Paula Manuel has been actively involved with RNAO since 1992, when she was invited to serve on the executive of the Staff Nurse Interest Group (SNIG). Paula has been a staff nurse and a clinical services manager. She has served as a region without chapters representative on RNAO’s board of directors, and was a member of the expert panel for the Developing and Sustaining Leadership best practice guideline. Paula obtained her master’s of nursing and describes the experience: “I changed how I delivered nursing care — seeing patients in a more holistic and complex manner.”
Paula is articulate and creative (especially in photography and blog writing). She is characterized by authenticity, honour and integrity. Over the years, Paula has evolved as a dynamic RNAO member who has provided numerous keynote presentations focused on: work-life; how to thrive; shiftwork strategies; and how to meet with an MPP. She has created webinars and videos set to music that illustrate how diverse and inclusive RNAO has become over its 99 years.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed on long-standing members of RNAO who exemplify outstanding contributions to the profession in the areas of practice, education, administration or research, at the provincial, national and/or international level. This includes activities that promote RNAO among nursing colleagues, the government and other health-care partners.
