Saskatchewan Union of Nurses

01/29/2026

Connecting with nursing students is always uplifting!

SUN President Bryce Boynton and First Vice President Denise Dick attended the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) National Conference in Saskatoon. Bryce spoke about the value of collectivism and solidarity and participated in a panel on the importance of early engagement with your nursing union when transitioning from student to practice.

Denise was on the ground throughout the conference, answering questions and helping students learn more about what it means to be a SUN member.

01/28/2026

01/26/2026

In Minneapolis, a nurse was shot and killed while trying to protect others. We stand with Alex’s loved ones and all healthcare workers pushing for peace and policy change.

The CFNU will be joining our colleagues at the National Nurses United in the U.S. for a candlelight vigil in spirit, virtually or by simply lighting a candle in our homes.
Wednesday, January 28th | 7:30pm CST
https://nursesunions.ca/statement-on-the-killing-of.../

Global Nurses United Minnesota Nurses Association

In Minneapolis, a nurse was shot and killed while trying to protect others. We stand with Alex’s loved ones and all healthcare workers pushing for peace and policy change.

The CFNU will be joining our colleagues at the National Nurses United in the U.S. for a candlelight vigil in spirit, virtually or by simply lighting a candle in our homes.

Wednesday, January 28th | 7:30pm CST

https://nursesunions.ca/statement-on-the-killing-of-minnesota-nurse-alex-pretti/



Global Nurses United Minnesota Nurses Association

01/21/2026

Please read our statement on ER safety and metal detectors.

We’re relieved. Registered nurses, health care workers, and patients in Regina and Saskatoon will now have access to metal detectors as an added layer of safety. This is a step forward, and we genuinely welcome it.

Metal detectors are being installed at only eight entrances. Hospitals have multiple access points, internal hallways, and care areas that remain unchecked.

Metal detectors stop weapons but do not stop violence.

Violence in emergency departments takes many forms. Registered nurses experience verbal abuse, sexual harassment, threats, and physical assaults including punching, kicking, and biting. That kind of violence does not set off a metal detector.

Violence usually happens after people are already inside, during long waits, in crowded hallways, or when a registered nurse is left alone with a patient in crisis. Metal detectors can help at the door, but they cannot prevent someone from assaulting a registered nurse behind a curtain at three in the morning.

Real safety comes from layers. That means visible and properly resourced security staff, never leaving registered nurses alone with violent patients, supported by security cameras, charting systems to flag violent patients, and safe staffing levels. It also means addressing overcrowding and long wait times because hallway nursing and long waits increase frustration and risk.

This is not radical. No police service, airport, or courthouse relies on a single measure and calls it done. Safety works in layers.

Violence is happening across Saskatchewan, including rural and remote facilities with little or no security. Registered nurses care for us when our child has an asthma attack, when our parents arrive at the ER in the middle of the night, or when someone we love is seriously ill. They are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, grandparents, and neighbours. They deserve to come home safe.

We welcome metal detectors as a first step. But protecting patients, families, and the registered nurses we rely on every day requires more than equipment. We should not have to wait for a tragedy to finish the job.

Image source: Saskatoon Star Phoenix

01/13/2026

“They’ve done an excellent job highlighting some initiatives that need to occur in this letter, and I 100 per cent support their asks in this letter.”

In speaking with Saskatchewan’s media yesterday, SUN president, Bryce Boynton, renewed the urgent call for action on violence in health care.

The letter, sent to the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) CEO Andrew Will and signed by nearly 200 workers and allies of St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, highlights initiatives health-care workers want to see addressed by the health authority and provincial government such as an urgent meeting with authorities and safety protocols such as bag searches and metal detectors at the hospital.

Sources: CKOM 650, Global News Saskatoon, CTV Saskatoon

12/19/2025

Happy Holidays! 🎄✨
Thank you to nurses across the province for your dedication, compassion, and hard work all year long. Your care makes a difference every day.

12/18/2025

SUN is proud to once again support Food Banks of Saskatchewan this holiday season 🤍 Access to nutritious food plays a vital role in overall health and well-being. Together, we can help strengthen our communities and support those who need it most.

12/15/2025

Swipe left to read just a small sample of what came in over the weekend. Violence against nurses is occurring EVERYWHERE in the system and province.

Bryce Boynton and SUN’s leadership team met with the SHA on Friday, December 12, to once again stress the urgency of the situation.

SUN is calling on the Saskatchewan Health Authority to implement several measures, including installing metal detectors at public entrances, adding security cameras, increasing on-site security, ensuring patients are searched before entering emergency departments, and allowing nurses to flag patient charts for prior incidents involving weapons or violence.

“In our recent survey this fall, nearly 70 per cent of SUN members reported experiencing violence in their workplace within the past 12 months. That’s more than two-thirds of nurses in this province,”

Boynton said the findings are based on a survey of more than 1,800 union members, adding the union’s office receives daily reports from nurses about unsafe working conditions and violence.

12/12/2025

Please take a listen to Bryce’s latest president’s check-in. It’s been a very busy fall and there is a lot to report. And, as always, please reach out anytime with your ideas and feedback.

12/12/2025

Yesterday, the following letter was sent to government calling for urgent action to end violence against nurses. This afternoon, SUN will meet with SHA leadership to discuss this critical issue and outline our clear calls for action. There is no place for violence in health care – ever.

** In light of yesterday’s cabinet shuffle, this same letter will also be sent to Saskatchewan’s new Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, Ken Cheveldayoff.

12/11/2025

Violence at Regina General’s Emergency Department demonstrates just how pervasive this dangerous situation is for registered nurses and health teams. 1 in 10 Work Situation Reports in 2025 were related to violence and safety issues members faced – that’s 118 this year alone. We know it’s happening everywhere. Please share your story with YourVoice@SUN-nurses.sk.ca. Tomorrow, SUN meets with SHA leadership, where will once again call for immediate action.

Here’s what we have advocated for:

• Install metal detectors at all public entrances to prevent weapons from entering hospital grounds.
• Install additional security cameras for monitoring.
• Provide additional security to monitor and assist medical staff.
• Implement a policy to ensure patients are searched adequately before being admitted to the Emergency department.
• Allow a mechanism for nurses to flag patient charts for previous weapons or violence against staff.

12/09/2025

SUN President Bryce Boynton addressed the media about St. Paul's Hospital this week to make our position clear: violence is NOT a part of nursing and is NOT acceptable in a healthcare setting.

Sources: CBC Saskatchewan, CTV Saskatoon, Global Saskatoon