Representatives from the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) are urging Kamloops City Council to take an active role in helping solve the city’s health care staffing crisis, saying nurses are burned out, overworked, and in many cases, thinking of leaving the profession.

Julie Bodden, BCNU’s lobby coordinator for the Thompson North Okanagan region, appeared before council this week alongside other union leaders to press for local action—especially in supporting the implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and improving quality-of-life factors like affordable housing, childcare, transit, and hospital parking.

“We need help making Kamloops a community where nurses can live, work, and raise families,” Bodden said. “Ratios are one part of it. But we also need support outside the hospital.”

Parking Problems Add to Nurse Stress

One of the biggest local concerns, Bodden said, is the lack of safe and accessible parking near Royal Inland Hospital.

“Nurses are often walking to their vehicles in the dark, after 12-hour shifts, in areas they don’t feel safe in,” she told councillors. “There’s limited parking, and what’s there doesn’t always feel secure.”

Some hospital staff have reported being followed or harassed near hospital lots, while others struggle to find nearby spaces at all. Security is also not allowed to leave the hospital in order to escort hospital staff to their vehicles, leaving many feeling vulnerable.

Public transit, Bodden noted, isn’t a reliable alternative for many nurses, especially those who work late shifts or live off major routes.

When asked about short-term solutions, Bodden suggested that increased security presence in parking areas could provide immediate relief.

“We’re not asking for miracles—just basic safety,” she said. “Even a more visible security presence could make a big difference for staff coming and going at all hours.”

Ratios Work — But Conditions Must Support Them

The BCNU is pushing for province-wide implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, pointing to successful examples in California and Australia, where improved staffing led to better retention, fewer injuries, and better patient outcomes.

Bodden stressed that while the provincial government has committed funding and new initiatives—including recruitment incentives and tuition credits—these measures won’t be enough without local support.

“We need affordable housing, we need childcare, and yes, we need safe, accessible parking,” she said. “Those aren’t just lifestyle perks—they’re what keep people in the profession.”

Councillors Engage on Key Issues

Council members were engaged throughout the presentation, asking questions about nurse training programs, local retention, and specific community supports.

Councillor Katie Neustaeter expressed frustration that a recent grant proposal for a healthcare-prioritized daycare was rejected by the province, despite being supported by the City and Interior Health.

“We were tremendously disappointed,” Neustaeter said. “It was a strong proposal.”

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson asked about the state of public transit and possible interim parking solutions. Councillor Dale Bass said she would be bringing forward a motion focused on healthcare-accessible childcare.

A Call for Partnership

Bodden closed her remarks by calling on council to be advocates for nurses at all levels of government and to help educate the public about the challenges in local health care.

“We want to stay in this community. We want to care for our neighbours. But we need your help,” she said. “This is about keeping nurses here—and keeping health care sustainable in Kamloops.”