september/october 2015 - rnao4 september/october 2015 members engage and inspire during fall tour...

2015 federal election • New group for campus RNs • Membership boosts job prospects

JOURNALSep

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#GoingSocialThe rising popularity of social media is changing the way nurses communicate, network and learn.

RENEW

YOUR RNAO

MEMBERSHIP

NOW

Membership with RNAO satis�es the CNO's mandatory professional liability protection (PLP) requirement. At no extra charge, you are eligible for up to $10 million against lawsuits in all practice settings, including volunteering work or helping a neighbour in need.

Renew today to continue your other membership bene�ts, such as Registered Nurse Journal, the monthly e-newsletter, In the Loop, and access to RNAO's exclusive Legal Assistance Program ($64.57/yr) for help dealing with complaints to the CNO or workplace issues. Plus, continue enjoying member-only savings on professional development opportunities and excellent group rates on home and auto insurance.

RNAO.ca/join 1-800-268-7199

RNs, NPsDon’t leave a

gap in your PLPDon’t wait untilthe October 31

deadline

cONteNtsVol.

27, N

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FeAtURes

12 COVER STORY RNs embrace social media Moreandmorenursesarerealizing

thebenefitsofsocialmediatofindandshareinformation.

By Daniel Punch

16 Membership gives RNs and NPs an advantage

Lookingforajob?RNAOmembersgetaleguponthecompetitionbybeingpartoftheirprofessionalassociation.

By Daniel Punch

20 Life on campus NewRNAOinterestgrouplauncheswith

thegoaltoraiseawarenessandsupporttheimportantworkcampushealthnursesdoforstudents.

By Victoria Alarcon

22 RNAO’s 90th anniversary FallTouroffersRNAOpresidentandceO

theopportunitytoengageone-on-onewithmembersontheirhometurf.

Compiled by Kimberley Kearsey

theLiNeUp

4 editor’S Note 5 preSideNt’S View 6 ceo diSpatch 7 NurSiNg NoteS 8 NurSiNg iN the NewS11 out aNd about – Special electioN coVerage19 rN profile24 policy at work30 iN the eNd

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regiStered NurSe jourNal 3

Keeping pace by staying connected

editOR’sNOteKiMbeRLeyKeARsey

When i hear someone likesarahdinsdale(page12)sayshe’sneverknownatimewithouttheinternet,itmakesmefeelold.howdidwegetanythingdonebeforewehadeverythingatourfingertips?howdidwecommunicate?thoseoldmethods(libraries,faxmachines,andtelephonesthatwereconnectedtothewall)wereeffectiveatthetime,butastechnologyadvancedandtransformed,sotoodidourexpectationsofourselvesandothers.

thingshavetohappenalotfasternow,andresponsetimesaremeasuredinminutesvs.days.thisexplainsourcoverfeatureinthisissue.socialmediahasdrasticallychangedthewaynursescommunicateandshareideas.AndRNs,NpsandnursingstudentsareembracingplatformssuchasFacebookandtwitterbecause...well...theyhaven’tgotmuchchoice.ifyouwanttokeepabreastofissuesinhealthcareandnursing,youhavetobeconnected.

thisnotionofconnectednessisalsobehindRNAO’snewestinterestgroup(page20).LaunchedinFebruary,theOntariocampushealthNursesAssociation(OchNA)isconnectingcampushealthnursesacrosstheprovince,acknowledgingtheneedforcollectiveeffortstoaddresssomeofthechallengesinthisuniquenursingspecialty.

inthisissueoftheJournal,weareblendingtheoldandnew.socialmediaisstillarelatively“new”toolforsomenursestocometogetherandcommunicate,butwecan’tforgettriedandtrue“old”approachessuchasspecialtygroups,andtheirvalueinourprofessionallives.

Membershipandparticipa-tioninthingsoldandnew…likemembershipinRNAO(seepage16)hasitsadvantages.infact,itgivesyoualegup.Andwecanallusealegup,whetherwe’rejuststartingourcareer,smackdabinthemiddleofit,orroundingitoutasweapproachretirement.RN

as a member, you are eligible to receive a digital copy of Registered Nurse Journal. you can choose to receive only an electronic ver-sion of the magazine by emailing [email protected] and stating your preference for a paperless version. if you haven’t received the magazine electronically,

please let us know by contacting [email protected]

Les P

rix Kenneth R. Wilson 2015

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de l’annéeFinaliste

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Kenneth R. Wilson AwardsMagazineof the Year

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RNJ Is Now DIGITAL!

The journal of the REGISTERED NURSES’ ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO (RNAO)158 pearl Street toronto oN, m5h 1l3phone: 416-599-1925 toll-free: 1-800-268-7199fax: 416-599-1926website: www.rNao.ca email: [email protected] to the editor: [email protected]

EDITORIAL STAFFmarion Zych, publisherkimberley kearsey, managing editordaniel punch, writer Victoria alarcon, editorial assistant

EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEEShelly archibald, Steve buist, marianne cochrane, rebecca harbridge, paula manuel, melanie mcewen

ART DIRECTION & DESIGNfresh art & design inc.

ADVERTISINGregistered Nurses’ association of ontariophone: 416-599-1925 fax: 416-599-1926

SUBSCRIPTIONSRegistered Nurse Journal, iSSN 1484-0863, is a benefit to members of the rNao. paid subscriptions are welcome. full subscription prices for one year (six issues), including taxes: canada $38 (hSt); outside canada: $45. printed with vegetable-based inks on recycled paper (50 per cent recycled and 20 per cent post-consumer fibre) on acid-free paper.

Registered Nurse Journal is published six times a year by rNao. the views or opinions expressed in the editorials, articles or advertisements are those of the authors/advertisers and do not necessarily represent the policies of rNao or the editorial advisory committee. rNao assumes no responsibility or liability for damages arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information or advice contained in the Registered Nurse Journal including editorials, studies, reports, letters and advertisements. all articles and photos accepted for publication become the property of rNao. indexed in cumulative index to Nursing and allied health literature.

CANADIAN POSTMASTERundeliverable copies and change of address to: rNao, 158 pearl Street, toronto oN, m5h 1l3. publications mail agreement No. 40006768.

RNAO OFFICERS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENTVanessa burkoski, rN, bScN, mScN, dha president, ext. 502

carol timmings, rN, bScN, med (admin) president-elect

doris grinspun, rN, mSN, phd, lld(hon), o.oNt chief executive officer, ext. 206

irmajean bajnok, rN, mScN, phd director, international affairs and best practice guidelines centre, ext. 234

Nancy campbell, mba director, finance and administration, ext. 229

daniel lau, mba director, membership and Services, ext. 218

louis-charles lavallée, cmc, mba director, information management and technology, ext. 264

tim lenartowych, rN, bScN, llm director, Nursing and health policy, ext. 237

marion Zych, ba, journalism, ba, political Science director, communications, ext. 209

4 September/october 2015

Members engage and inspire during fall tour

pResideNt’sviewwithvANessAbURKOsKi

as many of you probably knoW,thisyearmarksRNAO’s90thanniversary.thosewhoattendedourannualgen-eralmeeting(AGM)inAprilhadthechancetohelpuscel-ebratethisspecialmilestone.themeetinggavemeandceOdorisGrinspunanopportunitytoshareourcollectiveachieve-ments,notonlyforthepastyearaswenormallydo,butalsotolookbackathowtheassociationhaschangedandgrowninscopeandsignifi-canceoverninedecades.

someofyouwerenotabletomakeittoourAGM,andthat’swhywedecidedtocontinuethecelebrationwithafalltour.weinvitedchaptersandregionstoletusknowiftheywouldbeinterestedinavisit.

AttheendofseptemberandearlyOctober,wevisitedsixareasacrossOntario.thefalltourwasanopportunitytomeetface-to-facewithyou,inyourcommunities,tocelebratelocalRNAOachievements,andtotalkaboutimportantnursingandhealthmatters,includingthefederalelection.

MyfirststopwasOttawa.Morethan50membersgatheredtohonourcolleagueswith25-yearpinsfortheirlong-standingcommitmenttoourassociation.iwasdelightedandinspiredbythestoriestherecipientsprovidedabouttheirpassionfornursingandRNAO.Onememberspokeaboutherpracticeintheemergencydepartment,conveyingthebestandmosttryingoftimesina

settingthatoffersboth,onadailybasis,andhowshewassupportedbyRNAO.sheremainspositive,innovative,andpracticalinherapproachtoensuringpeoplereceivethebestcarepossible.thisisanapproachiknowmanyofyoutakeinyourownpractice.

OttawamembersalsoraisedconcernsabouttheerosionofRNpositionsandtheinstability

thiscreatesinthenursingworkforce,nottomention,theeffectonpatientcare.iwasimpressedbymembers’knowledgeandpassionaboutthisissue.RNAO’scompre-hensivereviewofthestateofnursinghumanresourcesinthecontextofhealthsystemreforminOntariowillprovideimportantinformationforthehealthministertoactupon.

AnotherkeyissueraisedbyRegion10inOttawawasRNprescribing.MemberswhopractiseinacademiawonderedhowthenecessaryeducationalrequirementregardingRNprescribingcanbeaddedtoan

alreadyjam-packednursingcurriculum.it’savalidconcernandoneRNAOisaddressinginitsworkwiththegovern-ment.wearerecommendingastaggeredapproachtoimple-mentation;firstbyofferingastand-alone,300-hour,voluntarycourse,andthenmovingtointegrateRNprescribingintothebaccalau-reatecurriculumby2020.

MynextstopwasOrilliawithasmallbutformidablechapterthatspokewithenthusiasmabouttheimportanceofbestpracticeguidelines(bpG)andtheirdesireanddrivetoconvincetheirworkplacestobecomebestpracticespotlightOrganizations(bpsO).theytoowereconcernedaboutRNsupply,andtheseriousimplicationsashortagehashadonapopulationthatisgrowingolderandwhosehealthneedsaremorecomplex.OneofthethingsthatstruckmeabouttheOrilliagroupwasthediversityofpracticebackgroundsandtheuniqueperspectivesonthevalue

thatRNAObringstotheirwork.Myfinalstopwaswindsor

andtheRNAOchaptertowhichibelong.iwasdelightedtore-connectwithformercolleaguesfrompublichealth,acutecare,andthosefromtheUniversityofwindsor(iamaproudalumnus).iwasalsothrilledtofindaboutadozenveryengagednursingstudentsattheevent.theirenthusiasm,spiritandcommitmenttoRNAOwasenergizing.theyspokeabouttheirpracticeinterestsandconcernsrelatedtothelackofRNemploymentopportunities.wechattedabouttheimportantnetworkingandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesthatRNAOoffers.AndamajorityofmembersimetexpressedhugesupportandthanksforRNAO’sfederalelectionpolicyplatformanditsfocusonaccesstocareandpovertyreduction.

Overitslifespan,RNAOhaschampionedchangethathashelpedsetthedirectionforimprovementsinnursing,healthcare,andhealthsystempolicy.toagreatdegree,wehaveyoutothankforthat.

thecollectivevoiceofourvoluntarymembershelpsexplainourinfluenceandimpact.wewillcontinuetorelyonyousowecanhelpdrivethechangesweseeahead,andcontinuetoelevatethenursingprofessionandhealth-caredeliveryforthoseweserve.RN

vanessa burkoski, rn, bscn, mscn, dha, is president of rnao.

“ over its lifespan, rnao has championed change that has helped set the direction for improvements in nursing, health care, and health system policy. to a great degree, We have you to thank for that.”


by the time you read this, the 2015federalelectionwillbeover.ballotscountedandvotingboothsclosed,wewillknowthewinnersandlosers.butthiscolumnisaboutmorethanthat.it’snotaboutournewordepartingMps,butratheraboutthemagnificentwork–RNAOandmemberled–overthecourseofthe2015federalelection.

democracyincanadaisahumanrightandaresponsi-bility.RNAOisvocalduringelectionsbecauseRNs,Nps,andnursingstudentshavearesponsibilitytoensurevitalissuesareontheelectionagenda.thefederalgovernmentplaysasizeableroleinthehealthandhealthcareofcanadiansbyfundingaportionofhealth-caredeliveryeitherdirectlyorthroughtransferpayments,andbyaddressing(ornot)socialandenvironmentaldeterminantsofhealth.italsohasanobligationtoprotectouruniversallyaccessible,publiclyfunded,not-for-profithealthsystembyenforcingtheprinciplesandspiritoftheCanadaHealthAct.

iamthrilledthatsomanyRNAOmembersunderstandwhythisisimportant.theyhavesteppeduptotheplatetobecomeactivelyinvolvedineventsacrosstheprovincetoraisetheprofileofhealth,healthcareandnursingindiscussionsanddebateswithcandidates,themediaandthepublicatlarge.elevenall-candidatedebateswereorganizedbysevenchaptersandoneregionwithout

chaptersinseptemberandOctober(seemoreonpage11).RNs,NpsandnursingstudentsinthesecommunitieswereapowerfulvoiceonthegroundforWhyHealthMatters:Anurses’guidetothe2015federalelection(a.k.a.RNAO’spolicyplatform).

Membersbroughttheplatformtolifeinawaythatcounts,especiallyinapoliticalbattlegroundasinfluentialasOntario.takingfulladvantageofthisyear’s78-daycampaign(thelongestincanadianhistory),membersarrangeddiscussionsanddebatesthat

wouldquestioncandidatesonissuessuchasprotectingandstrengtheningMedicare;increasingRN-andNp-to-popu-lationratiostoimproveaccesstoquality,person-centredcare;committingtoimprovesocialdeterminantsofhealth;tacklingclimatechange;andbuildingfiscalcapacity.

theplatform,developedthroughextensiveresearchandconsultationwithmembersandotherstakeholdersacrossthecountry,setouttherecommenda-tionsthatnursesknowwillleadtohealthierpopulationsandahealthierhealthsystem.buttheserecommendationswouldhavesimplyremainedonthepagewithoutthepassion,savvyandknowledgeofRNAOmembers.

iftheplatformisourmessage,membersarethefueltopushthatmessageforward,andsocialmedia(seepage12)isoneveryimportantvehicle–amegaphoneofsorts–toamplifynurses’viewstothebroaderhealthcommunity,politicians,themediaandthepublicatlarge.

socialmediahastransformedthewaywedosomanythingsatRNAO,andadvocacyinadvanceofanelectionisagreatexampleofjusthowformidableatoolithasbecome.ihavetweetedaboutourplatformonceaweeksinceitwasreleasedinAugust.

Membershaveretweeted,ashavenumerouspoliticians,journalists,andstakeholderswhoareactiveonsocialmedia.Membershavealsosteppedupotheractivitiesonlinetofurtherpushthemessageforward.

inaninnovativesocialmediacampaignthatallowednursestovocalizewhat’simportanttokeepcanadianshealthyandservethemwhenill,RNAOcreatedawhiteboardthatsimplyread:“OnOct.19,I’mvoting…”itwasuptomemberstocompletethatsentenceandsnapaphoto.theresponsewasamazing.

imagesofmembersadvo-cating“…toendpoverty,”“…formoresocialhousing,pharmacare,healthyworkenvironments,andmoreRNsandNPs,”“…forthe

developmentofanationalpalliativecarestrategy,”andsomanyotherimportantissues(visitusonFacebookforthefullgallery)werepostedonsocialmedia,wideningthereachofourmessage,andshowingthebroaderpublicwhynursescareabouttheseissues.sparkingthoseissuesonsocialmediagetsconversationgoing,andbeingpartofthatconversationinadvanceoftheelectionwascrucialtoourwork.

RNAO’spolicyplatform,members’voices,andsocialmedia:thesethreepillars

compriseawinningstrategyforRNAO’swork.Onepillardoesnotfunctionwithouttheothers,andeachaddstoourprofes-sionalassociation’spower,influenceandimpact.

thankyouforbeingsoactivelyinvolvedinthelead-uptovotingday.ihopeyouarejustasactiveandpassionateasournewgovernmenttakesofficeandwecontinuetoadvancethethingsthatareimportanttoRNs,Nps,nursingstudents,thepublic,andourawesomecountry.RN

doris grinspun, rn, msn, phd, lld (hon), o.ont, is chief executive officer of rnao.

FollowmeonTwitter@DorisGrinspun

A platform, members, and social media: RNAO’s winning recipe

ceOdispAtchwithdORisGRiNspUN

“ the election platform recommendations Would have simply remained on the page Without the passion, savvy and knoWledge of rnao members”


Streamlined process helps IENsinternationally educated nurses (ieN) are benefitting

from a new application process to help them fulfill their

practice requirements in canada. under the new sys-

tem, nursing registration documents are submitted to a

central database. piloted by the National Nursing

assessment Service (NNaS) (a partnership of canadian

nursing regulatory bodies), the new process began in

august. every provincial and territorial regulatory body

still maintains its own policies, and ultimately decides

whether or not an individual will be licensed to practise

in its jurisdiction. according to NNaS, the new system

offers an “open, fair and consistent” process while still

ensuring the standards for nursing care in canada are

met. the one-year pilot of the program saw more than

5,000 ieN applications from 113 countries. a survey of

applicants found 93 per cent “agreed” or “strongly

agreed” that their overall experience was positive. for

more information, visit www.NNAS.ca

Questions raised about new entry-to-practice examSome canadian nursing organiza-

tions have expressed concerns

about higher fail rates for a newly

introduced entry-to-practice exam.

in january, the NcleX-rN,

derived from an american exam,

replaced the crNe as a licensing

requirement in most canadian juris-

dictions. through the first half of

2015, nearly 32 per cent of pro-

spective ontario nurses taking the

NcleX failed – compared to 19 per

cent failing the crNe in all of 2014.

“it is too soon to draw conclu-

sions on the 2015 exam results.

(preliminary data) shows variation

among the schools both in the

number of graduates writing the

exam and in the pass rate,” said

cNo executive director anne

coghlan, adding the college will

continue to monitor data as they

wait for the annual report, avail-

able in early 2016.

Nurses win case against mandatory masking during flu seasonafter considering evidence from six

canadian and u.S. experts over 18

days of hearings, arbitrator jim

hayes determined that a hospital

policy requiring nurses and other

health-care workers to wear an

unfitted surgical mask for the entire

flu season if they choose not to get

vaccinated to be unreasonable and

“coercive.” although the precedent-

setting case was against Sault area

hospital, the “vaccinate or mask”

policy was introduced in a number

of ontario hospitals. the ontario

Nurses’ association (oNa) criticized

the policy for being more symbolic

than a scientifically based tool in

the fight against influenza, and had

experts testify during hearings that

forcing healthy hospital rNs to

wear masks did little or nothing to

prevent transmission of the virus.

hayes also found the

policy undermines the collective

agreement rights of employees to

choose whether or not they will

get the flu vaccine. rNao strongly

encourages nurses to be vacci-

nated. to find out more about the

arbitrator’s decision, visit www.ONA.

org and click on the links to its

media room for the full report.

Getting the full pictureAdrienne Harris-Hale, an RNAO

member and education director for

an Ontario company that grows

cannabis for medical purposes,

responds to a Nursing Notes item

in the July/August 2015 issue of

the journal (New report confirms

dangers of using marijuana during

adolescence).

while no one is suggesting that

cannabis use is recommended for

this age group, by not providing

information on medical cannabis in

your Journal, many nurses only

hear one side to this issue. i am a

nurse who has worked in rehab

and pain management for approxi-

mately seven years. i have found it

difficult to find credible information

related to medical cannabis use.

there is some very good

research and information found

through the canadian consortium

for the investigation of cannabi-

noids, the international

cannabinoid research Society, and

the international association for

cannabis as medicine, which i

can’t help but notice never finds

its way into the Journal. i am cer-

tain i am not the only nurse

struggling with the lack of credi-

ble information. we need to lift

some of the stigma attached to

this treatment. RN

This is your magazine, and we want to hear from you. Send us your feedback at [email protected], or by regular mail to 158 Pearl Street, Toronto, M5H 1L3

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NPs ease pressure on doctorsphysiciansinelliottLakecanbreatheabiteasiernowthatNpsCorey Doughty andMelanie Reaume aretakingsomeweightofftheirshoulders.doughtyandReaumeareassessingpatientsattheelliottLakeFamilyhealthteam(eLFht)withnon-urgentmedicalconditionssuchascoughs,rashesandinfection,freeingupdoctorstodealwithmorecomplexcases.AlthoughNpshavetakenonmoreduties,theyarenotdoctors,doughtypointsout.“Anursepractitionerisnotamini-doctor.we’reindependentpractitioners,”heexplained.“idon’tneedanordertodoanythingundermyscopeofpractice.butwerelyheavilyinthisclinicuponour

physicians.weconsultwiththephysiciansonadailybasis.”

currently,theeLFhthasadiverseteamofhealth-careprofessionals,includingthreeRNs,achiropodist,twodieticians,andtwonurseswhoworkintelemedicine.(ElliotLakeStandard,Aug.12)

Pharmacare becomes a priority for NDP, GreenOntarionursescommendedtheNdpandGreenpartiesaftereachpromisedtointroduceanationaldrugplan,ifelectedinOctober.inJuly,GreenpartyleaderelizabethMayannouncedshewouldexpandandco-ordinatethepatchworkofpublicandprivateplansthatalreadyprovidedruginsurancetocanadians.inseptember,

theNdppledgedtospend$2.6billionoverfouryearstocreateuniversal,comprehensivepublicdrugcoverage.

“weknowthisisanimportantissueforcanadiansbecause23percenthavesaidaccesstomedicationsandaffordabilityareproblemsforthem,”RNAOpresident Vanessa Burkoskisaid,addingactiononanationalpharma-careplaniskeytohealthsystemsustainabilitybecausedrugcostsarethesecond-highesthealthexpenditure.

toensureallcanadiansgetthehealthcaretheyneed,acoalitionofmorethan80groups,includingRNAO,calledforanationaldrugcoverageplan.“Asitstandsrightnow,canadianshaveunevenaccesstomedications

acrossthiscountry.ifwetrulybelieveinuniversalaccesstohealthservices,thenwemustmakesurepeoplehaveuniversalaccesstomedica-tions,”RNAOceODoris Grinspunsaid. (CBCNews,sept.22)

Peterborough health centre helps conserve blood

the peterborough regional health centre (prhc) is paving the way for

other hospitals to follow its lead after saving the province $287,033

through blood conservation practices. prhc saw only three units of blood

expire in 2014/15, demonstrating excellent management of inventory.

blood comes at a high cost of $1,000 per milligram or $1,400 per unit,

creating huge savings when just a bit is conserved. rN Gail Murray said

that using blood “judiciously” ensures health-care professionals are

“using their (donors’) precious donations wisely.” murray also points out

that optimizing hemoglobin – the protein molecule in red blood cells that

carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and returns carbon

dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs – is another great way to save

blood. the three units that expired last year represent .09 per cent of

prhc’s overall supply. (The Peterborough Examiner, Sept. 17)

NURsiNGin the newsbyvictORiAALARcON

RNAO&RNsweiGhiNON…

Gail Murray (second from left) stands alongside conservation colleagues as they display a unit of blood worth $1,400.

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More post-partum resources needed Itaffectsoneinfivewomen,andisnoteasytodiscusspublicly,saysRNFiona Proctor. Inthisexcerptofanarticlepublishedbythebarrieexaminer,Proctortalksaboutherexperiencewithpost-partummooddisorder(PPMD).

withmysecondchild,ihadaverybadcaseofppMd.sleep-deprivedandchasingaroundanewbornandatoddler,itwastoughenoughgettingoutofbed;letaloneputtingona

bravefacefortheworld.Myexistingsupportsystem

couldn’tprovidethelevelofhelpineeded,soireferredmyselftoHealthyBabiesHealthyChildren(HBHC).iwasassignedapublichealthnurse,whovisitedmeinmyhometosupportmyemotionalandpsychologicalrecovery.herprofessionaladvicearoundparentingandchildhoodgrowthanddevelopmentdidwonderstoeasemyanxietyabouthowtoraisemykidsinapositive,

supportivemanner–whichwasamajortriggerformyppMd.thisnurseplayedapivotalroleinmyjourney.yetthehbhcprogramhasbeenhamperedbystagnantfunding,resultinginjoblossesfortheprogram’spublichealthnursesandfamilyhomevisitors.Furthermore,serviceswillnowonlybeavailabletofamiliesthatarescreenedas“highrisk.”Underthesenewcriteria,iwouldnothavebeenofferedtheprogram.itisimperativethatthisprogramreceivesustainable,consistentandappropriatefundingfromgovernmentsopublichealthnursesandfamilyhomevisitorscanprovidethisessentialserviceuniversallyandequitablyacrosstheprovince.

Nurses help kids with chronic illness NursesatstratfordGeneralhospital(sGh)aremakingadifferenceinthelivesofchildrenbattlingchronicillness.earlierthisyear,RNStephanie Masse,alongwithseveralnursingcolleagues,formedagroupdedicatedtosewinganddonatingcapestosGhandotherchildren’shospitalsinLondon.theirpurpose:togivekidsaboostofencouragementastheyfighttostayhealthy.

Masse,whoworksonthematernalchildunitatsGh,saysyoungpatientslightupwhentheygettochooseandkeeptheiruniquegift.“thecapesarehelpfulindistractingthekidsfromtheirhealthchallenges,andreallyhighlighttheirability

tobebravedespitethemedicalinterventionsweneedtodowiththem,”Massesaid.

sincethegrouplaunched,ithassewn26uniquecapesforkids,relyingondonationsfromthepublicforfabricandsupplies.Recently,theyweregivenaboostwithagrantof$250fromthestratfordGeneralhospitalFoundation’sGetWellFund,dedicatedtopromotingspecialinitiativesinthestratfordcommunity.(TheLondonFreePress,sept.9)

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RN Fiona Proctor shares her story about PPMD in hopes it will help others.


Community care access centres fall short AccordingtoAuditorGeneralbonnieLysyk,communitycareaccesscentres(ccAc)needto“undertakeahigh-level,comprehensiveanalysis”ofthekindofhomeandcommunitybasedhealthcaretheyprovideinhopesofimprovingonwhatiscurrentlyofferedtoOntarians.inhercriticalreview,releasedinseptember,LysykfoundthatalthoughccAcsclaimtospend92percentoftheirbudgetsondirectpatientcare,theamountspentonface-to-facetreatmentisjust61percent.inaddition,nearlyhalfthepatientswhoneedahomevisitwithin24hoursofbeingdischargedfromthehospitaldonotreceiveone.

RNAObelievesthegovern-mentshouldeliminateccAcsandredirectexistingfundingtostrengthenthesystem.theassociationseesagreaterroleandaccountabilityassignedtoLhiNs,andthetransitioningof3,500careco-ordinatorswhocurrentlyworkinccAcstoprimarycare.ceODoris Grinspun suggeststhat:“insteadoflayersofadministra-tion,there(should)bemorehoursofpatientcare.”

vowingtobring“boldandtransformativechange”tothesystem,OntariohealthMinistererichoskinssaidheacceptsLysyk’sreportandwillseekfeedbackfrompatientsandotherswithastakeinhomecare,includingRNAO.however,Grinspunasked:“whenwillthegovernmenthavethecouragetodowhat’srightandnotjusttinker?”(TheLondonFreePress,sept.24)

Public health nurses talk car seat safety theporcupinehealthUnithosteditsbi-annual“carseatblitz”inseptember.Pamela Drynan,apublichealthnurseandcertifiedtechnician,said:“wechecktoseeifthecarseatisoriginaltotheowner,ifit’sbeeninacollision,doesithavetheoriginalinstructions,whetheraftermarketproductswereadded...”shealsotakesthetimetoseeiftheseathaspasseditsexpirydate,andmeetscanadianstandards.drynansaysparentsshouldthoroughlyinspectthecarseatandthewayitisinstalledinthevehicle,andshouldbeawareofitemsinthecarthatcanhurtachild.“peopleoftendon’tconsiderthatlooseobjectsaredangerousintheunfortunateeventofanaccidentbecausetheyactasprojectiles…sowealsorecommendusingnetsinthetrunkandputtingalllooseobjectsundertheseatssecurely.”(TimminsDailyPress,sept.19)RN

NURsiNGin the news

Letter to the editorPublichealthnursesDeborah Antonello andLorraine Gravelle wrotetothesaultstarabouttheprovince’sdecisiontoincreaseavailabilityofalcoholingrocerystores.

Increased accessibility to alcohol a health hazardbeerwillsoonbesoldontheshelvesofgrocerystoresinOntario.publicopinionseemstobeinfavourofthisdirection.however,therearerealfinancialandhealthcostsassociatedwithmakingalcoholmoreaccessible.in2013-14,alcoholrevenueandtaxesgeneratedatotalof$3billion.however,thepricetagforthesocial,healthcare,andlawenforcementcostsassociatedwithalcoholmisusewasover$5billion.insimpleterms,makingalcoholmoreaccessiblewillonlycosttaxpayersmoremoney.itmaybesurprisingtoknowthatalcoholisthesecondleadingcauseofdeath,disease,anddisabilityincanada.Alcoholusecanraisebloodpressure,whichcanleadtostroke.inexcess,alcoholisharmfultotheheart.Andsocially,alcoholmisuseisassociatedwithcommunityandfamilydisruption,includingviolenceandthedevastatingimpactsofimpaireddriving.

thereisasteeppricetobepaidformakingalcoholmoreaccessible.theconceptofconveniencewillcostallofusmoreintheend.Ourelectedrepresentativesmustcarefullyweightheprosandconsandactresponsiblytoprotectthehealthandwell-beingofallOntarians.

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OuT AND AbOuT

2015 Federal Election

SEPT 28 the lakehead chapter was pleased with the turn-out at its all-candidate event in thunder bay. pictured (l-r): crystal edwards (chapter president), liberal candidate don rusnak, green party candidate christy radbourne, liberal candidate patty hajdu, Ndp candidate andrew foulds, former rNao board member pat Sevean, Ndp candidate john rafferty, local chapter eNo carine gallagher, green party candidate bruce hyer, dawna perry, lakehead chapter past-president, and independent candidate robert Skaf.

OcT 5 attending an all-candidate health forum hosted by the windsor-essex chapter are (l to r): liberal candidates audrey festeryga and frank Schiller, marxist-leninist party candidates enver Villamizer and laura chesnik, green party candidates jennifer alderson and david momotiuk, and Ndp candidates tracey ramsey and cheryl hardcastle. the candidates were representing a number of nearby ridings.

SEPT 29rNao’s kawartha Victoria chapter organized three all-candidate meetings, including one in partnership with the durham Northumberland chapter, which occurred in cobourg. members in cobourg, including that event’s moderator and rNao board member angela cooper-brathwaite (third from right, in red), take a moment to pose with mp hopefuls (front row, l to r) russ christianson (Ndp), patricia Sinnott (green party), and kim rudd (liberal).

rNao’s peel chapter was invited by liberal mpp harinder malhi (brampton-Springdale) to her first Government and Community Services Fair on Sept. 19. Sandrina Ntamwemezi (left) attended with an rNao booth and lots of information and enthusiasm about what the association does at the local level.

SEPT 22a crowd of more than 200 gathered for an all-candidates debate hosted by rNao’s wellington chapter and the guelph wellington coalition for Social justice. when it was her time at the mic, rNao member and lead organizer helen tindale (above) raised the issue of poverty and the need for a national strategy.

SEPT 30 at a Sarnia debate organized by the lambton chapter, in conjunction with the Sarnia lambton health coalition and oNa local 19, chapter president alana halfpenny approached the mic to ask candidates about a national poverty reduction strategy, and for details on how they will adopt the recommendations of the truth and reconciliation commission of canada.

ALSO ...


Sarah Dinsdale

#GOINGSOcIAL

Sarahdinsdalegrewuphearingbothhermaternalandfraternalgrandmotherstellstoriesaboutlifeinnursingresidencesinthe1960s.thetwoseasonedRNstoldheraboutspendingtheirearlycareerslivingindormitoriesattachedtohospitals,andaboutclimbingdownagutter

tosneakoutfortheweekend.butmostly,theytoldherabouttimespentinthedormwithotheryoungnurses,socializingandlearningfromoneanother.

“that’showknowledgewassharedforthem,”dinsdalenotes.NowinherthirdyearofnursingatwesternUniversity,dinsdaleis

enteringaverydifferenteraintheprofession,wherebusylivesand

moreautonomousworkconditionsmakeittoughertoexchangeknowledgeandideasface-to-face.butshebelievesnursesarerecreatingthoseresidenceatmospheresonline.

“socialmediaiswhereitreallyclicks,”shesays.“itprovidesaconnectiontorealpeopleinanygeographicareaandallowsyoutofindinformation...fromyourpeers.”

sincetheirinceptionintheearly-tomid-2000s,socialmediaplatformssuchastwitter,FacebookandLinkedin(seesidebarformoreonthese)haveattractedhundredsofmillionsofactiveusersworldwide.Fromfuelingsocialmovements,toprovidingavirtuallinkwithpoliticians,artistsandthepublic,theyhavechangedthewaythe ph

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LINkEDIN (2003)

this professional

network connects

users with people,

jobs and other career-oriented

information. it also serves as an

online resume.

FAcEbOOk (2004)

users can keep up

with friends, family

and colleagues by

sharing updates and photos,

and by sending messages via

the world’s most popular social

media site.

TwITTER (2006)

this information-

based social

network allows

users to send 140-character

messages called “tweets.”

INSTAGRAM (2010)

users snap and edit

photos and video

before sharing them

with followers as part of this

creative social network.

KNow youR socIAL meDIA

pLATfoRms#GOINGSOcIAL theproliferationofsocialmediahaschangedthewaytheworldcommunicates,andcreatednewopportunitiesfornursestonetworkandlearnfromcolleagues.BY DANIEL PUNCh

Sarah Dinsdale (left) is a nursing student at western university in London (above).

worldcommunicatesinthedigitalage.theyhavealsobecomeincreasinglyimportanttoolsforRNAOinconnectingwithitsmembershipandspreadingthevoiceoftheprofessiontothepublic.

Muchhasbeenwrittenaboutthepotentialpitfallsforhealthprofessionalsonsocialmedia(mostnotablypatientprivacycon-cerns),butdinsdaleinsiststhat,ifusedappropriately,socialmediaplatformscanbeinvaluableresources.Aself-professed“socialmediageek,”shesaysshe’sonlyrecentlyrealizedtheopportunitiesforprofessionaladvancementavailableonline.

twitter,inparticular,hasconnectedhertoahugeonlinenursingcommunity,andallowedhertoengagewithestablishedRNsinallph

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sectors.sheregularlytweetstonursingleaders,andparticipatesinhealth-related‘twitterchats,’moderatedonlinediscussionsoveravarietyoftopics,includingarecentchataboutAlzheimer’sdisease.thistwo-way,horizontalcommunication–insteadoftraditionalone-way,top-downcommunication–ispartofsocialmedia’sappeal,shesays.it’snotalecture,butaconversation.

dinsdale,24,ispartofayounggenerationofnurseswhogrewuponline.“i’veneverreallyknownatimewithouttheinternet,andthat’sarealityformeandmyclassmates,”shenotes.“itwillbethisgenerationofnurses...thatwillshapethefutureofsocialmedia(withintheprofession).”

Butsocialmediaisn’tjustfornovicenurses.ithasbeenadoptedbynursesatallstagesintheircareers.RNAOceOdorisGrinspunisaveterannurseleaderwhohasbecomea

prominentnursingvoiceontwitter,withover4,500followers.shecreatedheraccountin2010andcreditsayoungnurseforpromptinghertobecomemoreseriousaboutit.

“you’reterribleonsocialmedia!”thenursetoldherbluntlyacoupleofyearsago.“Oneday,youtweetalot,andthenexttwodays,nothing.wewanttofollowyou,sogetserious,”sheadded.

Atthatmoment,Grinspunrealizedshecouldn’tengagehalfway.shehassinceusedtwitteronadailybasistoengagewithnursesallovertheworldandtopromoteimportanthealthandnursingpolicy.inasingleday,shemaytweetabouteverythingfromclimatechangetotheneedforanationalpharmacareprogram.“Usingsocialmediaislikeusingamegaphone,”saysGrinspun.

whilehertweetsreflectherownopinions,GrinspunsayssheviewshertwitterprofileasacomplementtoRNAO’sownsocialmediaaccounts.“ifyoureadmytweets,you’llseemypersonalityandknowwhatithink,buti’malwaysinsyncwithwhatwe’redoingatRNAO.”

theassociation’svoiceonsocialmediahasonlybeengettinglouder.LedbywebandsocialmediaeditorNeilhalper,RNAOsurpassedthe10,000markinFacebook“likes”andtwitterfollowersthisyear,upfrom3,300Facebooklikesandlessthan1,000twitterfollowersin2011.

“socialmediachannelsareoftenthefirsttwo-wayinteractionapersonhaswithanorganization,”sayshalper,suggestingitwasn’tuntilrecentlythatindividualscouldcommunicatewithanorganiza-tioninthismanner.“havingastrongpresencewithrelevantcontentwillgetpeopletohitthat‘like’or‘follow’buttonandbegininter-actingwithyou.”

Usingsocialmedia,RNAOhashelpedadvanceimportantissueslikereinstatinghealthservicesforrefugeeclaimants(#refu-geehealth),puttinganendtomedicaltourism(#banmedicaltourism),andhasestablisheditselfasaninfluentialvoiceonanumberofissuesandcampaigns.stayingconsistentlyactiveonsocialmediakeepsRNAOattheforefrontofthesetopics,andcomplementstheassociation’sworkonpolicyandpracticechange.AnRNAO-ledsocialmediacampaignlaunchedonJune15,worldelderAbuseAwarenessday(weAAd),alsodemonstratesthepowerofanonlinepresence.thecampaignwasthebrainchildofbestpracticeguideline(bpG)programmanagersusanMcNeillandprojectco-ordinatorveritywhite.theywantedtodrawattentiontoelderabuseandpromoteRNAO’snewbestpracticesuccessKit,acollectionofresourcesbasedaroundtherecentlyreleasedbpG,Preventingandaddressingabuseandneglectofolderadults.

McNeillandwhitepickedweAAdforthelaunchknowingthat

peoplearoundtheglobewouldalreadybetalkingaboutelderabuseonline,andtheycouldjointheconversationusingthehashtags#weAAdand#elderabuse.

“it’simportanttobepartoftheconversation,andnotlockyourselfoutoftheconversation,”McNeillnotes.

theycreatedimage-heavycontentwithshort,impactfulmessagestobedistributedviaFacebookandtwitter,eachpointingbacktothetoolkit’swebpage.butratherthanbankingsolelyonRNAO’ssocialmediapresence,theyreachedouttootherorganizationsinterestedinelderabuseissues.theyapproachedelderAbuseOntario,andtheNationalinstituteforthecareoftheelderly,forexample,toseeiftheywouldshareRNAO’spostsandspreadthemessagetotheirfollowers.AnumberoforganizationsagreedtoretweetRNAO’scontentthroughouttheday,andRNAOwoulddothesamefortheirs–resultinginmoreexposureforeveryone.

“thisallowedusnotjusttoraisetheorganization’sprofile,buttopromoteelderabuseawareness,andstrengthenournetworks,”saysMcNeill.“weshowedthatRNAOisaleaderonthisissue.”

theresultsweretangible.Manyofthepostsweresharedandretweetedwidely,andthetoolkit’spagesawmorethanfourtimesthewebtrafficofcomparableprojectsonRNAO’swebsiteintheweeksurroundingthecampaign.“Oneoftheadvantagesofonlinecampaignslikethisoneisthatyougetimmediatefeedbackthrough

RENEW

YOUR RNAO

MEMBERSHIP

NOW

Membership with RNAO satis�es the CNO's mandatory professional liability protection (PLP) requirement. At no extra charge, you are eligible for up to $10 million against lawsuits in all practice settings, including volunteering work or helping a neighbour in need.

Renew today to continue your other membership bene�ts, such as Registered Nurse Journal, the monthly e-newsletter, In the Loop, and access to RNAO's exclusive Legal Assistance Program ($64.57/yr) for help dealing with complaints to the CNO or workplace issues. Plus, continue enjoying member-only savings on professional development opportunities and excellent group rates on home and auto insurance.

RNAO.ca/join 1-800-268-7199

RNs, NPsDon’t leave a

gap in your PLPDon’t wait untilthe October 31

deadline

An RNAO-led social media campaign timed to coincide with World Elder Abuse Day saw tangible results. “One of the advantages of online campaigns like this one is that you get immediate feedback through web analytics.”

– NEIL hALPER


webanalytics,”sayshalper.“soyoucanidentifywhatwassuc-cessful,andwhatneedstobereconsidered.”

Atatimewhennewsspreadsinseconds,ratherthanhoursordays,socialmediaconnectspeopleinrealtimetowhat’sgoingonwithRNAO.halperandothermembersofRNAO’scommunica-tionsteamhave“live-tweeted”majorannouncementsfromtheassociation’sowneventsandothersatQueen’spark.

havingactivesocialmediaaccountshasnotonlyextendedRNAO’sreachexternally,ithasalsostrengtheneditsinternalcommunicationwithmembers.dailyjobpostingsandactionalertsareamongRNAO’smostpopularonlineposts,andFacebookandtwitterhavebecomenewavenuesfordialoguebetweenhomeofficeandmembership.

whenpostingsuchvariedcontentacrossmultipleplatforms,halpersaysit’simportanttomaintainaconsistentvoice.

“iensurethatallmessagesthatgooutfromoursocialmediachannelsarealignedwithourmission,values,andconveyaperson-alitythatpeoplecanidentifywith,”sayshalper.“thisisimportant,becausetheyareessentiallydigitalambassadorsforthebrand.”

thiskindofbrandingisn’tjustfororganizations.infact,thesameprincipalscanapplyforindividuals.constructingastrategicimageonlineissomethingallprofessionalsinthedigitalageshouldconsider,saysRichardbooth,anassistantprofessorinnursingatwesternUniversity,whoactivelyresearchessocialmediaandhealthinformatics.

“brandingissomethingwealldo,”hesays.“whydowehavebusinesscardswithourstatusanddegreesonthem?whydowehavelittlesignaturesonouremail?weareconstantlybrandingourselves.”

Linkedin–asitemarketedastheworld’slargestprofessionalnetwork–isanobviousvenuetobrandyourself.yetthiscanbeextendedtomorepersonalplatformslikeFacebook,twitterandinstagrambyhavingakeeneyefortheimageyouprojectonthesemedia.boothsaysit’snowimpossibletoseparateyourpersonalandprofessionallivesonsocialmedia.evenifyoutry,thoseliveswilleventuallycollide,andyou’dbetterbesurethey’recompatible,hewarns.

A lthoughconcerningforsome,thatblurringofpersonalandprofessionalhasitsperks,boothsays.

“ihavestudentswho’verealizedpeoplewillbelookingatthemonline,sotheycangivethemselvesacompetitiveadvantage,”hesays.“theyshapetheircareeronlinesowhentheyfinish(school),theyhaveanonlinerepresentationasgoodastheirresume.Andwhenhumanresources“Googles”them–whichtheywill–they’llfindstuffthatsolidifiesthattheyareavaluablecandidate.”

dinsdalewasoneofthestudentsinspiredbytakingbooth’snursinginformaticsclassatwestern.shesaysmanyofherpeersstruggletobalancetheirpersonalandprofessionallivesonline,butshehascreatedanonlinebrand,andshe’scomfortablewithwhatpeoplewillfindwhentheyGoogleher.

“putyourbestfootforwardonsocialmedia,”sheadvises.“Forme,evenwithmypersonalposts,imakesureit’salwayssomethingiwouldbeokaywithanemployerreading.”

withbooth’sendorsement,dinsdalewasaskedtospeakaboutsocialmediaatacanadianNursinginformaticsAssociationconferenceinMarch.Lookingforinspiration,sheturnedto–whereelse?–twitter.shereachedouttoanumberofexpertsoninfor-matics,whointurnsentherlinkswhichhelpedbolsterhermessage.

“(Asnurses)wecannolongeraskwhyweshouldbeonsocialmedia,buthowweshouldbeonsocialmedia,”shesays.

Askedhownursesshouldusesocialmedia,booth’sanswerisnuanced.hereflectsonhismorningsspentusingtwittertocheckcommutertrafficonthehighway,andtoreadaboutworldissues.“thesethingsareimportanttonursinginmanydifferentways,butthey’realsoimportanttoyouasanindividualwalkingdownthestreet,”hesays.

socialmediaisnotapassingfad,hesays.eventuallythetermwilldisappearanddigitalcommunicationwilljustbe“thewaywedothings.”Althougheverynursedoesn’thavetospendtheirdaystweetingandsharing,beingawareoftheseplatformsandtheirimpactonsocietyiscrucialtokeepingtheprofessionrelevant.

“eventhoughyou’renotusingsocialmedia,”hesays,“iguaranteeyourpatientsandmostoftheirfamiliesare.”RN

daniel punch is staff Writer for rnao.

cATchING up wITh

Rob fRAseRSix years ago, Registered

Nurse Journal profiled rob

fraser, the then 24-year-old

rN who was helping to usher

in a new era of nursing online. he was hosting his own video pod-

cast, called Nursing Ideas, and extolling the benefits of social

media to his often-resistant peers. it was 2009, and social media

was gaining in popularity, but just on the cusp of exploding. esti-

mates peg the number of active twitter users at about 18 million

back then. today, there are more than 300 million.

“i remember having meetings where people wouldn’t know what

social media was,” fraser recalls. “there has (since) been a big

shift in awareness.”

if nursing has seen an increased online presence, fraser can take

some of the credit. he published a book on the subject, The Nurses’

Social Media Advantage, in 2011. “i wanted to create something

that would encourage critical thinking around the use of social media,

but also awareness of the positive impact it can have.”

fraser says his book was well-received, and he now finds

nurses are ready to move beyond the basics, engaging in higher-

level discussions about how these kinds of technologies can

impact practice. fraser, too, is moving forward, doing “much more

advanced” work as an adjunct assistant professor at western

university. he is currently doing product development on an app

called Swift that allows health-care providers to photograph,

document and assess wounds.

“as clinicians, we need to think outside of our traditional roles

and think about how we can evolve the way we do our work,” he

says. and social media is a big part of that.

Learn how to create a constructive, respectful and authentic online persona on any social channel. Visit www.RNAO.ca/SocialMediaTips


F orAlisonMcAuley,jobhuntinghasbecomesomethingofaritual.

intheevenings,afterhereight-year-oldsonandtwin16-year-oldshavegonetobed,shesitsdownatacomputerinherpickeringhome.Acupofteainhand,shescansher

favouritejobpostingwebsitesandpreparesapplications.“todoapplications,ineedquiet,”shesayswithalaugh.McAuley,50,leftherfull-timejobasanRNattoronto’s

hospitalforsickchildrenin1999tofocusonherfamily.since2005,she’sbeenworkingcasualorparttimetoaccommodateforabusyhomelife.Now,withherkidsgrowingup,she’skeentoreturntonursingfulltime.

duringthoseeveninginternetsearches,oneofherfirststopsisalwaysRNAO.cawhereshebrowsesthejobspostedviaRNcareers–theassociation’scomprehensivedatabaseofnursingopportunities.ifshefindssomethingshelikes,she’llputtogetheracoverletterandsenditalongsideherresume.proudlydisplayedonbothdocumentsisthefactthatMcAuleyisanRNAOmember,whichshebelievesgivesheracompetitiveadvantage.

AquicksearchofavailableRNandNppositionsinOntariorevealsthatMcAuleyisright.Jobpostingsarefullofmentionsoftheassociation,andincludephraseslike“RNAOmembershiprecom-mended,”“preferencegiventoapplicantswhoaremembersofRNAO,”andoccasionally,“RNAOmembershiprequired.”

Afterseeinganumberoftheseads,McAuleydecidedshe’dbetterpromotehermembershipfront-and-centre.“itmaybethereasonigetselectedoverothercandidates,”shesays.

butit’snotjustaboutshowingoffhermembership.sincejoiningRNAOtwoyearsago,theassociationhasprovided

McAuleywithcountlessopportunitiestobeefuphercv.sheoriginallyjoinedforprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities,includingthoseenabledbytheNursingeducationinitiative(Nei).Neiisagovernment-fundedgrant,administeredbyRNAO,whichreimbursesnursesupto$1,500annuallyforclasses,coursesandothereducationalopportunities.thankstothefunding,McAuleyhastakencoursesonivinsertionandecGtestingthroughtheMichenerinstituteforAppliedhealthsciences.shehasalsokeptup-to-datewiththeprofessionbyparticipatinginRNAOwebinarsabouttheuseofelectronicmedicalrecordsandrespectfulcareforLGbtQclientsandcolleagues.thesearetwotopicsthatwerenotasprominentwhenshelastpractisedfulltimein1999,sheadmits.

“irealizedi’dbettergetmorewell-versedonthesethingsasicontinuemycareer,”shesays.Allofthishashelpedherbuildsomeimpressivecredentials,andshesaysemployersarenoticing.

hercredentialswouldcertainlybenoticedbythescarboroughhospital(tsh),whereRNAOmembershipisalwayspreferredfornewnursinghires,saysAdeOyemade,managerofinterprofes-sionaleducationandprofessionalpracticeleader.Andastshsearchedforanewclinicalresourceleader(cRL)thissummer,thehospitalwentonestepfurther,makingRNAOarequiredqualification.thecRListaskedwithleadingeducationandprofessionaldevelopmentfortshstaffandmusthaveexperienceinclinicalpractice,consultation,andresearch.soitjustmadesensetolookforanRNAOmember,Oyemadesays.

AsRNAO’sinfluenceandimpactsnowballs,membershipintheassociationisrecognizedasamust-haveforemployers.BY DANIEL PUNCh

Members have competitive advantage

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As she searches for job opportunities, Alison McAuley promotes her membership front-and-centre.

“weknowthatiftheyarepartofRNAO,theywillhavehadplentyofopportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopment,”shesays.

RNAObestpracticeguidelines(bpG)havebeeninstrumentalinmanytshprojectsovertheyears,soithelpswhenanursecanbegintheirpositionwithastrongfoundationintheseresources.RNAOmembershipwasamustforthecRLposition,Oyemadesays,becausethesuccessfulapplicantwillworkextensivelyontheformalimplementationofnineRNAObpGs,astshbeginsitsthree-yearbestpracticespotlightOrganization(bpsO)candidacythisyear.

“Aswemoveforwardwithourcandidacy,wewanttoattractnurseswhoarewellawareofthebpGsandtheirimplementa-tion,”shesays.

OyemadehasbeenanRNAOmemberforsevenyears,andsaysitispartofthecultureattsh.thisstartsrightfromthetop,whereformerRNAOpresidentRhondaseidman-carlsonisthehospital’schiefnursingexecutive.OyemadehasbeenheavilyinvolvedwithRNAOherself,chairingthenursingpracticecommitteeandpresentingatconferences.

“i’mverypassionateabouttheprofession,andithinkRNAOhasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingnursesfindtheirvoice,”shesays.it’swhysheencouragesallthenewgraduatesshehirestobecomepartoftheirprofessionalassociation.

whilemanyorganizationsencourageRNAOmembershipamongtheirnurses,somepayforit.saintelizabethsubsidizesthecostofRNAOmember-shipfor25percentofitsnursingstaff,nursemanagersandadvancedpracticeconsultants.Forthepast13years,interestednurseshavebeenabletoapplyforthesubsidybycompletingthepaperworkanddescribingwhattheyhopetogainfromtheirmembership.byofferingfreeRNAOmembership,saintelizabeth“…aimstosupportprofessionalpractice,toacknowledgenurses’andRNAO’scontributionstotheorganization,andtopromotenurseretention,”accordingtoa2002letterfromthenationalhealth-careprovider.

thirteenyearslater,theprogramisstillgoingstrong,providingfullysubsidizedRNAOmembershiptoroughlyonequarterofsaintelizabeth’snearly400full-timeRNsandmorethan400part-timeRNs.

“it’sbeenawonderfulpartnership,andit’shelpedusbecomeabetterorganization,”saysharveyFoote,seniorvicepresidentofpeople,notingthatsaintelizabethhasalsobeenabpsOsince2003.“Asournursesgointoourclients’homes,wewanttomakesurethey’rewell-prepared...andithinkRNAOhasdoneawonderfuljobhelpingusdothat.”

About80percentofRNswhoapplyforthesubsidyreceiveit,Footesays,

addingthattheprogramhasbeenanimportantrecruitmenttoolforsaintelizabeth.

“itshowsweputanemphasisonpersonalandprofessionaldevelopment,”hesays.“ithinkithelpsusattracttoptalent.”

thatmutuallybeneficialrelationshipbetweenemployersandRNAOiswhatworkplaceliaisonslikeMariatandocstrivefor.thestaffnurseattrilliumhealthpartnershasbeenanRNAOworkplaceliaisonsincetheprogram’sinceptionaroundtheturnofthecentury,actingastheassociation’srepresentativeatthehospital’sthreesites–oneintorontoandtwoinMississauga.Overtheyears,tandochaspromotedRNAOmembershipviamonthlylunch-and-learnevents,informationsessions,andperhapsmostnotablybygettingRNAOfeesaddedasapayrolldeductionformemberswhoworkatanyoftrillium’scampuses.

thegoalwastomakeiteasierfornursestojoinRNAOandmaintaintheirmembership,butitrequiredthesupportoftrillium’sleadership.tandocsaysitwasaneasyselltotheorganization’sexecutives,astheyareallstrongbelieversinthebenefitsofRNAO.

whenoneoftrillium’ssites,theMississaugahospital,unionizedafewyearsago,andallmembersautomaticallybecamepartoftheOntarioNurses’Association(ONA),tandocwonderedifRNAO

membershipnumberswouldgodown,sincesomeRNsmaynotwanttopaybothunionduesandRNAOfees.toherdelight,thenumbershavenotdippedatall.

“thatjustgoestoshowhowstrongtheprofessionalassociationis,”tandocsays.

AsshecontinuestopromoteRNAOtohercolleagues,tandoctellsthemthebenefitsaretwofold.

“Onanextrinsiclevel,whenyoulookforajob,mostorganizationspreferthatyouareanRNAOmember,”shesays.“butonanintrinsiclevel,ithinkit’saprivilegeasanurse.”

McAuleyalreadyfeelsprivilegedtobeanRNAOmember,andshe’shopefulitwillhelpherlandherdreamjob.Asshepreparesforsomepromisinginter-views,sheknowsherparticipationintheassociationwillevolveonceshe’sbacktonursingfulltime.

“Mylong-termmembershipwithRNAO,andwhatiutilizefromit,willprobablychangeovertime,”shesays.thoughshe’snotparticularlypoliticallyactive,shehopestosupportRNAO’spolicyinitiativesinthefuture.shealsoplanstogetmoreinvolvedwithherlocaldurhamNorthumberlandchapter.

“evenjustbeingabletoconnectwithpeopleinthesameprofessionandthesamecommunityisareallygoodreasontobepart(ofRNAO),”McAuleysays.RN

daniel punch is staff Writer at rnao.

Membership by ThE NUMBERS*

The increase in RN/NP members between 2000 (14,462) and 2014 (36,390)

276 IN 2000

339IN 2000

17%IN 2001

37%IN 2014

TO

TO

TO

152%

…an increase of more than 18-fold.

5,111 IN 2014

ALMOST

3,000IN 2014

The number of RN/NP members as a percentage of RNs/NPs working in nursing in Ontario has more than doubled in just over a decade.

New grads have seen their representation with the association increase from…

*As at Oct. 31, 2014

The number of undergraduate nursing student associates has ballooned from…


sue coffey Was feeling dis-illusionedwiththeworldofacademia.shewas23-years-old,nearingtheendofherneurosciencedegreeattheUniversityoftoronto(Uoft),andsawnoclearpathahead.“ireallyfeltlikeitwasgoingnowhere,”coffeyrecalls.

Asfatewouldhaveit,herbrotherwasdatinganRNatthetime,whosuggestedcoffeypursueacareerinnursing.becominganursewasneveroncoffey’sradar,andsheadmitsherimageofnursingatthetimewasmostlycallbellsandbedpans.

“it’snotwhatyouthink,”hersoon-to-besister-in-lawtoldher.“it’saboutthinking,andbeingwithpeople.ithinkyoumightreallylikeit.”

itwasthedaybeforeapplicationstoGeorgebrowncollegeweredue.FormanyaspiringRNs,decidingtoapplytonursingschoolistheculminationofyearsofplanning.Forcoffey,ithappenedinaninstant.butfromthedayshewalkedintoherfirstnursingclass,itwassimply“magic.”

“Nursingwasthecompletepackage,”coffeyrecalls.“therewasthescientificelement,therelationalaspect,andtheidealsofservicetohumanitythatweresoimportanttome.”

Nearlythreedecadeslater,coffeyhasbecomealeaderinthefieldofnursingeducationresearch.AsanassociateprofessorattheUniversityof

Ontarioinstituteoftechnology(UOit),herworkhasgarneredheralengthylistofawardsandaccolades,includingRNAO’s2015LeadershipAwardinNursingResearch.

butthehallsofacademewerefarfromcoffey’smindasanoviceemergencydepart-mentRNintheearly1990s.infact,aftergraduating,shewasadamantshewouldneverreturntoschool.butwithjustfourcoursesremainingtoward

theneurosciencedegreeshebeganyearsearlier,asenseofunfinishedbusinessledherbacktoUoft.shecompletedherdegree,butfoundthemagicsheexperiencedinnursingschoolwasmissing.

“itjustwasn’tinspiring.Notthatitwasn’tinteresting,butitwasn’tnursing,”coffeysays.

spurredbythisrealization,thewomanwhosworeshewasdonewithlecturehallsand

termpapersfoundherselfpursuingacombinedbaccalau-reateandmaster’sdegreeinnursingfromd’youvillecollegeinbuffalo–notbecauseshewantedanewjob,butforthepureloveofstudyingnursing.

“Goingbacktoschoolmademedigdowndeepandexplorewhoiwasasaperson,andhowthatcameintomypractice,”shesays.“ialwaysfeltthatmypatientsexperi-

encedmedifferently(aftermymaster’s)becauseipractisedfromamuchdeeperplace.”

in1997,coffeymovedtotheU.s.toearnherphdfromwashington’scatholicUniversityofAmerica.sheworkedFridaytosundayinalocalemergencydepartment.intheU.s.,shepractisedinacompletelyforeigncontext–whereapatient’sabilitytopayandthethreatoflitigationwere

constantconcerns.itwasdifficult,butshewasbuoyedbytheguidingprinciplesofcompassionate,patient-centredcareshebroughtwithher.

thatthree-yearexperienceinspiredcoffey’spost-phdcareerbackincanadaasaprofessoratyorkUniversity.Oneofherbiggestareasofstudysincereturningin2000hasbeenhowtocreatea“softlanding”forinternationallyeducatednurses(ieN)thatmakesthebestuseoftheirknowledge,skillsandback-ground,whileensuringthey’reuptocanadianstandards.

“(MypracticeintheU.s.)solidifiedformethatweallcomewithourownknowledgeandskills.whenilookatieNs...justbecausetheircontextisdifferentdoesn’tmeanwenegateeverythingtheybring,”sayscoffey.

hermostrecentresearchincludesworkonRpN-to-RNbridgingprograms,andmakingnursingeducationmoreaccessibleforstudentswithdisabilitiesandothernon-traditionallearners.coffeyhopesthiswillnotonlydiversifytheprofession,butensureallprospectivenursesfeelthesamemagicshestillfeelsaboutnursing.

“everysingleday(ofmycareer)isfullofpassion...andopportunity,”coffeysays.“Nursingisthegiftofalifetimeforme.”RN

daniel punch is staff Writer for rnao.

Last-minute decision leads to rewarding careerwith oNly hourS to Spare, Sue coffey Narrowly meetS the deadliNe to apply for NurSiNg School.

RNpROFiLe bydANieLpUNch

Three things you don’t know about Sue coffey: 1. the woman who suggested

she consider nursing is also named Sue coffey.

2. She has always wanted to write a mystery novel.

3. She learned to drive at 30 so she could commute 1,000 kilometres weekly from her home in durham region to school in buffalo.


ONatypicaldayatthecampusrecreationandwellnesscentreatdurhamcollege,RNteresaengelageandherfournursingcol-leaguesandtwophysicianswillassess100

to120studentsforhealthissuesrangingfromallergiestomentalhealthchallenges.

“we’reliketheirfamilydoctorwhenthey’regoingtoschool…(we)offerthemlong-termsolutionsandcontinuouscare,”theseasonedcampushealthnursesays,addingthatshealwaysfindstimetositdownwithstudentstoexplainsomeoftheschoolresourcesavailabletothem.

Nursesareanintegralpartoftheoverallhealthandcultureofanacademicinstitution,saysLindseythomas,aformercampushealthnurseandcurrentprofessorfortheschoolofhealthandcommunityservicesatdurham.

“wearetheretoprovidecare…whentheyareinneedofmedicalorpsycholog-icalinterventions,”thomassays,addingthatcampusRNsarealso“…acomfortingpersontotalktowheninneedofanyhealthadviceandsupport.”

Lookingtogivetherolemorerecogni-tion,engelageandthomaslaunchedtheOntariocampushealthNursingAssocia-tion(OchNA)inFebruary2015.with22memberstodate,OchNAhasamandatetopromotecampushealthnursesandtheworktheydoforstudents.“thisgroupwasformedtonotonlyadvocateforthe

importanceofourrolewithinacademicinstitutionsandasadvocatesforourstudentpopulation,buttoalsoactasasupportsystemfortheRNswhopractiseinthisenvironment,”saysthomas,who,inpartnershipwithengelage,co-chairsthegroup.

engelageandthomasbelievethatthroughthisnewinterestgroup,andwiththesupportofRNAO,theywillalsobeabletotackleoneofthebiggestissuesaffectingstudents:mentalhealth.

AccordingtoaU.s-canadastudy,oneinfourstudentswhovisitanon-campushealthcentreforaroutinemedicalproblemshowssignsofdepression,andmanyofthosestudentsreporttheyhaveconsideredsuicide.

in2012,RyersonUniversity’scentreforstudentdevelopmentandcounsellingreporteda200percentincreaseindemandfromstudentsincrisissituationssuchassuicide.

UniversityoftorontocampusRNRovinaGirnpointsoutthatcampushealthnursesarethefrontlinewhenitcomestothisissue.duringatimeintheirliveswhentheyaremovingawayfromhomeandfindingtheirindependence,itisimportanttheyhavesomeonetoconfideinandguidethem,shesays.

“duringthebusytimes(likeexamseason),atleastacoupletimesaday,astudentmaybefeelingsuicidalorstressedoutandtheyhavenosupport,”saysGirn.theymaybe“…abletofindaconnection

RNs on campusRNAO’snewestinterestgroupdedicatesitselftocampushealthnursesandthestudentstheyserve.BY VICTORIA ALARCON

FIND OuT MOREabout OcHNA. Visit RNAO.ca/OcHNA or contact the group directly at [email protected]

Teresa Engelage is one of four nurses providing care to students at Durham college.


withthenurse,”whosescopeofpracticeincludesscanningforsuicidalthoughtsanddeterminingwhetherfollow-upisneededwithacounsellororifthestudentneedstogotothehospital.

christinephilbrick,directorofresearchforOchNA,saysmentalhealthcareatoppriorityfortheinterestgroup,andsoisadvocatingforchangestocertaincampuspolicies.

“we’dliketocontinuetoimproveonpoliciesrelatedtomentalhealth,discriminationandharassment,”shesays,“Ourgoalistomakeourcampusesabetterlearningenvironmentforstudentsandtoenhancetheirpersonalhealth,”sheexplains,suggestingtheywouldalsoliketoexplorepoliciesthatprohibittheuseoftobaccooncampus.thegroupisalsolookingtosharebestpracticesbetweencampushealthnursessotheycanenhancethecaretheyprovidetostudents.

tomaketheseaspirationsareality,thegroupisplanningitsfirstmembermeetinginNovember.theywanttofocusongoalsforthecomingyear,andtheresolution(s)theyhopetobringforwardatRNAO’sannualgeneralmeetingnextspring.theteamisalreadythinkingaboutputtingforwardaresolutionthatwillencourageuniversitiesandcollegestocontinuefundingrolesforRNsandRpNsoncampus.

Althoughtheirworkissometimesoverlooked,engelagesayssheisproudandhappytobeacampusRNatdurhamcollege.“irecentlygotaletterfromastudentwhowrote…‘IwasseenbythenursetodayandshespoketomelikeImattered,andthatIwasnormal.Shedidn’tspeakdowntomeormakemefeellikeIwasinferior.’”engelageremembersthestudentwell,andexplainsthatshewashavingsuicidalthoughtsduringhervisit.

theyoungwomanwaseventuallysenttothehospital,andengelagewastrulytouchedtoreceivethenoteofgratitude.thisstory“…reallyspeakstoournursesandhowtheyunderstandwhattheseyoungpeopleneed,”engelagesays.“weneedtorealizehowimportantnursesareinthehealthcentres,andtalk(toourpoliticians)abouthowimportantitistohavethesehealthcentres–andRNs–oncampus.”

withOchNAstillinitsinfancy,engelage,thomas,philbrickandGirn,alongwithothermembersofthegroup,areworkinghardtoreachouttomoreRNs,Nps,andnursingstudentsworkinginacademicsettings.theirgoal:tobecometheleadingvoiceforcampushealthnursesinOntario.RN

victoria alarcon is editorial assistant at rnao.

“We need to realize how important nurses are in the health centres, and talk (to our politicians) about how important it is to have these health centres – and RNs – on campus.” – TERESA ENGELAGE

Niagara college RN christine Philbrick is director of research

for OcHNA.


1 PEEL, HALTON, HAMILTONGrinspun (centre, in red) was in Mississauga for a visit with members of the Peel/Halton and Hamilton chapters on Sept 30. The group celebrated 90 years with a custom cake.

2 wINDSOR-ESSExOn Oct. 1, burkoski attended a networking dinner with 36 members of the windsor-Essex chapter (including a handful of nursing students). She visited each table and chatted one-on-one with members about local issues and concerns.

COMPILED BY KIMBERLEY KEARSEY1 PEEL/HALTON/HAMILTON

2 wINDSOR-ESSEx

hitting the road in honour of 90 years RNAOpresidentvanessaburkoskiandceOdorisGrinspunembarkedonafalltourinseptember/Octobertocelebratetheassociation’s90thanniversaryandtomeetwithmembersinsomeofthecommunitiestheassociationrepresents.here’saglimpseofsomeofthosevisits…


3 MuSkOkA-HuRONIA- PARRy SOuND/SOuTH SIMcOE burkoski (fourth from left) was in Orillia on Sept 29 to visit members of the Muskoka-Huronia-Parry Sound and South Simcoe chapters. The group touched on issues such as palliative care, unique opportunities in nursing, legal protection, and hospital nursing staff recruitment, training and retention.

4 SIOux LOOkOuTGrinspun (front, right) visited members of the Sioux Lookout and kenora/Rainy River chapters on Sept 29. Over dinner with 11 local members, the challenges of rural/remote nursing came up, and the group discussed the work of RNAO’s rural and remote task force. Following the meal, several members joined Grinspun at a forum for MPs running locally in the federal election.

5 REGION 10 burkoski (right) was in Ottawa on Sept 28 as a number of local members received recognition for 25 years with the association. Sharon brez (second from right) entered the quarter-century club with congratulations from executive members (L to R) Gigi Vandenhoef, wendy Pearson and Sandra Stec.

6 REGION 7RNAO’s Region 7 (Toronto East) welcomed Grinspun (front, left) to a network-ing event with RNs and nursing students on Oct. 5. The group talked about RNAO’s history of advocat-ing for health care and public policy.

5 REGION 10

3 MuSkOkA-HuRONIA-PARRy SOuND/SOuTH SIMcOE

6 REGION 7

hitting the road in honour of 90 years

4 SIOux LOOkOuT


Why health matters RNAOwasoutinfullforceduringthefederalelectioncampaign.toensurehealth,healthcareandnursinghumanresourceswerenotrelegatedtothesidelines,theassociationreleaseditsplatform,WhyHealthMatters,todrawattentiontonurses’recommen-dationson:protectingandstrengtheningMedicare;increasingRN/Np-to-popula-tionratiostoimproveaccesstocare;tacklingsocialandenvironmentdeterminantsofhealth,includingacompre-hensivenationalpovertyreductionstrategyandactiononclimatechange;andensuringfiscalcapacitythroughprogres-sivetaxation.

MembersfromacrosstheprovinceusedRNAO’spolicyplatformtoshapediscussionsatall-candidatesdebatestheyorganized,raisingimportantissuessuchaspharmacare,assisteddying,andhealth-careservicesforFirstNationspeople.

Asectionoftheassociation’swebsitewasdedicatedtotheelection,withextensiveresourcesdesignedtomobilizeandinformmembersandthepublic.Aquestionnairewassenttotheconservative,Ndp,Liberal,andGreenparties,andachartcomparingeachparty’splatformagainstRNAO’slistofrecom-mendationswasalsocompiled.visitwww.RNAO.ca/election2015toaccesstheseresources.

Making retirement homes safer Legislationthatgovernshowretirementhomesoperateintheprovinceiscurrentlyunderreview.RNAOhadachancetoprovideitsrecommendations

totheOntariosenior’ssecretariatattheendofseptember.Givenmosthomesintheprovincearefor-profit,RNAOwantsastrongregula-torymechanismputinplacetoensureeconomicgainsneversupersedetheprovisionofsafe,qualitycare.Otherrecommen-dationsinclude:closingloopholestoprotectresidentsifahomevoluntarilyceasesoperations;reviewingtheuseofrestraints(chemicalandphysical);changingthedefinitionofabusesoitincludes“neglect”;andreinforcingtheneedforacapontheservicesprovidedinretirementhomes.Memberscanreadthefullsubmissionatwww.RNAO.ca/seniorssecretariatsubmission2015

The link between health and clean water inseptember,RNAOappearedbeforeaQueen’sparkstandingcommitteestudyingprotectionoftheGreatLakesthroughBill

66.RNAOpraisedthelegisla-tion,notingthatamajorityofpeopleintheprovincelivewithinproximityoftheGreatLakes-st.LawrenceRiverbasinandrelyonitfordrinkingwater.initssubmission,theassociationsaiditispleasedthegovernmentrecognizesthelakesareunderseverethreat.Factorssuchasharmfullevelsofpollutants,risinglevelsofphosphorous,invasivespecies,andurbangrowthallaffectthehealthofthisimportantecosystem.RNAOalsocitedthelegislation’sstrengthbecausespecificlanguageaddressingpollutantsisnowincluded.thiswillhelpensurethereisbettermonitoringandreportingonthehealthofthelakes.thelegislation’srecognitionthatFirstNationsandMetiscommunitieshaveahistoricrelationshipwiththelakesandriverswithinthebasinwasalsoapplauded.

Readthesubmissionatwww.RNAO.ca/Bill66Submission

Moving to end coalAnotherpieceoflegislationthatearnedpraisefromRNAOthisfallwastheEndingCoalforCleanerAirAct,whichwouldmandatetheclosureofremainingcoal-firedgeneratingplants.that,infact,hasalreadyhappened,buttheLiberalgovernmentwantedtocementitscommitmenttoendcoalproductionbydraftinglegisla-tionthatbarsanyfutureelectricitygenerationfromcoal.initsOct.6submissiontothecommitteeoverseeingthelegislation,RNAOdescribedBill9asapowerfultooltoprotectairquality,preventtoxicemissions,andhelptheprovincereducegreenhousegasemissions.theassociation’ssubmissioncelebratedtheprogressonclimatechangeandairquality,andurgedgovernmenttostepupitsworkonreducingtoxicsandensurepeoplearemadeawareofthepresenceoftoxicsintheirhomes,workplacesandintheproductstheyconsume.RN

pOLicyAtwORK

In the run-up to the federal election, RNAO asked members what they’d be voting for, and the answers were as diverse as the membership itself.


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cALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2016-2018 RNAO board of Directors DEADLINE: Jan. 8, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. as your professional association, rNao is committed to speaking out for nursing, speaking out for health. your talent, expertise and activism are vital to our success. for the term 2016-2018, rNao is seeking nominees for:

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When i enrolled in nursing 30 years ago, i did not knoW What Was involvedinbecominganRN.iwassimplydrawntotheideaofhelpingpeopleandtheprospectofajobatgraduation.

ialwaysenjoyedmyclasses,butdidnotgetthesatisfactionineededfrommyclinicalplacements.Feelingunfulfilledatthebedside,iconvincedmyselfiwouldlikelygoontopost-graduatestudiestofindmynicheinnursing.Myplanchangedinthelasthalfofmyfinalyear,when,atjust22-years-old,ihadthegoodfortunetolandaplacementintheneonatalintensivecareunit(NicU).

iwillneverforgetmyfirstexperiencewithaprematureinfant,bornatjust23weeks.savannah*hadtheoddsstackedagainstherasonlyoneinthreeinfantssurviveatthatage.hermother,Lynn*,wasasingleparentandsavannahwashersixthchild.withthesuggestionthatsavannahmaynotsurvive,Lynnconfidedinmethatshedreamtofsavannahasanoldergirl,andthisvisionwasverypowerful.shecouldnotgiveuponherdaughter.

Myrolewastohelpherhandleheremotionalstress.iwasrealisticwithherbuthelpedhertofeelhopeful.Againstallodds,savannahsurvivedandwenthomesixmonthslater.isawthepair,bychance,inacoffeeshopseveralmonthslater.iwasthrilledtoseethembothdoingsowell,andtoknowthatmysupporthelpedLynntomakeinformeddecisionsduringanextraordinarilydifficulttime.

AsmycareerintheNicUcontinuedover15years,ifeltagrowingsenseofprideandresponsibilityinmywork.ifoundthesatisfaction

atthebedsidethatiwaslongingfor,andbegantobelievethatnursingwasmytruecalling.inspiredtobroadenmyscopeandtakeamoreholisticnursingapproach,iwentontoearnamaster’sdegreeandbecameaneonatalnursepractitioner(Np)in2004.

threeyearsago,imetacoupleintheNicUwhohadtheirfirstchild.thepregnancywascomplicatedandtheirdaughterwasbornwithanunexpectedandrarecongenitalabnormality.iwaswiththefamilyfromadmissiontodischarge.MyextendedscopeasanNpallowedmetobuildarelationshipoftrustwithafamilystrugglingtocopeandmanageadifficultsituation.thefathertoldmehedidnotwanttobe“apassivespectatorinmyownlife.”hewantedtobeinvolved,andiwasabletogivehimthat.theirdaughterwasdischargedfourmonthslater,andalthoughsherequiredseveralsurgeriesandwouldnotbewithoutchallengesandhardships,herparentsbroughtherhomefeelingempoweredtomakedecisionsandbeactivelyinvolvedintheirdaughter’scare.

Asamotherofthreemyself,ifeelinherentlygratefulformyownblessings.Andequallygratefultopractisenursingwithasenseofpositivityandprofessionalismthatcanonlycomefromdoingexactlywhatyoufeelyou’remeanttodo.RN

susan alliston Works in the nicu special care nursery at st. joseph’s healthcare hamilton.*pseudonymshavebeenusedtoprotectprivacy

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or that so many healthcare providers trust S•R•T Med-Staff personnel

to provide an exceptional level of care.

Contact us today for your personal interview at 416•968•0833

or [email protected]

On The Pulse of HEALTH CARE

SRT Medstaff 4 Colour Ad – RNAO. 2011. 7.125 inches wide x 9.875 inches deep. Contact: Eric Bell 416 961 4060 ext 224

september/october 2015 - rnao4 september/october 2015 members engage and inspire during fall tour...

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