BCNU Opposes Excessive CRNBC fee Increase for Nurses in 2018 - Union Dues Have not Increased

December 15, 2017

Acting President Christine Sorensen encourages RNs to send their views to CRNBC leadership

The decision of the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) Board on December 1 to increase 2018 fees for RNs, NPs, and employed student nurses anywhere from 18 to 35 percent is of great concern to the BC Nurses' Union.

Despite some confusion on social media and in conversations, BCNU members, and RNs in particular, should be aware that there has been no increase in union dues and there has not been one in over a decade. BCNU has no control over the CRNBC decision to increase nurses' fees, but anything that affects the economic well-being of our members is of concern to your BCNU leadership. On December 11, BCNU Acting President Christine Sorensen spoke directly to the CRNBC leadership on behalf of BC's nurses. She made it very clear that these extreme fee increases will have a real impact on nurses and their families. She said it is particularly offensive that nurses have no say in this increase.

The CRNBC's increase of RN practicing fees by $98.55 (from $527.36 to $625.91) amounts to a fee hike of over 18 percent in one year. Even worse is the fact that employed students, our future nurses who are already struggling to finish their education, get hit even harder with a jump of $66.41 (from $189.80 to $256.21) - a whopping 35 percent hike in employed nurse fees.

To make matters worse, it appears that the largest allocation of this huge fee increase will go to pay for an office relocation to one of the most expensive real-estate locales in Downtown Vancouver, and the costs associated with the creation of one nursing regulator.

BCNU encourages our RN and employed nurse members to speak out against the CRNBC's unfair and extreme boost to your fees. Contact the Registrar and CEO of the CRNBC Cynthia Johansen via email ceo@crnbc.ca or call and leave her a message at 604-736-7331 extension 319.

Tell the CRNBC leadership that an 18 to 35 percent fee increase is unfair and unaffordable for nurses.

BC's nurses might also remind the CRNBC that just last year the Association of Registered Nurses of BC (ARNBC) imposed a 12 percent increase in its fees. ARNBC fees are collected through the CRNBC. The ARNBC is an organization that has been imposed on nurses. It was formed through an undemocratic process which included redirecting members' money without their consent. Nurses continue to be denied the ability to choose to financially support the ARNBC and BCNU continues to contest this imposition.