NEWS
Federal government reinstates Canada's chief nursing officer role
RNAO is thrilled that its call for a chief nurse officer for Canada was answered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
RNAO discussed the need for a chief nursing officer with the prime minister in May 2020 during his Take Your MPP to Work visit to Ottawa Public Health. RNAO has also issued several letters and Action Alerts, and advocated on social media to urge the government to reinstate the role.
Coming soon for undergraduate nursing students
A membership deal you'll love is coming sooner than you think.
Tell an undergraduate nursing student (including those in bridging programs) to stay tuned for a fabulous offer.
Register now: Queen’s Park Day is coming up on Feb 24
You’re invited to RNAO’s 22nd annual Queen’s Park Day (QPD), happening virtually on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 3 – 7:30 p.m. ET.
This year’s event includes discussion of RNAO's provincial election platform and presentations from Ontario's political party leaders and health critics. Members will discuss the province’s nursing crisis, with a focus on the retention and recruitment of nurses as well as care delivery.
Honouring Black History Month 2022
RNAO recognizes the importance of sharing stories and perspectives from the Black community, and is once again celebrating Black History Month in February.
This past year, RNAO has remained dedicated to its advocacy and work to bring awareness to and end anti-Black racism and discrimination, especially in the nursing profession. In partnership with its members, RNAO has made progress in addressing the systemic racism within nursing, as well as all health-care sectors and academic settings.
#IENaction: letter and social media campaign
In the midst of Ontario’s nursing crisis, thousands of internationally educated nurses (IEN) remain unable to practise while their applications to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) languish, often for years.
Mark your calendar: RNAO’s NP Institute is on April 21
RNAO’s third annual virtual NP Institute, titled Powering NP Vision for Tomorrow: Igniting Your Practice, is taking place on Thursday, April 21 and is an interactive all-day event.
Open letter to Premier Ford: A health system on the verge of total collapse
On Jan. 5, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun and President Morgan Hoffarth sent an open letter to Premier Ford about Ontario’s health system being on the verge of collapse amid the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MEMBERSHIP
Recruit an RN or NP to earn rewards
It pays to share. As a member, RNAO will reward you for spreading the word about the benefits of membership. For every new RN/NP* member that you recruit, we'll give you a $20 RNAO gift certificate.
Recruit five new members, and your next year’s membership is on us. New members can join at join.RNAO.ca.
Get an RNAO uniform, today
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. A 15 per cent off discount has already been applied. All you have to do is select "add to cart."
RNAO member's blog gets top honour
Congratulations to Paula Manuel, RNAO’s Peel Chapter president and member of Staff Nurse Interest Group, for receiving top honours for her nursing blog, Life of a Nurse. Her blog was voted by the nursing community as IntelyCare’s Top Nursing Blog for 2021 as well as Top Blog: Career Advice 2021.
Submit your nominations for RNAO’s 2022-24 board of directors by Feb. 7
RNAO is looking for talented nurse leaders to join RNAO's board of directors for 2022-2024. Submit your nominations today and help guide the future of your professional association.
Call for Annual General Meeting 2022 resolutions: Submit by Feb. 7
RNAO is encouraging individuals, members, chapters, regions without chapters and interest groups to submit resolutions for review and discussion at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. Members who submit resolutions to RNAO’s AGM raise the profile of important issues and engaging colleagues in discussions that matter to RNs, NPs and nursing students.
Recognition Awards: deadline is Feb. 11
Do you know a nurse who should be recognized? Nominate them for the RNAO Recognition Awards.
These 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: Nominate an RN, NP and RPN by Feb. 25
Now more than ever nurses deserve to be honoured for their contributions to the nursing profession and health outcomes of Ontarians.
RNAO, the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) invite you to nominate a nursing colleague for a Nursing Now Ontario Award. One RN, NP and RPN will be awarded.
Media Awards: Recognize outstanding journalists – deadline is Feb. 14
Journalists have played an important role in sharing the voices of nurses and other health-care workers fighting COVID-19 from all areas of the health system. These stories give members an opportunity to speak out on the issues that matter most to them.
To honour journalists’ hard work and dedication, consider nominating a reporter, host or producer whose work deserves recognition.
RNAO Small Talk: Membership staff share their experiences during the pandemic
On Jan. 14, RNAO released a Small Talk episode featuring Cecile Nava, RNAO membership and services assistant, and Maureen Norton, RNAO membership associate. In the episode, they share and discuss their experiences with RNAO members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is your contact information up-to-date?
Have you moved addresses recently or changed your email or phone number? Please log in to your MyRNAO account and update your information today.
POLICY
Letter from the leader of Ontario’s Liberal Party in support of #RepealBill124
On Dec. 22, Steven Del Duca, leader of Ontario’s Liberal Party, sent a letter to RNAO Dr. Doris Grinspun in support of RNAO’s campaign to #RepealBill124.
Sign and share RNAO’s recent Action Alerts – January 2022
A new year brings more opportunities to use your voice to impact change. Action Alerts are a key part of RNAO’s policy and advocacy work as they allow nurses, other health-care workers and members of the public connect with political leaders of important nursing and health-care issues.
Final call for Palliative Care Facilitated Access (PCFA) program applications
Reminder for NPs: if you were approved for initial entry in the Palliative Care Facilitated Access (PCFA) program in any month of 2021, you will still need to renew in February 2022.
The PCFA program allows eligible NPs to independently prescribe high-strength, long-acting opioids for those receiving palliative care services. RNAO will process applications to the program on behalf of its members and non-members.
RNAO’s response to the return to in-person learning
On Jan. 12, Ontario’s Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced children would return to in-person learning on Jan. 17. RNAO issued a response saying the announcement fell flat of what was needed to reassure parents and educators that students will be safe.
RNAO responds to Ontario government’s measures to fight COVID-19
COVID-19 and its variants continue to challenge Ontario’s health system, resulting in the government announcing additional public health measures. In response, RNAO issued media releases saying that the measures do not go far enough given the highly transmissible, airborne Omicron.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES
A virtual success: Recap of RNAO’s 19th annual Clinical BPG Institute
In November and December 2021, RNAO hosted its 19th annual Clinical BPG Institute virtually, featuring five weekly training sessions. This was RNAO’s first opportunity to showcase new content from its Leading Change Toolkit™, including evidence-informed tools and strategies to support the implementation of RNAO’s best practice guidelines (BPG).
Webinar: RNAO’s Clinical Pathways - Digital Clinical Decision Support Tools for Long-Term Care
Many long-term care (LTC) homes in Ontario have already implemented RNAO’s best practice guidelines (BPG) and optimized outcomes for residents, staff, and their health care facilities. To advance this work, RNAO has recently partnered with PointClickCare to facilitate access to a digital version of the BPGs called clinical pathways, which are clinical decision support tools for LTC.
COMING UP
COVID-19 Webinar Series: Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. ET
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, so does RNAO’s monthly COVID-19 Webinar Series. Mark your calendar and register now: the next webinar event is happening on Monday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. ET. The topic is how internationally educated nurses (IEN) can help solve the nursing crisis: A panel discussion and stories from IENs.
MEMBERS' VOICES
Members speak out – January 2022
RNAO encourages its members to speak to reporters about nursing and health-care issues. Media stories featuring nurses are integral to raising awareness and understanding what is needed to improve the nursing profession and health-care system as a whole.
Members’ tweets – January 2022
Every tweet you post about nursing and health care increases the profile on 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. Every tweet, retweet, favourite and quote tweet is important to raising our collective voice.