NEWS
Celebrating International Workers’ Day
May 1 was #InternationalWorkersDay. RNAO commends all members who joined the rally and continue to be part of the labour movement to demand better rights and working conditions for workers.
Nursing Week 2022: May 9 – 15, 2022
This year, RNAO will mark Nursing Week (May 9 – 15, 2022) with the theme: "Nursing Through Crisis." You’re invited to join the virtual festivities alongside your nursing colleagues to honour our profession and help to mobilize change where it’s needed.
$100 membership deal and #RNAOChapterChallenge
Our $100 deal is still on and it is FAB! If you know a fellow nursing colleague who may be interested in joining RNAO, let them know that now is the best time to do it.
Membership includes professional liability protection and is valid until Oct. 31, 2022.
Free RNAO membership for new grads, includes PLP
Kickstart your career the right way! If you’re a new grad (or you know a new grad) from an undergraduate nursing program (includes bridging and accelerated bachelor’s degree programs), you can join RNAO for free membership thanks to the generosity of HUB International, RNAO’s home and auto insurance partner.
RNAO commemorates #EarthDay: All-party debate and new position statement
To mark Earth Day on April 22 and the upcoming provincial election on June 2, RNAO and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment’s Ontario Chapter (CAPE-ON) co-hosted an all-party virtual debate on April 19, titled: Health and justice in a climate emergency.
Media release and Action Alert to urge the government to maintain masking in high-risk settings
RNAO issued a media release to demand the premier not lift mask mandates in high-risk settings (public transit, long-term care, hospitals and other health settings) due to end April 27. RNAO’s advocacy paid off – the government announced on April 22 that the mask mandate has been extended until June 11, 2022. However, it is too soon to set an end date – the mandate should remain indefinitely.
RNAO responds to the 2022 federal and provincial budgets
In April, the federal and provincial governments shared their 2022 budgets.
RNAO’s ongoing media profile: The April 2022 report
RNAO’s ongoing media presence is outlined monthly in Dr. Doris Grinspun’s COVID-19 blog. Our CEO has decided to place her blog on hold until September and re-evaluate its need, given the many other pressing priorities. Thus, the media profile will now be featured monthly in In the Loop to keep you updated on how RNAO is speaking out for nursing and health.
MEMBERSHIP
Register now for RNAO’s 97th AGM: June 9 – 11, 2022
Mark your calendar and register now for RNAO’s 97th Annual General Meeting (AGM), happening virtually June 9 – 11, 2022. To explore nurses’ experiences over the past year, the AGM theme will focus on nursing through crisis to reflect the tireless work of nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
NP Institute: A virtual success
In collaboration with its Nurse Practitioner Interest Group (NPIG), RNAO hosted its annual NP Institute virtually on April 21. The all-day event focused on the theme “Powering NP Vision for Tomorrow: Igniting your practice” and featured many dynamic sessions with expert speakers to engage and inspire NPs from across Ontario and Canada.
RNCareers.ca: RNAO’s official career site for employers and jobseekers
RNCareers.ca is a key resource in finding your next job opportunity. We specialize in all levels of nursing and host NP, RN, RPN and PSW positions in clinical and non-clinical roles.
Free support for nurses: The Nurses’ Health Program
The Nurses’ Health Program (NHP) is a free voluntary program for Ontario nurses who are seeking treatment for substance use and/or mental illness.
RNAO, College of Nurses of Ontario, Ontario Nurses’ Association and Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) developed the NHP to provide an effective channel for nurses to receive support to receive and practise nursing safely.
Show your RNAO pride in your custom uniform
Have you taken advantage of RNAO's most stylish membership benefit yet? RNAO uniforms allow you to display your RNAO pride while maximizing comfort.
With an array of colours and styles, you'll even have the opportunity to customize your uniforms with your name and credentials.
What did you think about the latest RNJ issue? Share your feedback
The winter 2022 edition of RNJ features stories about the Promoting 2SLGTBQI+ Health Equity best practice guideline, two new interest groups,
Ontario Ministry of Health’s “Axe the Fax” Assessment Survey
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has initiated an analysis of the current state and drivers of fax use to identify potential options for phasing out fax use in Ontario’s health system.
As part of Phase 1: Current State Assessment, MOH is looking for your support to participate in the “Axe the Fax” Assessment Survey.
POLICY
Upcoming provincial election: RNAO’s platform outlines nurses’ asks
The June 2 provincial election comes at a pivotal time in the province given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and worsening nursing crisis.
To inform the next government on necessary actions, RNAO’s provincial election platform, titled Ontario’s nursing crisis: Your health, your health system, outlines nurses’ asks in five priority areas: environmental and social determinants of health, nursing, care delivery, and fiscal capacity.
Call on provincial party leaders to be an ally to Black nurses
Sign and share RNAO’s Action Alert to urge all provincial party leaders to add the Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) recommendations to their election platforms.
RNAO members host all-candidates meetings
All-candidates meetings are an effective way for RNAO members, chapters and interest groups to lobby key decision-makers on issues important to RNs, NPs and nursing students. It is a great way for RNAO members to present RNAO’s policy platform, and to assess competing candidates to see their position on critical policy issues.
Ontario expands fourth dose COVID-19 dose eligibility
On April 6, 2022 the Ontario government announced it would expand eligibility for a fourth dose or booster shot for people aged 60 and over, as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis people and their non-Indigenous household members.
RNAO submission: Bill 106: Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022
On April 6, RNAO sent a submission to the standing committee on finance and economic affairs regarding Schedule 6 of Bill 106: Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES
Join RNAO’s third cohort of Best Practice Spotlight Organization Ontario Health Teams: Deadline is May 24, 2022
RNAO is excited to announce that we are now accepting letters of intent from Ontario Health Teams (OHT) interested in joining RNAO’s Best Practice Spotlight Organization® (BPSO) OHT program.
BPG Clinical Pathways for long-term care homes
In partnership with PointClickCare (PCC), the predominant vendor of electronic medical record systems designed specifically for long-term care (LTC), RNAO has developed a new digitized version of the best practice guidelines (BPG).
COMING UP
RNAO-LAP webcasts in May: Register now
In May, you’re invited to two RNAO-Legal Assistance Program® (LAP) webcasts: Understanding the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Investigation Process and Legal Issues for Nurses in Independent Practice.
Pride month celebrations
Pride month is coming up in June, and RNAO looks forward to celebrating with its members.
MEMBERS' VOICES
Members’ tweets – April 2022
Every tweet you post about nursing and health care increases the profile of issues that matter most to nurses. Thank you to every RNAO member who stays engaged on social media to speak out on important topics and encourage the government and other decision-makers to take action where it’s needed most. All forms of engagement – tweets, retweets, favourites and quote tweets – raises nurses’ collective voice.
Members speak out – April 2022
Your voice as a nurse matters. RNAO encourages you to speak out about nursing and health care in the media to raise awareness and advocate for necessary changes.
In April, RNAO members were featured in many news stories to discuss prominent issues that impact the nursing profession.
