TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW THIS MONTH
There’s still time to renew your RNAO membership
RNAO just hit a new membership milestone. Thanks to the more than 48,000 RNs, NPs and nursing students who believe in RNAO’s work and advocacy efforts. Your support and commitment to our professional association makes our collective voice louder and more impactful.
Nurses gather in Toronto to rally: #RepealBill124
On Nov. 14, nurses took action and spoke up against Bill 124 – legislation that limits wage increases to one per cent and is a disgrace to nurses and other public sector workers.
Organized by Nursewithsign416, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun, President Morgan Hoffarth, President-Elect Claudette Holloway, RNAO members, as well as other public sector workers, participated in the rally to #RepealBill124.
The clock is ticking: 13 days left for Premier Ford to #RepealBill124
At the #RepealBill124 rally in Toronto, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun announced that Premier Ford has 30 days to repeal Bill 124. The deadline is on Dec. 14, less than two weeks away.
Join RNAO’s call to demand the premier immediately repeal Bill 124, which caps salary increases at one per cent – well below inflation.
Open letter to Premier Ford: Crisis in Nursing Human Resources – Repeal Bill 124 as a start
On Nov. 29, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun and President Morgan Hoffarth sent an open letter to urge Premier Ford to immediately repeal Bill 124.
The letter shares RNAO’s grave concern over the state of nursing in Ontario and highlights how the shortage has reached a crisis and is spiraling out of control. This crisis has been worsened by the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the disdain of the Ontario government embodied in Bill 124, which caps salary increases at one per cent.
RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun recognized with lifetime achievement award
We are thrilled to congratulate our fearless leader, Dr. Doris Grinspun, for receiving the 2021 Nell J. Watts Lifetime Achievement in Nursing Award from the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing’s board of directors.
MEMBERSHIP
New grads: Free membership - Join now
Do you know a nurse who recently graduated or an undergraduate nursing student who is preparing to graduate?
Tell them that the perfect way to kick start their nursing career is to become a member of their professional association. Even better: RNAO is offering free membership for new nursing graduates thanks to the generosity of HUB International, RNAO’s home and auto insurance partner.
Do you know a nurse who deserves to be recognized? Deadline is Feb. 11, 2022
RNAO’s Recognition Awards recognize the very best in nursing - those who strive for excellence and those who exemplify the profession’s greatest values. Every year, we recognize both individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to RNAO's mandate: Speaking out for nursing. Speaking out for health.
Celebrate nurses: Nursing Now Ontario Awards are back - Deadline for nominations is Feb. 25, 2022
RNAO, the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) have teamed up again for the Nursing Now Ontario Awards to honour the work of nurses.
Check out the awesome In Focus section on RNAO.ca
RNAO is committed to speaking out for nursing and health, and its new In focus webpages reflect this commitment.
The In focus section of RNAO.ca empowers members from different communities and health sectors by highlighting members' voices, perspectives and experiences on priority issues.
A virtual success: Recap of RNAO’s eighth annual NP Knowledge Exchange Symposium
RNAO’s eighth annual NP Knowledge Exchange Symposium, held virtually on Nov. 23, was an all-day event filled with rich discussions and presentations on the theme “Powered by change.”
Kickstart your job search on RNCareers.ca
RNCareers.ca is your one-stop shop for finding your next job opportunity. It specializes in all levels of nursing and hosts NP, RN, RPN and PSW positions in clinical and non-clinical roles.
Speak to the media: Add your name to RNAO’s media database
As a nurse, you have expertise and experiences that you can speak about to improve health care and the health system for all.
RNAO encourages you to use your voice to share your stories in the media to ensure nurses’ voices are always heard.
A great read for nurses: RNJ
Being an RNAO member grants you exclusive access to the award-winning RNJ. Every issue contains feature stories on prominent topics, a profile on one of your nursing colleagues, In the end (a favourite among readers), BPG corner and more.
RNAO celebrates National NP Week and calls for scope expansion
During National NP Week (Nov. 7 – 13), RNAO highlighted the critical role of NPs in improving access to care for all, especially marginalized populations. Yet, barriers to NP practice and lack of adequate funding prevent NPs from doing more and utilizing all of their education and expertise to fully benefit Ontarians.
Call for Annual General Meeting 2022 resolutions: Deadline is Feb. 7, 2022
It’s time to submit your resolutions for RNAO’s 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
RNAO is encouraging individuals, members, chapters, regions without chapters and interest groups to submit resolutions for review and discussion at the 2022 AGM.
POLICY
Nurses need to be at Queen’s Park
Nurses’ voices must be at every decision-making table. That’s why RNAO strongly encourages members like you to get involved in politics at the federal, provincial or municipal level.
RNAO deeply disappointed with Premier Ford’s decision on mandatory vaccination
On Nov.3, RNAO responded to the news that Premier Doug Ford will not mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers, leaving health organizations to do even more heavy lifting in the midst of this deadly pandemic.
This leaves Ontarians at risk of infection from health-care providers and health-care providers at risk of infection from each other.
Action Alerts – November 2021
As an RNAO member, you can affect change in many ways. One of those ways is by adding your name to RNAO’s Action Alerts – a key political action tool.
Sign and share the Action Alerts to encourage the federal and provincial governments to take action where it’s urgently needed.
Palliative Care Facilitated Access Program renewal reminder
Don’t forget to renew for the Palliative Care Facilitated Access (PCFA) program – the deadline will sneak up on you.
If you were approved for initial entry in the PCFA program in any month of 2021, you will still need to renew in February 2022.
Response to Ontario’s economic outlook and fiscal review
On Nov. 4, RNAO responded to the Ontario government’s economic statement with nurses’ needs and asks at the forefront. While it applauds the government for promising to allocate funding to hire 225 NPs in long-term care homes over the next three years, the association calls for real and sustained actions to protect Ontarians.
RNAO’s presentation in response to Bill 37
On Nov. 24, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun presented virtually to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly about RNAO’s response to Bill 37.
Dr. Grinspun shared how long-term care (LTC) homes bore the brunt of the COVID-19 virus. The catastrophe that unfolded was avoidable. It was especially tragic because long-standing systemic issues raised by RNAO time and again weren’t acted on and exposed for all Ontarians the fragility of the sector and the need for fundamental change.
RNAO endorses Bill 17
RNAO has endorsed Bill 17, MPP Suze Morrison's Private Member's Bill entitled, Gender Affirming Health Care Advisory Committee Act, 2021.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES
Fellowship opportunities: Intent to submit is due Jan. 6, 2022
The Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship (ACPF) program provides RNs and NPs the opportunity to have a focused, self-directed learning experience to develop clinical, leadership or best practice guideline implementation knowledge and skills, with support from a mentor(s), the organization where the RN/NP is employed, and RNAO.
COMING UP
Webinar: Building a Team of Champions to Create and Sustain Change
Hosted by the Best Practice Champions Network on Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. ET, this information sharing webinar will highlight how to recruit and engage champions in your organization to lead change initiatives. It will also give practical tips for fostering champion engagement and sustaining engagement over time.
MEMBERS' VOICES
Members’ tweets – November 2021
Were you active on Twitter in November? If not, it’s time to log in and start tweeting.
This month, many RNAO members posted and shared tweets about topics related to health and nursing that matter most to them. Twitter is an important tool for nurses to speak out on important issues and connect directly with political leaders and reporters. When used consistently and effectively, Twitter can facilitate social movement and mobilize change for the health system.
Members speak out – November 2021
RNAO fully supports any member who wants to speak out for nursing and health in the media – whether that be radio, print, television or podcast.
Read stories from this month that feature RNAO members speaking to important, timely issues.
RNAO’s November activities in video: Weekly updates and Small Talk
Your professional association is committed to advocating for nurses and speaking out on nursing and health-related issues. In November, RNAO focused on issues such as urging the government to #RepealBill124, National NP Week, mandatory vaccination for health-care and education workers and more.