ARNM Hosts Second Legislature Day to Launch National Nursing Week
Left to right: Abbie Kawadza, Victoria Charski, Joyce Kristjansson, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care Uzoma Asagwara, Shellie Anderson.
The Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba (ARNM) proudly kicked off National Nursing Week 2025 with our second Legislature Day, held at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Monday, May 12. Members of ARNM’s Advocacy Committee and Board of Directors - including Victoria Charski, Abbie Kawadza, Shellie Anderson, Pam Scheveck, Sherri Dyck, Tracey McCulloch, and Joyce Kristjansson - met with elected officials from both the PC and NDP caucuses to deliver member-driven recommendations and strengthen our ongoing partnership with government.
As part of the day’s celebrations, ARNM was honoured to be recognized in the Legislature alongside all Manitoba nurses for National Nursing Week. Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Uzoma Asagwara, PC Health Critic MLA Kathleen Cook, and MLA Cindy Lamoureux each rose to speak to the essential role nurses play in our health system and society. Their remarks echoed a common message: nurses are central to the well-being of Manitobans, and their voices must be heard in shaping the future of health care.
Throughout the day, ARNM representatives met with MLAs across party lines to discuss practical, frontline-informed solutions to Manitoba’s ongoing health workforce challenges. These conversations focused on three top recommendations identified by ARNM members:
- Future Ready Care and Recruitment of Nurse Practitioners
- Enhancing Nurse Retention by Strengthening Supports
- Nurses as Key Contributors to Solutions
Recruitment and retention of health-care professionals continues to pose a significant challenge in Manitoba and globally. By investing in nursing, our province can fill critical gaps that threaten the health and well-being of our communities. Over the past year, we’ve seen promising signs of collaboration and mutual respect between the provincial government and the nursing profession. Initiatives like the Health-Care Listening Tour and the creation of the Premier’s Advisor on Nursing Culture & Safety demonstrate a willingness to listen to nurses lived experiences and implement their recommendations.
The 2025 provincial budget reflected this momentum, including key commitments ARNM and our members have long advocated for: a continued focus on nurse recruitment and retention, expanded Manitoba Student Loans, and improved access to primary care. While these are important steps forward, work remains to close the persistent gaps in our health-care system.
ARNM remains committed to working with government to co-create solutions rooted in the experiences and insights of nurses across Manitoba. Together, we can create a more sustainable, supportive, and effective health-care system for all.
YOU CAN READ AND DOWNLOAD THE FULL DOCUMENT HERE
YOU CAN VIEW ALL THE PICTURES HERE
Stay tuned to our social media channels throughout the week for more National Nursing Week updates and celebrations!