NEWS
Season's greetings from RNAO
As the holidays approach and 2021 wraps up, we want to thank each and every nurse for being champions of care and responding to challenging times with knowledge, courage and compassion.
You make a difference in people’s lives every day. Take a moment to reflect on all of the lives you’ve touched this past year: your patients and their families, your nursing colleagues, and/or aspiring nursing students.
Gift or tell your RN and NP friends and colleagues to urgently join or rejoin to secure their careers
Be sure to tell your RN and NP colleagues to join RNAO. The sooner they do, the faster they will be able to take advantage of all RNAO has to offer, including professional liability protection (PLP), which is mandatory for all RNs and NPs to practise in Ontario.
Treat yourself or a nurse friend with an RNAO uniform
What are you wearing to work this winter? Stylish and comfortable are just two words to describe RNAO uniforms.
With a 15 per cent off discount already applied, and the bonus of having your name and credentials embroidered for free, this is one member benefit that you will want to take advantage of and a meaningful gift to yourself or a nursing friend.
Join RNAO’s holiday card campaign to #RepealBill124
On Dec. 9, the Ontario legislature ended its fall session with Bill 124 still in place. That means Ontario’s nursing crisis will continue to deepen. Nurses will continue to leave their jobs and, in many cases, the profession. Patient safety will be impacted and the effectiveness of Ontario’s health system will continue to be compromised.
But, RNAO’s efforts to repeal Bill 124 will not rest.
RNAO responds to latest government measures to slow the spread of Omicron
Last week, as the number of COVID-19 cases related to the Omicron variant rapidly increased, the Ontario government announced new measures to minimize the spread, including expanding eligibility for booster doses, providing free rapid antigen tests to Ontarians and lowering capacity limits in certain settings.
Fall Tour: RNAO hears from members
Between Nov. 15-19, RNAO’s President Morgan Hoffarth and CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun met virtually with members from across Ontario for the association’s seventh-annual Fall Tour.
Members from Durham, Kawartha Lakes, Quinte, Peel Region, London, Ottawa, Sarnia, Waterloo, Hamilton and Kingston shared their struggles and aspirations with Hoffarth and Dr. Grinspun.
MEMBERSHIP
Free RN new grad membership
Do you know a nurse who recently graduated or an undergraduate nursing student who is preparing to graduate?
An RNAO membership is the perfect way to kickstart their nursing career. Thanks to the generosity of HUB International, RNAO’s home and auto insurance partner, new grads can get a free membership.
It’s time to submit resolutions for the 2022 Annual General Meeting
RNAO invites you to submit a resolution to raise the profile of important issues and engage your nursing colleagues in discussions that matter most to nurses. Resolutions will be reviewed and discussed at RNAO’s next Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June 2022.
Learn more and submit your resolution for the 2022 AGM via the MyRNAO submission form. The deadline to submit is Feb. 7, 2022 at 5 p.m. ET.
Nominations now open for 2022-24 board of directors: Deadline is Feb. 7
RNAO is looking for talented nurse leaders to join its board of directors for 2022-24. Submit your nominations today and help guide the future of your professional association.
The following positions are open for nominations until Feb. 7, 2022 at 5 p.m. ET.
Recognition Awards: Nomination deadline is Feb. 11, 2022
RNAO’s Recognition Awards are presented annually to recognize individuals and groups that make significant contributions to RNAO's mandate of speaking out for nursing and speaking out for health.
To honour these individuals and groups, consider nominating a colleague, yourself or your organization for one of RNAO's prestigious Recognition Awards.
Nursing Now Ontario Awards: Nomination deadline is Feb. 25, 2022
The work nurses do each and every day to improve people's health deserves recognition and celebration. Consider nominating a fellow nursing colleague for a Nursing Now Ontario Award (NNOA).
Presented in partnership by RNAO, the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN), the annual NNOA highlights one RN, NP and RPN for their contributions to the nursing profession and health outcomes of Ontarians.
Media Awards: Honour outstanding journalists – deadline is Feb. 14, 2022
Throughout 2021, journalists worked exceptionally hard to share the voices of nurses and other health-care workers fighting COVID-19 from all areas of the health system. These news stories give members an opportunity to speak out on the issues that matter most to them.
To honour these journalists, consider nominating a reporter, host or producer whose work deserves to be celebrated.
Come check out the leading website in nursing careers: RNCareers.ca
RNCareers.ca specializes in all levels of nursing including clinical, non-clinical, staff nurse, management, executive and administrative roles for NPs, RNs, RPNs and PSWs across all health-care sectors.
Submit your nursing photos via MyRNAO
Do you want your photo featured on RNAO’s website and more? RNAO invites you to share photos that highlight the role of nurses and nursing students across all sectors of health care, including photos of you on the job, in class or out in the community.
To submit a photo, please use the MyRNAO dropbox and complete the online permission form.
Learn about the Nurses’ Health Program
Are you struggling with substance use and/or mental illness? The Nurses’ Health Program (NHP) is a free voluntary program for Ontario nurses who are seeking treatment.
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.
POLICY
Annual Queen’s Park on the Road continues
Queen’s Park on the Road (QPOR), one of RNAO’s annual signature political action events, began on Nov. 9 and continues to engage both members and members of provincial parliament (MPP) to discuss the RN understaffing crisis, its impact and recommended solutions.
Update on Bill 37 submission and next steps
Bill 37, the Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021, has received royal assent. The bill represents the government’s response to the COVID-related deaths of more than 3,800 residents and 13 staff in Ontario’s long-term care homes.
Sign and share RNAO’s recent Action Alerts – December 2021
It only takes a couple of moments to sign RNAO’s Action Alerts to encourage provincial and federal governments to take action where it’s needed most. Every signature helps move the needle on prominent nursing and health-care issues.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES
RNAO and Indigenous health
RNAO works collaboratively with provincial and national Indigenous groups, Indigenous organizations, Indigenous-focused Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO) and the Indigenous Nurses and Allies Interest Group (INAIG) to guide a meaningful and impactful Indigenous Health Program.
COMING UP
COVID-19 Webinar Series: Jan. 10, 2022
Launched in March 2020, RNAO’s COVID-19 Webinar Series continues to engage nurses and other health-care providers in timely discussions about the COVID-19 pandemic. The next webinar is on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 at 2 p.m. ET and you’re invited to join for free.
MEMBERS' VOICES
Members’ tweets – December 2021
RNAO members continue to raise the profile on important nursing and health-care issues using social media, specifically Twitter. If you aren’t yet active, RNAO encourages you to sign up for Twitter and start tweeting.
For some inspiration, check out some RNAO members’ tweets from this past month.
Members speak out – December 2021
Your voice as a nurse matters. RNAO encourages you to speak out about nursing and health care in the media to raise awareness and make change.
This past month, RNAO members were featured in many news stories to discuss prominent issues that impact the nursing profession.
Small Talk episodes – December 2021
RNAO’s Small Talk is a video segment to facilitate conversations about current health-care issues with RNAO members, as well as members of RNAO’s board of directors and assembly of leaders.