in a Cardiac ICU?

The role of a CVICU travel nurse is extremely crucial. Patients in a cardiac ICU are often profoundly ill and unstable, requiring close monitoring and rapid treatment. The complex care needs demand highly skilled ICU nurses at all times.

As temporary staff, travel nurses must ensure no break in optimal care delivery. Their specialized skills and experience bridge gaps in staffing without compromising quality of care for vulnerable cardiac patients.

The support of expert travel nurses allows the cardiac ICU to function seamlessly despite periods of increased patient volumes or staffing shortages.

What are the Key Duties of an ICU Nurse in a Cardiac Surgery?

ICU nurses play a pivotal role during all phases of cardiac surgery, from pre-op to post-op care. Key duties include pre-op patient education, intraoperative care coordination, and vigilant post-op monitoring for complications.

They manage ventilation, chest tubes, epicardial pacing wires, arterial lines, and hemodynamic instabilities like bleeding, arrhythmias, tamponade, and low cardiac output syndrome. Pain control and early mobility are also crucial.

Clear communication facilitates smooth handoffs between OR, CVICU, step-down units, and floor nurses during the patient's post-op course.

How do Travel Nursing in CVICU Handle Arterial Pressure and Heart Failure?

Maintaining adequate arterial pressure and cardiac output is vital in CVICU patients with heart failure. ICU nurses use invasive arterial line monitoring to track real-time BP trends.

They administer IV fluids and vasoactive drips like norepinephrine to increase blood pressure in hypotensive patients. However, they must also avoid fluid overload that could worsen heart failure.

ICU nurses trend labs like BNP to gauge severity of HF. They monitor for pulmonary edema and hypoxemia. Providing excellent CHF education prepares patients for discharge.

What to Expect in CVICU Travel Nurse Jobs?

Cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) travel nursing jobs provide a unique opportunity for registered nurses to gain experience caring for critically ill cardiac patients. As a travel nurse in the CVICU, you can expect to work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, respiratory therapists, and other specialists, to provide around-the-clock care to patients recovering from cardiac surgery, experiencing heart failure, or facing other cardiac crises.

A typical shift in the CVICU may involve caring for 2-3 patients at a time, monitoring hemodynamic parameters, titrating medications like vasodilators and inotropes to optimize cardiac output, assessing chest tubes, and intervening quickly when a patient's condition changes. You'll also provide post-op care for patients following open heart surgery, valve replacements, aneurysm repair, and other cardiac procedures.

As a CVICU travel nurse, you can expect to frequently perform skills like EKGs, manage ventricular assist devices, draw ABGs, maintain arterial and central venous pressure monitoring, and respond to codes and rapid responses. Communication with the cardiologist and family is key. The pace can be fast-paced and stressful, but also extremely rewarding.

Do Travel Nurse Jobs Require Previous Travel Experience?

Most travel nursing jobs do not require previous travel experience. As long as you have at least one year of experience in your specialty—in this case, CVICU nursing—you can qualify for travel assignments as a new traveler without prior travel nurse experience.

That said, having previous travel nursing experience under your belt can make you more confident in navigating new assignments, housing, and contracts. Many novice travel nurses complete one or two local contracts close to home before venturing farther afield for their first travel assignment.

Consider getting your feet wet with a 13-week CVICU travel assignment nearby before committing to longer contracts out-of-state. This allows you to gain that crucial first travel experience without getting in over your head.

How is the Job Outlook for CVICU Travel Nursing Jobs?

The job outlook for CVICU travel nursing positions is very promising nationwide. An aging population with high rates of cardiac disease has driven up demand for qualified CVICU nurses and intensivists in hospitals across the country.

Temporary staffing shortages due to nurses leaving the bedside have also increased reliance on travel nurses to fill gaps. Travel nurses provide crucial flexibility as patient volumes and hospital needs fluctuate.

In addition, CVICU specialists are always in high demand. Not all ICU nurses have the specialized cardiovascular training and experience required to succeed in the CVICU. Assignments typically offer high pay packages and bonuses to attract the best CVICU travel talent.

What's the Procedure for a Staffing Request in CVICU Travel Nurse Jobs?

The procedure for fulfillling a staffing request as a travel nurse will vary based on your agency, but generally involves matching your skills and experience to short-term needs at client hospitals.

You'll communicate your preferences and credentials to your recruiter. When a client hospital communicates an urgent staffing need, the recruiter will immediately begin sourcing a qualified candidate from their existing pool of travel nurses.

If you're a match, you'll be contacted about the assignment. After reviewing the details and interviewing, you can accept or decline the position. Your recruiter will then handle onboarding details like drug screening, background checks, and hospital orientation.

How to Succeed in CVICU Travel Nurse Roles?

How important is cvicu experience for a travel nurse.

Solid CVICU experience is extremely important for travel nurses hoping to succeed in specialized CVICU assignments. Hospitals depend on travel nurses to fill gaps seamlessly, so they look for candidates with proven competence in the skills, technology, and procedures specific to the CVICU.

At minimum, aim for 2-3 years of recent bedside CVICU experience in a Level I trauma center or large academic medical center where you cared for open hearts, cardiac surgery, balloons, impellas, ventricular assist devices, and other advanced cardiac treatments.

The more CVICU exposure you gain before traveling, the better prepared you'll be to hit the ground running at new hospitals and make a good first impression on your new team.

What Should a CVICU Travel Nurse Know About Central Line and Chest Tubes?

Central lines and chest tubes are ubiquitous in the CVICU, so travel nurses should arrive with extensive knowledge and familiarity with these devices.

Ensure you're well-versed in central line care and maintenance, including site assessment, dressing changes, blood draws, discontinuation, and infection prevention. Know how to troubleshoot issues like a slipped cuff or identify signs of CLABSI.

Similarly, arrive ready to proficiently monitor chest tubes, maintain pleurovac canisters, identify complications, strip and milk chest tubes, and collaborate with surgeons regarding removal. These are fundamental skills for CVICU travel nurses.

How can ICU Travel RN Enhance their Rapid Response Skills for CVICU Roles?

Given the potential for sudden changes in cardiac patients' conditions, rapid response is a critical skill for CVICU travel nurses to hone. Take every opportunity to participate in codes and rapid responses at your permanent job to gain experience.

Also, seek out additional BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications. Attend in-services on identifying early signs of patient decline. Study best practices for effective emergency communication and documentation.

Mentor junior nurses on your unit and share your rapid response expertise. By cementing yourself as a code leader, you'll be far better prepared to handle crisis situations calmly and confidently as a traveler.

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MLAs make one last bid for inquiry into travel-nurse contracts

Committee asks auditor general to use inquiry powers in new probe of costly agreements.

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The New Brunswick Legislature's public accounts committee is making one last push to ensure a public inquiry is held into expensive travel-nurse contracts.

MLAs from all three parties voted Tuesday to ask Auditor General Paul Martin to probe further into the agreement, using powers under the Inquiries Act to summon witnesses and compel them to produce documents.

"We have seen an erosion of accountability to the taxpayer, and that's my biggest concern here," Progressive Conservative MLA Dorothy Shephard said in an interview after Tuesday's meeting of the committee.

Shephard, a former minister of health and social development, introduced the motion, which the committee passed without any objections.

MLAs renew call for inquiry into travel nurse contracts

It asks Martin to use the powers he has to act as a commissioner of inquiry, which would give him more authority to demand co-operation from witnesses than in his regular audits.

In a statement, Martin said he and his staff hold the public accounts committee "in high regard and support their mission to scrutinize public expenditures.

"Our office will be taking time to carefully review this motion and decide on next steps."

Martin's performance audit of the travel-nurse contracts was released last month and found a lack of due diligence in some of the $173 million worth of contracts with private companies providing travel nurses to the province.

That prompted the committee to hold three days of hearings in June where Dr. France Desrosiers, CEO of the Vitalité Health Network, said a deputy minister gave her "the green light" to sign the contracts despite warnings they could cost tens of millions of dollars. 

Desrosiers also said her team offered the province other options that would have cost less, an assertion Premier Blaine Higgs disputed.

• Health minister questions need for travel-nurse inquiry
• N.B. defends costly use of travel nurses as 'necessary at the time'

In June, at what was supposed to be its last meeting before this fall's election, the committee asked the government to call an inquiry but that was rejected.

"You're going to have two versions of what happened and people may still not be convinced that their version isn't the correct version," Health Minister Bruce Fitch said last month.

"Would it be a worthwhile effort?"

Shephard said at Tuesday's meeting that her main concern about the contracts is "the lack of engagement of elected officials, whose responsibility to the electorate is paramount." 

Vitalité remains locked in a contract with Canadian Health Labs until February 2026, and the agreement can be automatically renewed if the company meets certain bilingual-service targets.

"Clearly, money is still being spent and cheques are still being written," Shephard said. "We have no assurances the problem will be fixed."

Opposition MLAs on the committee supported her motion for an inquiry.

• 'Process failed' in travel-nurse contracts, former PC health minister says
• Vitalité CEO says top health official gave 'green light' to travel-nurse contracts

"This is the best tool we can have," said Liberal MLA Benoit Bourque, another former health minister.

Green Leader David Coon said the last time an auditor general used inquiry powers, it led to a "great report" on the Atcon loan fiasco, which he said prompted changes in process and in the political culture.

"As a result, we've never seen such a situation occur again in this province," he said.

Earlier this month, the New Brunswick Nurses Union also asked for an inquiry.

Shephard and two of the other three PC MLAs at Tuesday's meeting are not re-offering in the election.

Shephard told the committee she has seen an erosion of respect for the legislature's oversight role and a centralization of decision-making during her 14 years as an MLA.

Under the New Brunswick Legislature's standing rules, the public accounts committee doesn't have the power to call witnesses unless it gets the approval of the full legislature.

Shephard said she would like to see that change, but for now, the committee can only tell the auditor general that it wants him to "go as far as he needs to" to get answers.

"This is the power we have to go further into the questioning of people who respond to the public accounts committee," she said.

An inquiry would be unlikely to take place or produce a report before the provincial election scheduled for Oct. 21.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

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New Brunswick legislators want further Auditor-General investigation into travel nursing contracts

Georges L Dumont public hospital in Moncton, N.B., on Oct. 8, 2020. Marc Grandmaison/The Canadian Press

A New Brunswick legislative public accounts committee took one last shot at pushing for a public inquiry into expensive travel nurse contracts after the province refused to establish one last month.

Saint John Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shephard made a motion Tuesday to ask New Brunswick Auditor-General Paul Martin to dig deeper into the province’s contracts with private nursing agencies by using powers under the Inquiries Act to summon witnesses under oath and obtain documents. The motion was unanimously supported by MLAs from all three parties.

Mr. Martin, whose recent report found exorbitant fees, questionable billing and lack of oversight with those contracts, which have cost taxpayers $173-million, hasn’t yet determined whether to call a public inquiry.

“An inquiry gives us more than we have now. And right now we have many unanswered questions,” said Ms. Shephard, who abruptly resigned from Premier Blaine Higgs’s cabinet last year, though she remains in the Progressive Conservative caucus.

“I believe an inquiry will reveal gaps that future policy or legislation could correct.”

Much of Mr. Martin’s report focused on contracts between the Vitalité Health Network, which runs the province’s francophone public medical services, and Toronto-based Canadian Health Labs, which supplies temporary health care staff, also known as travel nurses, from other parts of the country to places that are short-handed – a booming industry owing to the pandemic.

The practices of CHL triggered reviews by auditors-general in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador after a Globe and Mail investigation into the contracts was published in February.

Last month, the public accounts committee requested the province launch a public inquiry – a call that was echoed by the New Brunswick Federation of Labour and the New Brunswick Nurses Union – but was denied by the chief clerk of the executive council, Cheryl Hansen, who told members that there had already been an inquiry into the issue.

“I respectfully disagree,” Ms. Shephard said Tuesday. “I believe we do not have a complete picture of what happened. I believe the public does not accept we know as much as we could know.”

She said travel nurse contracts , particularly those with CHL, were heavily weighted to be beneficial to the vendor in ways that seem extreme. After examining the Auditor-General’s report and noting his frustration at the lack of documentation and information provided by Vitalité and CHL, and hearing him say his office was looking into whether it could investigate further, she decided to make the motion at a public accounts committee meeting.

Travel nurse contracts have been effective since Jan. 1, 2022 and do not end until February, 2026.

Ms. Shephard, a former minister for the Department of Social Development, which was responsible for some of the travel nurse contracts, also noted that the department signed ones worth almost $3-million without cabinet approval. Any amount over half a million must be signed off on by elected officials, she added.

She said she was also troubled that a 2017 auditor-general report highlighted several procurement concerns in the department.

Mr. Martin, the Auditor-General, released a statement after Tuesday’s meeting, saying he holds the committee in high regard and supports its mission to scrutinize public expenditures.

“Our office will be taking time to carefully review this motion and decide on next steps,” the statement says.

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