NEWS

Canada Day 2022

On July 1, RNAO celebrates its partnerships with Indigenous people, communities and organizations, and is grateful for the knowledge and wisdom they share with us as we walk together the path of reconciliation, in a good way.

RNAO president and CEO attend the Ontario government’s 2022 swearing-in ceremony

On June 24, RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway and CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun attended the Ontario government’s swearing-in ceremony upon invitation from Premier Doug Ford. The ceremony took place outdoors at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Limited time offer: $50 RNAO membership

Tell all of your nursing colleagues that RNAO’s membership is still only $50 plus tax. For a limited time, nurses can experience all of the benefits of an RNAO membership at a discounted rate.

RNAO’s NP research chair: Now accepting applications

RNAO invites eligible PhD-prepared NPs with expertise in research, in particular as principal investigator, and experience in working with programs of research to apply for its inaugural NP research chair position. The primary aim of the NP research chair is to enhance, build, and enable robust research conduction and dissemination focused on clinical outcomes associated with NP and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice.

Highlights from 97th #RNAOAGM

More than 600 RNAO members and guests attended our 97^th Annual General Meeting (AGM)! If you were among the attendees, thank you. The energy was palpable and the discussions were vibrant!

Held virtually June 9 – 11 with the theme “COVID-19 Pandemic: Nursing Through Crisis,” the AGM featured many engaging sessions, inspiring guest speakers and calls to action for nurses to continue to influence change in the profession and health system at large.

New BPG: Promoting Smoking Reduction and Cessation with Indigenous Peoples of Reproductive Age and their Communities

During RNAO’s 97^th Annual General Meeting on June 10, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun announced the release of the first-ever Indigenous-focused best practice guideline (BPG), Promoting Smoking Reduction and Cessation with Indigenous Peoples of Reproductive Age and Their Communities.

New In Focus: 2SLGBTQI+ and RNAO

To commemorate Pride Month, RNAO released its latest In Focus theme web page on June 24 – 2SLGBTQI+ and RNAO. Under the health equity theme, this In Focus topic highlights RNAO’s work and advocacy toward appropriate, accessible health care for 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

RNAO commemorates National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day and the summer solstice, and is part of National Indigenous History Month. Through genuine and good faith efforts to learn the truth and reconcile with our past, RNAO attempts to honour the histories, traditions and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada.

New membership category: Internationally educated nurse associates

RNAO has always been a strong advocate when it comes to Internationally educated nurses (IEN) who decide to make Ontario home. During RNAO’s 97^th Annual General Meeting, CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun announced RNAO’s new membership category: IEN associates.

RNAO’s ongoing media profile: The June 2022 edition

This month, RNAO was featured in stories about the provincial election, the Ontario government’s decision to lift masking mandates and a care strategy for seniors.

It pays to share: Spread the word and earn RNAO credit

RNAO membership is a safety blanket for your practice (professional liability protection included) and an inspiration to your career (best practice guidelines, networking, keeping you well informed, free capacity building, resume writing and more). Tell your friends and colleagues to join today.

Fall Tour (Sept. 12-23): Chapters/regions and interest groups invited to host a visit with RNAO

RNAO will celebrate its eighth-annual Fall Tour with our CEO, president and immediate past-president from Sept. 12 through Sept. 23. This tour is an opportunity for chapters, regions and interest groups to host visits with their members and the public to learn more about RNAO and discuss their thoughts, ideas and questions related to nursing, health and health care.

Nurses’ Health Program provides free support for Ontario’s nurses

The Nurses’ Health Program (NHP) is a free voluntary program for Ontario nurses who are seeking treatment for substance use and/or mental health disorders that may affect their ability to practise nursing safely.

RNAO uniforms: New styles added

Our most stylish benefit just got better. With the same great discount and amazing quality, RNAO uniforms are now available in in new styles.

In partnership with Dixie Uniforms, members are able to receive 15 per cent off of scrub sets, scrub tops, scrub pants and face masks. Show off your RNAO pride with style.

RNCareers.ca: For employers and jobseekers

Are you on the hunt for a nursing position? Visit RNCareers.ca, the official career site of RNAO.

RNCareers.ca specializes in all levels of nursing and health care including executive, administrative and management positions, and caters to both job seekers and employers. You can find NP, RN, RPN and PSW positions in clinical and non-clinical roles on RNCareers.

RNAO calls for Ontario government to maintain remaining mask mandates indefinitely

On June 8, RNAO was disappointed to learn the Ontario government chose to lift most of the province’s remaining masking requirements on June 11, including in health-care settings and public transit. Although pleased that masks remain mandatory in long-term care and retirement homes, the mandate should also continue in congregate living settings such as shelters and group homes. Recommendations are not enough to protect the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations.

RNAO position statement on Islamophobia

On June 6, RNAO recognized the one-year anniversary of the hate-motivated attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario with the release of its position statement on Islamophobia.

The statement reads: “RNAO is committed to a health system and nursing profession that is free from Islamophobia. Islamophobia is contrary to the person-centred, equitable and accessible health system that RNAO believes in and advocates for. Also, Islamophobia, as a social determinant of health, negatively influences the health of Canada’s Muslim population.”

RNAO submission: Proposed regulations to Bill 106

On June 10, RNAO sent a submission to the Ontario government regarding the proposed regulations to amend the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) as outlined in Schedule 6 of Bill 106, Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022. RNAO concludes that the proposed amendments will ease the registration process in health professions and, ultimately, improve access to health care for all Ontarians.

Welcoming three new Indigenous-focused BPSOs

In late May, RNAO’s Indigenous Health Program hosted a two-part virtual launch to welcome three new Indigenous-focused Best Practice Spotlight Organizations® (BPSO): Shibogama First Nations Council, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre and Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services Inc.

Leadership and Management for Nurses Program: Application deadline is July 11

RNAO is accepting applications for the Leadership and Management for Nurses Program.

New Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship streams: Application deadline is July 27

The Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship (ACPF) program gives RNs and NPs the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge, and expertise while advancing a project that will meet a need or gap in service within their organization, with the support from a mentor/mentoring team, their organization and RNAO.

Growing interest in the RNAO BPG Clinical Pathways

RNAO has recently partnered with PointClickCare, the largest vendor of electronic medical record systems in long-term care (LTC), to facilitate access to a digital version of the best practice guidelines (BPG) called BPG Clinical Pathways. Grounded in evidence and extensive research, BPG Clinical Pathways are intended to enhance staff capacity and optimize resident care and outcomes.

Members speak out – June 2022

RNAO members continue to raise the profile of the nursing profession by speaking with reporters about prominent nursing and health-related issues. Nurses’ voices matter and help to mobilize change where it’s needed.

Members’ tweets – June 2022

Twitter is one of the social media platforms that RNAO members use to engage with the nursing community and call for necessary changes to improve health for all. Every tweet helps to raise nurses’ collective voice, and RNAO encourages all members to join the discussion about their profession on Twitter.

Read tweets from RNAO members this past month.

Best Practice Champions Virtual Workshop Session 1

July 12, 2022

The Best Practice Champions Network® team has established a two-part Best Practice Champions Virtual Workshop to replace the in-person champions workshops. This free, online educational opportunity consists of a brief pre-recorded introductory video, and two live virtual sessions to be completed in sequential order.

Best Practice Champions Virtual Workshop - Session 2

July 19, 2022

Strategies to Help Teams Sustain the Implementation of Best Practice Guidelines in Their Organization

July 21, 2022

This interactive session is designed for anyone who is interested in learning some strategies that can be used to enhance the sustainability of best practice guidelines (BPGs) to sustain new or existing guideline implementation.

Virtual Clinical BPG Institute

Sept. 13, 2022

The 20th annual Clinical BPG Institute will be offered via Zoom in fall 2022.