Look who just renewed with RNAO

The year was 1997, and Maria Tandoc, who was working part-time at The Mississauga Hospital (now Trillium Health Partners), remembers meeting RNAO’s CEO Doris Grinspun for the first time. Grinspun had just wrapped up a presentation with the organization’s nurses about changes to the health-care system during then Premier Mike Harris’ period in office, and the benefits of joining RNAO. “Doris’ passion – I couldn’t believe it,” Tandoc recalls. Shortly after, she became an RNAO member.

Within five years, Tandoc signed on to become a workplace liaison, joining a network of nurses across the province who promote the RN role within their place of employment and the benefits of belonging to their professional association. She began setting up booths encouraging others to join RNAO, something she continues to do on a monthly basis.

Interested in taking advantage of more networking opportunities, Tandoc became a member of the Peel Chapter’s executive team – in fact, she is currently president of this group. “That networking piece is important…to meet with other nurses, (talk) about what’s going on in your workplace…it’s a great way to have a forum to voice what’s going on in health care.”

One of her next goals is to bring more students and recent graduates on board to “keep the legacy going and get more nurses engaged in their profession…I hope their experience (with RNAO will be) as good as mine.” The mental health nurse at Trillium Health Partners is also hoping to complete a fellowship through RNAO. She’s seen other colleagues go through the program and says “I know RNAO will be there to help me through it.”

RNAO's membership year runs from November 1 to October 31.