BEIJING, Oct. 18, 2008 - Chinese nurses will share information about the profession with peers from Canada, Spain, Israel and the United Kingdom at an international nursing conference being held in Beijing this week. Nurses will discuss their changing roles, strategies for improving patient care and the importance of creating healthier work environments for all health-care professionals.

The conference, called Nurses: The Solution in Health Care Transformation, is being co-hosted by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), a professional association for Canadian nurses, and the Beijing Nightingale Consultation of Culture (BNCC), an organization which provides nursing education in China.

Conference workshops will address topics such as: providing patient-centred care; best practices for patients with diabetes, mental health challenges and dementia; nursing leadership, mentorship and advocacy.

To see the conference program, visit: china/program.pdf

Where: Royal Garden Hotel

            No. 21 ShuiZha North Street, Mentougou District, Beijing

When: Tuesday, October 21 to Thursday, October 23, 2008

            8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily

Who:    Ms. Jiang Jighui

Board Chairwoman, Beijing Nightingale Consultation of Culture

Li Xiuhua

President, Chinese Nursing Association

Wendy Fucile

President, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario

Doris Grinspun

Executive Director, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario is the professional association representing registered nurses in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has lobbied for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses’ contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.

The Beijing Nightingale Consultation of Culture Co., Ltd. (BNCC) is an organization dedicated to improving nursing standards in China through the development and delivery of professional training programs and continuing education programs for nurses. These training programs are developed through collaboration and partnership with both the Chinese Nursing Association and international nursing organizations.

-30-