News
RNAO mourns residential school deaths
We are all in shock at the news that the remains of 215 children were found buried at a former B.C. residential school. Every day we learn new things about the cultural and physical genocide of Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada’s long history. How many more atrocities will we learn about in the days to come? We join in the deep mourning of First Nations people, including the survivors among them.
COVID-19 nursing workforce survey: Have your say - Deadline: July 2
To gain a better understanding of the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Canadian nursing workforce, RNAO has joined with Australia’s Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre at the University of South Australia to launch a more detailed Canadian COVID-19 nursing workforce survey.
Join us for RNAO’s AGM on June 24-26: Register today
The countdown has begun. RNAO’s 96th Annual General Meeting is just weeks away.
Join us for an exciting program of events and to celebrate the incredible efforts of registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students during the most unprecedented past year.
Make your voice heard: One member, one vote – Voting opens on June 8
As an RNAO member, you play an important role in deciding governance issues that affect the current and future direction of your professional association. One member, one vote is how you can make your voice heard. All members with the exception of undergraduate students are eligible to vote.
RNAO’s statement on the government’s phased-in reopening plan
RNAO commends the government’s May 20 announcement of a phased-in three-step reopening roadmap for the province.
RNAO supports Premier Ford’s announcement on schools as risk is too high
RNAO is keenly aware of the importance of schools for the mental, social and physical health of children, as well as for their academic development. The pandemic has been very hard for everyone and in particular for young students and their parents. However, the risk of reopening schools for the remaining three weeks of the academic year is too high. Thus, RNAO fully supports Premier Doug Ford’s June 2 decision to delay the reopening of schools for in-person classes until September
Government responds to RNAO’s call for increased enrollment in nursing education programs
On May 14, the Ontario government announced it will invest $35 million to increase enrollment in nursing education programs in publicly-assisted colleges and universities across the province.
Nursing Week wraps up with call to government to increase paid sick days and boost minimum wage
To all Ontario’s registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students who are working tirelessly and selflessly during this COVID-19 pandemic, RNAO thanks each of you for keeping people healthy and caring for them when they are sick or dying. Your work in all sectors and roles shines and makes us proud.
June is Pride Month
Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to celebrate the history, courage and diversity of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Two Spirit communities (2SLGBTQI+).
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.
Membership news
Our $50 deal is back
Do you have a nursing friend or colleague who isn’t an RNAO member yet?
Tell them they can join RNAO for only $50 + tax and fill the missing piece in RNAO’s family. When they join RNAO, they receive professional liability protection, free access to the RNJ, invites to networking opportunities, free virtual events and more.
Do you know non-nurses who want to join RNAO?
Many non-nurse colleagues have asked if they can join RNAO. The answer is yes!
Non-nurse colleagues can join RNAO under the membership category “a friend of RNAO.”
Remembering Charlotte Noesgaard (1948-2021)
RNAO is profoundly saddened by the passing of nursing leader, past president and long-time member Charlotte Noesgaard on May 14. Charlotte will be dearly missed and will live in our hearts as a dedicated colleague, beloved friend, active RNAO leader, respected teacher and mentor who served the nursing community, fully and generously. RNAO extends its deepest condolences to Charlotte’s spouse Henrik Noesgaard, her children and extended family and friends.
Learn more about RNAO's Legal Assistance Program
Looking for extra protection? Check out our Legal Assistance Program (LAP).
LAP complements professional liability protection (PLP) and provides protection against the College of Nurses of Ontario complaints, workplace-related issues and more.
Membership perks
Have your photo published on RNAO.ca
Do you have a talent for capturing nursing through photographs? Would you like to see your photo on RNAO’s website and more?
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.
Your photo(s) may be used on RNAO’s website, In the Loop, social media channels and other promotional materials.
Are you interested in speaking to the media?
RNAO values and encourages speaking out for nursing and speaking out for health. That’s why, RNAO is calling on members to speak out and share your experiences and stories to the media to shed light on what nurses are going through during this pandemic.
Policy
Exempt health-care workers from Bill 124: Sign Action Alert
Call on the premier to immediately exempt nurses and other health-care workers from Bill 124.
Bill 124 forcibly suppresses the compensation of the very health-care workers that the government calls “heroes.”
Ontario announces second dose vaccination for high-risk health-care workers
After much advocacy from RNAO and the nursing community followed by a media release on May 7 calling on the government to urgently fully vaccinate nurses against COVID-19, the government announced on May 10 that high-risk health-care workers are eligible to receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a shortened interval.
Take Your MPP To Work LIVE
During Nursing Week, RNAO launched its annual Take Your MPP To Work (TYMTW) LIVE political action event.
This year, TYMTW is being held virtually and offers members an opportunity to speak with politicians – especially MPPs – about the depth of nursing practice challenges while caring for patients and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Webinars
COVID-19 Webinar Series: Register for our next webinar on June 14
Join us every second Monday of the month for our COVID-19 Webinar Series for health providers. RNAO’s CEO Doris Grinspun hosts these webinars to talk about COVID-19 and health system updates as well as answer questions from participants.
Health providers from Ontario, Canada and anywhere in the world are welcome to join at no cost.
Continuing the Conversation: An Open Forum for Nurses
Continuing the Conversation: An Open Forum for Nurses is a biweekly forum dedicated to open discussions and breakout sessions for participants to speak about themes identified in previous forums such as dealing with multiple losses, taking care of yourself and burnout.