News

Results of nursing survey point to an alarming exodus from the profession following the pandemic

The stress and strain of working during the past 14 months has taken its toll on the mental health and wellbeing of nurses, prompting a significant number of them to consider leaving the profession after the pandemic ends. That’s the primary finding of a survey carried out by RNAO.

Invite your colleagues to join RNAO for only $100

Did you know RNAO’s Work and Wellbeing Survey released March 31 shows RNAO members feel well supported and are less likely to leave the profession than non-RNAO members? That was a key and inspiring finding for staff at home office, RNAO’s BOD and our assembly leaders.

With that in mind, we’d like you to share this membership offer with your nursing friends and colleagues – registered nurses (RN) and nurse practitioners (NP).

Government’s reopening plan threatens the health of Ontarians

The government’s reopening framework is threatening people’s lives, the collapse of the province’s health system and the closing of schools.

The government’s announcement on March 26 that Hamilton is moving into the grey-lockdown zone and the regions of Timiskaming and Eastern Ontario are moving into the red zone provide further proof that a third wave of COVID-19 could engulf vast sections of the province.

RNAO and NAN sign Relationship Accord to improve health across NAN Territory

To advance health equity and effective health care and in support of Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s (NAN) aspirations for self-determination over matters of health, RNAO signed a new partnership with NAN on March 24.

RNAO CEO joins new action group to address staffing in long-term care

The Ontario government has established the Staffing Supply Accelerator Group to help implement a health-care recruitment and training program that will focus on increasing staffing in long-term care. Included in the group is RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun, several leaders of other health-care organizations and provincial leaders.

Read the latest issue of RNJ online

The latest issue of RNJ is out. Have you read it? If not, be sure to read about how an innovative social media campaign helped bring a voice to residents during COVID-19. We also have a profile of Clarice Shen, an RN who cared for Canada’s first COVID-19 patient and the story of an RN who responded to a Code Blue and learned what it means to be a nurse on a health team.

We want to hear from you

Do you enjoy reading our monthly newsletter In the Loop? Do you have ideas or stories you would like to see in the next issue? Tell us what you think in our In the Loop survey.

Find your next opportunity on RNCareers.ca

Are you on the hunt for a new job? Start your job search on RNCareers.ca.

RNCareers.ca specializes in all levels of nursing and health care, including executive, administrative and management positions. Check out the RN, NP and RPN positions in clinical and non-clinical roles on the website.

Are RNAO fees tax deductible?

Taxes are due at the end of April. Every year, a number of members ask us, “Are RNAO fees tax deductible?”

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) requires all of its members who are registered to practise to have professional liability protection (PLP). Because PLP is automatically included in your RNAO membership, it may be tax deductible.

Have your photo published on RNAO.ca

Would you like to see your photo in RNAO’s communications materials? Do you have a talent for capturing nursing through photographs?

RNAO is inviting you to share photos that highlight the work and role of nurses in clinical settings. This may be a photo of you at your work station, working with colleagues or a photo with your nursing equipment. It’s up to you to provide an inside look of being a nurse.

Are you interested in speaking to the media?

Would you like to be interviewed for print, radio, TV or podcasts?

RNAO often receives media requests for nurses working in different sectors and areas of the province. Requests we have received include public health nurses working in schools, the challenges of nurses face working in hospital ICUs and the burnout and stress many frontline nurses are experiencing.

Provincial budget poorly supports nurses caring for Ontarians

RNAO is disappointed the provincial budget is doing nothing to tell nurses help is on the way as they fight against COVID-19 and the rising cases.

More nurse practitioners needed: Sign Action Alert

Increased utilization of nurse practitioners (NP) in Ontario’s health system is long overdue. Join RNAO in our urgent call to the government to deliver immediately on long-standing promises of funding and adding new NP-led clinics and more NPs to long-term care.

RNAO responds to Health Canada regarding vaping products

When e-cigarettes first came on the market, they were touted as safer alternatives to traditional smoking and an effective method for smoking cessation for adults. However, emerging evidence demonstrates that e-cigarettes and vaping products are associated with long-term lung disease.

Become a stakeholder for the Leading Change Toolkit

RNAO and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), now part of a new national organization known as Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC), are excited to be working with an international panel of experts to develop the Leading Change Toolkit.

COVID-19 Webinar Series: Register for next webinar on April 12

Health providers from across Ontario, Canada and anywhere in the world are welcome to join RNAO for its COVID-19 Webinar series every second Monday of the month.

Participants will receive updates on COVID-19 and the health systems, the latest news and pressing issues and have their questions answered.

Recruiting, retaining and advancing Black nurses: Register by April 19

Members are invited to join RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force for its April webinar on the topic of recruiting, retaining and advancing Black nurses.

The webinar on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET will focus on several objectives.

Virtual NP Institute on April 21

Nurse practitioners from all sectors and settings across the province are welcome to RNAO’s NP Institute on April 21, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET.

The one-day virtual event provides NPs with an opportunity to network, engage and explore topics related to policy, clinical practice, quality improvement and patient safety, leadership and research. The main focus will be on how NPs are shaping the health system of the future.

Attention RNAO NPs: NP Insider webinar on May 6

The Nurse Practitioner Interest Group (NPIG), RNAO’s interest group for NPs, is pleased to invite you to its May NP Insider webinar. On May 6 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. ET, participants will learn about RNAO’s professional liability protection and Legal Assistance Program for NPs including legal issues in private practice and prescribing for friends/family during the pandemic.

Registration details to come in NPIG email communications.

Annual General Meeting is June 24-26: Registration now open

RNAO’s theme this year for its 96th Annual General Meeting (AGM) is Protecting Ontarians & Leading Change: Nurses and RNAO during COVID-19.

The theme speaks to the hard work and care nurses are providing day in and day out to Ontarians during this pandemic and the change they are leading by making the province a healthier place for all.

This year, RNAO’s AGM will be held virtually on June 24-26, 2021.

RNAO leads dozens of organization in candlelight vigil

March 11 marked the one-year anniversary since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. It was a day to reflect on the tragedy that rippled across the globe. It was also a day of hope as vaccinations advance and we prepare to navigate our way out of this disaster.