Wages have been raised for PSW’s and not for nurses (RPN’s). We continue to be overlooked  but our workload and duties have increased heavily since COVID-19 rocked the world.  Our responsibilities have never lighten up and yet the government mandated them with no thanks or recognition.  It’s time to be heard.  In our home there is $1.81/hr difference in wages from a RPN compared to a PSW( our RN’s are about making $20+/hr more compared to an RPN) how is is right?   These RPN’s daily workload involves two med passes for about 33 residents(but up to 39), provide  two shift reports, staffing the home when staff call in, swabbing residents/staff/essential care givers/contractors(approximately 30-40/day- on demand- pulled us from  the unit to complete throughout the entire shift)  Along with doctor’s rounds, NP rounds, answering the phones, porting residents, resident assessment post fall/illness/sudden health status changes, booking/making appointments,  charting, processing orders, quarterly meds reviews, care conferences, MDS’s, feeding residents, assisting with transfers,  covid charting, early shifts and having to stay late, advocating for residents, bathing and care provisions, on top of unexpected behaviours ( multiple health diagnosis mixed throughout the home- open units).  Doug Ford speaks about helping nursing home staff, but he’s not looking at who’s doing what in the home or a reasonable wage allowance to support staff fairly.  We deserve recognition!