1 6/1/07 4:46 PM Page 1

New tool measures nursing outcomes • AGM 2007 • Male nurses form new interest group Registered NurseMay/June 2007 JOURNAL

AASENSESENSE OF OF MISSIONMISSION SENDSSENDS RNsRNs OOVERSEASVERSEAS RNs Robyn Love (left) and Stephanie de Young (centre) venture far afield to offer care. 21 6/1/07 4:47 PM Page 2

Now I know why thousands of nurses have chosen HUB!

I used to think insurance was insurance and The HUB representative also asked whether never gave much thought to where I bought I had upgraded or added on to my home. it – I assumed it was the same everywhere Now, my home has been undergoing and all that mattered was finding the best extensive renovations for some time, but it price. Was I ever wrong! I heard about HUB had never occurred to me that those Personal Insurance from a colleague at work. upgrades could affect my insurance policy, She mentioned that HUB offers RNAO or more specifically, any claim I may have members great rates on home and auto while these changes are taking place. HUB insurance, but it was her comment on the brought me up to speed on what to include outstanding service that made me decide on my homeowners policy immediately and to find out for myself. made further recommendations for when the renovations are completed. When I contacted HUB, I spoke to an insurance advisor immediately – no pushing I was impressed. I now realize insurance a million buttons or leaving a voicemail is not the same everywhere. There are message. The advisor assessed my insurance differences in product features, pricing, needs and gave me a no-obligation quotation and most importantly, in the people and on the spot. The savings were significant and I the advice they provide. really appreciated the great additional benefits Thank you to the RNAO and HUB for HUB offers. I switched to the HUB plan for taking care of me! Now I know what the RNAO members right away! HUB is all about! Contact HUB today. Call 1 877 466 6390 or visit www.hubvalue.com

Toni Sammut, R.N. You spend your time taking care of others. Now let us take care of you. Call for a no-obligation-quotation and you could WIN pampering for 2 at a spa of your choice! 2786_HUB_AD 6/13/06 3:27 PM Page 1 1 6/1/07 4:49 PM Page 3

Now I know why thousands of nurses have chosen HUB! Registered Nurse JOURNAL Volume 19, No. 3, May/June 2007 I used to think insurance was insurance and The HUB representative also asked whether never gave much thought to where I bought I had upgraded or added on to my home. it – I assumed it was the same everywhere Now, my home has been undergoing and all that mattered was finding the best extensive renovations for some time, but it price. Was I ever wrong! I heard about HUB had never occurred to me that those Personal Insurance from a colleague at work. upgrades could affect my insurance policy, FEATURES She mentioned that HUB offers RNAO or more specifically, any claim I may have members great rates on home and auto while these changes are taking place. HUB WHAT’S THE SCORE? insurance, but it was her comment on the brought me up to speed on what to include 10 By Shannon Landry,RN, BScN, MN, Peggy White, RN, MN, and Dorothy Trimble, RN outstanding service that made me decide on my homeowners policy immediately and New measurement tool offers nurses the opportunity to to find out for myself. made further recommendations for when the conduct more comprehensive patient assessments. renovations are completed. When I contacted HUB, I spoke to an insurance advisor immediately – no pushing I was impressed. I now realize insurance RN PROVIDES CARE, SUPPORT TO a million buttons or leaving a voicemail is not the same everywhere. There are 11 IMMIGRANT WOMEN message. The advisor assessed my insurance differences in product features, pricing, By Jill Scarrow needs and gave me a no-obligation quotation and most importantly, in the people and Veronica Shillingford talks about her work at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands,a community health centre in on the spot. The savings were significant and I the advice they provide. Toronto. really appreciated the great additional benefits Thank you to the RNAO and HUB for HUB offers. I switched to the HUB plan for taking care of me! Now I know what the SENSE OF GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP SENDS RNAO members right away! HUB is all about! 24 12 RNs OVERSEAS By Anila Sunnak Contact HUB today. RNs offer their views on nurses’ moral responsibility to Call 1 877 466 6390 or visit THE LINEUP engage in international nursing. www.hubvalue.com EDITOR’S NOTE 4 AGM 2007 PRESIDENT’S VIEW 5 17 By Kimberley Kearsey and Jill Scarrow More than 600 nurses look back at RNAO’s EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DISPATCH 6 accomplishments of the past year. NURSING IN THE NEWS 7 CHALLENGING THE STEREOTYPES OUT & ABOUT 8 24 By Jill Scarrow POLICY AT WORK 25 RNAO’s new Men in Nursing interest group sets out to change perceptions of the role men can play at the bedside. NEWS TO YOU/NEWS TO USE 26 CALENDAR 27

Toni Sammut, R.N. You spend your time taking care of others. Now let us take care of you. Call for a no-obligation-quotation and you could WIN pampering for 2 Registered Nurse Journal 3 at a spa of your choice! 1 6/1/07 5:45 PM Page 4

The journal of the REGISTERED NURSES' Editor’s Note ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO (RNAO) 158 Pearl Street Toronto ON, M5H 1L3 Phone: 416-599-1925 Toll-Free: 1-800-268-7199 Fax: 416-599-1926 Nurses’ tales of travel offer Website: www.rnao.org E-mail: [email protected] Letters to the editor: [email protected] insight on the challenges of EDITORIAL STAFF Marion Zych, Publisher Kimberley Kearsey, Managing Editor international nursing Jill Scarrow, Writer Tiffanie Ing, Editorial Assistant In this issue of Registered EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Patricia Stiles, Chair Nurse Journal you will PAT GRIFFIN Joseph Gajasan, Anne Kelly, Connie Kuc, December 25, 1945-May 6, 2007 Holly Lake, Sylvia Rodgers, Shannon Landry, meet some very special On May 6, Pat Griffin, an RNAO Rosanna Wilson RNs who are finding ways member and Executive Director DESIGN, ART DIRECTION, PRODUCTION to help vulnerable popula- Dean Mitchell/Fresh Art Design Inc. of the Canadian Association of tions around the world Schools of Nursing (CASN), ADVERTISING Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (page 12). I have tremen- passed away peacefully at her Phone: 416-599-1925, ext. 211 dous respect for these nurses, and for anyone who home, surrounded by loved Fax: 416-599-1926 chooses to leave the comfort and security of life ones. Griffin, who lived with SUBSCRIPTIONS cancer for four years, was an Registered Nurse Journal, ISSN 1484-0863, is a in Canada and search for the chance to make a benefit to members of the RNAO. Paid subscriptions are active member of RNAO. She welcome. Full subscription prices for one year (six difference elsewhere. most recently agreed to co-chair issues), including taxes: Canada $38.52 (GST); Outside Canada: $42. Printed with vegetable-based inks on I was born and raised in this country, but I’ve the development of the Healthy recycled paper (50 per cent recycled and 20 per cent post-consumer fibre) on acid-free paper. visited South America several times. My sister-in- Work Environment Best Practice Guideline on Practice Education Registered Nurse Journal is published six times a law, who is Columbian, and my brother, who year by RNAO. The views or opinions expressed in the in Nursing. “We will miss Pat editorials, articles or advertisements are those of the lived in Chile for eight years, often remind me authors/advertisers and do not necessarily represent immensely, but her leadership the policies of RNAO or the Editorial Advisory how easy it is to live our lives and forget about Committee. RNAO assumes no responsibility or liability will stay fresh in our memories,” for damages arising from any error or omission or from social challenges in other parts of the world. Executive Director Doris the use of any information or advice contained in the Registered Nurse Journal including editorials, stud- The nurses in our cover story haven’t for- Grinspun said. Irmajean Bajnok, ies, reports, letters and advertisements. All articles and photos accepted for publication become the property of gotten, and have purposefully placed themselves Director of the Centre for the Registered Nurse Journal. Indexed in Cumulative Professional Nursing Excellence, Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. in unfamiliar and sometimes frightening situa- tions to offer knowledge and skill, and to hold worked closely with Griffin. CANADIAN POSTMASTER: Undeliverable copies “Pat was a treasure in nursing. and change of address to: RNAO, 158 Pearl Street, the hands of those who are suffering. Their sto- Toronto ON, M5H 1L3. Publications Mail Agreement She has left footprints all over – No. 40006768. ries are compelling, and represent only a small whether in academia, educa- RNAO OFFICERS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT selection of tales that are woven into the tapes- tion, service, evidence-based Mary Ferguson-Paré, RN, PhD, CHE try that is international nursing. practice or research. She will be President, ext. 204 greatly missed.” Wendy Fucile, RN, BScN, MPA, CHE I commend them for what they do, and I urge President-Elect, ext. 504 more nurses to share their stories of working in The Dr. Pat Griffin Fund has Doris Grinspun, RN, MSN, PhD (c), O.Ont. been created by CASN to other parts of the world. If your experience Executive Director, ext. 206 acknowledge her leadership Irmajean Bajnok, RN, MScN, PhD inspires just one other nurse to pack a bag and Director, Centre for Professional and impact on nursing educa- Nursing Excellence, ext. 234 passport in anticipation of adventure overseas, it’s tion and scholarship. Further Sheila Block, MA a story worth telling. information about the fund, Director, Health and Nursing Policy, ext. 215 which will support research in Nancy Campbell, MBA Director, Finance and Administration, ext. 229 nursing education, can be Daniel Lau, MBA obtained by calling 613-235- Kimberley Kearsey Director, Membership and Services, ext. 218 3150 or writing to Anitta Robertson, RN, BAAN, MPA Managing Editor [email protected]. Director, Special Projects, ext. 240 Tazim Virani, RN, MScN, PhD (cand) Director, Best Practice Guidelines and Advanced Clinical/Practice Fellowships Marion Zych, BA, Journalism, BA, Political Science Director, Communications, ext. 209

4 May/June 2007 1 6/1/07 4:50 PM Page 5

President’s View with Mary Ferguson-Paré

Creating a healthier society: RNAO’s challenge to Ontario’s political parties

From the time I able, very clearly lead to health problems in poor and those families that receive social was a nursing student the community. assistance; better protection for vulnerable it was clear to me that These social and environmental issues workers; and a community-based housing there was a significant deserve urgent attention because the situa- strategy. link between poverty tions I’ve seen are situations to which every Our platform also makes key recom- and health.While nurse can relate. More and more nurses are mendations on the environment, calling doing clinical place- also aware of the numerous studies docu- for more emphasis on energy conservation ments, I visited peo- menting the evidence linking ill health with and an end to the reliance on coal fired ple in their homes and it became obvious poverty and the state of our environment. electricity plants and nuclear power.We’re that those who were economically disad- As Ontarians, we enjoy the privilege of also asking the political parties to take vantaged, or had few supports, were severely living in one of the most prosperous concrete steps to ensure Ontarians can compromised. Through my 40 years in the provinces in this country.Shamefully,how- raise their families in a healthier environ- profession, I have gained a fuller under- ment.That means reducing people’s expo- standing of the systemic causes of poverty sure to pollution, toxins, carcinogens and and its impact on health. “I am so very proud harmful chemicals. As a Victorian Order nurse in rural Critically important are also the recom- Ontario in the 1970s, I saw the day-to-day that RNAO has joined mendations aimed at: strengthening our struggle of people who lived in poverty. not-for-profit Medicare system; rejecting Many clients were deprived of the basics of with social justice for-profit delivery and P3s; committing to a a dignified life: nutrition, access to dental nursing workforce that enables more RNs and health care, clothing, decent housing, groups to seek change. to work full-time; retaining senior nurses and community inclusion. Indeed, many of for as long as we can; and expanding roles my clients focused their energies on finding As nurses, we want a and initiatives to educate and recruit the their next meal or paying the rent. next generation of nurses to care for I’ll never forget visiting a family devas- province where Ontarians in the decades to come. tated by poverty and living in the country- We will continue to speak out until side of Ontario.Their home was sparsely progress is made and more is done to alleviate these fundamental furnished.The children living there ranged problems that create illness and advance in age from infant to 10 years. The younger enjoyed by all.” chronic disease in our society. That includes children, who had not been toilet trained, continued advocacy for a publicly funded, were not clothed from the waist down; a not-for-profit health-care system that is clear indication there wasn’t enough money there for everyone when they need it. for clothing.The 10-year-old daughter, ever, we witness an increasing number of Given the level of trust we enjoy among whom I was bringing to an appointment in women and men who are left behind. It’s the public, we believe no other group of a developmental and mental health clinic, troubling how many children live in pover- health-care professionals is better positioned was emaciated and terrified of adults. ty,many in the midst of growing wealth and to take action on these issues than registered Memories such as this never leave one’s inequality.I am so very proud that RNAO nurses.We must do all we can as we look mind. You think about the inequities inher- has joined with social justice groups to seek ahead to the election in October to per- ent in these situations, and realize how priv- change.As nurses, we want a province suade our political leaders to heed nurses’ ileged some of us are compared to those where progress is made and enjoyed by all. advice, and adopt the recommendations overwhelmed with social needs. On May 10, RNAO organized a press contained in RNAO’s document. And then there are the environmental conference at Queen’s Park and issued a I urge you to read it, discuss it with your challenges. challenge to Ontario’s political parties. colleagues, your patients, your families, My studies towards a master’s of public That challenge is contained in a substan- friends and communities.And please engage health during the mid-1980s underscored tive report called Creating a Healthier your local politicians by visiting your MPP the incredible impact of the environment Society (see pg.25). It sets out recommen- to discuss our platform. on health. Living conditions in environ- dations in areas such as the social determi- ments where people are struggling to nants of health. It includes: measures to MARY FERGUSON-PARÉ, RN, PhD, CHE, IS breathe, or where the water is hardly drink- raise the standard of living of the working PRESIDENT OF RNAO.

Registered Nurse Journal 5 1 6/1/07 5:44 PM Page 6

Executive Director’s Dispatch with Doris Grinspun

Communication and media: key advocacy tools for nurses

During Nursing lead to fundamental change. ence the public, and by influencing the pub- Week, I participated in I urge all nurses to embrace these lic we often shape public policy. RNAO’s annual Take opportunities to help people understand One important lesson to come out of Your MPP to Work nurses’ views on health, health care and these media sessions was this: nurses have initiative with nursing issues.And it’s not always a provin- to make these opportunities possible.And Conservative Leader cial or federal politician who needs to any nurse can do it. John Tory and NDP better understand. Patients, family mem- Newly appointed board member Leader Howard bers, neighbours, and even your local cof- Claudine Bennett helped lead one of the Hampton. Mr. Hampton and I visited fee shop cashier can benefit from knowing sessions at the assembly meeting and talked with nurses at Toronto’s Bloorview Kids nurses’ views. You just never know how about what inspires her to pursue media Rehab, where they communicated much people know – or don’t know – opportunities in Peel region. She draws on proudly their role and contribution to about the nursing profession and our her passion for health promotion and dis- children’s rehabilitation. Mr.Tory and I important perspective.Taking it upon our- ease prevention, and pursues opportunities visited the home of a 78-year-old man selves to communicate our views is a vital linked to this passion. who was receiving care from Saint Elizabeth tool to influencing healthy public policy. Maureen Gmitrowicz is another Health Care RN Judy Dempsey. RNAO member who is leading by Before joining this gentleman at his “Each of you can example. She was also at the assembly bedside, I chatted with Mr.Tory and he meeting and told colleagues about her made a lighthearted comment about my become a pro when motivations for writing letters to the edi- ability to influence seating arrangements at tor. She once heard former finance minis- fundraising events to which he is invited. speaking to the ter Janet Ecker admit that the Conservative He told me he had been seated next to a party gauged public opinion and devel- nurse at a fundraiser the day before our media…it just oped some of its policies based on the meeting. Our nurse colleague talked with kinds of letters written in newspapers. him about home care and the 20 visits she takes practice.” We are inspired by your voices in the does each day. Of course I had nothing to media. RNAO members from Windsor to do with the seating arrangement, but I do I’m careful to caution, however, that Ottawa and from Hamilton to Manitoulin congratulate this wise nurse – hopefully an chance meetings with political leaders or Island have embraced opportunities to RNAO member – for taking advantage of with people specifically asking questions engage in discussions with their local an opportunity to discuss with Ontario’s about nursing and health care are uncom- reporters, radio hosts, television personali- Conservative Leader the challenges of mon. In most cases, if we want to discuss ties, editors, writers, and publishers. community nursing. our viewpoints, we must create our Each of you can become a pro when Another member, Mitzi Grace own opportunities. speaking to the media…it just takes prac- Mitchell, showed the same initiative on Take Your MPP to Work achieved just tice.And what better time to practice than March 16, when she had an unplanned that with RNAO members from across during the run-up to the next provincial encounter with Federal NDP Leader Jack Ontario creating opportunities for 44 visits election, when people are eager for infor- Layton. She too took advantage of this with their local MPPs.We thank you all for mation that will help them decide who chance meeting, in her case to discuss your activism. they want representing their interests at nursing issues such as the need to protect Another critical way to create opportuni- Queen’s Park. advanced practice nursing titles. ties is by engaging the media. Members who Staff at home office, particularly in the Kudos to these and other colleagues attended RNAO’s April assembly meeting communications department, are eager to who see an opportunity to influence deci- learned about the impact they can have help as more and more members warm up sion makers, and take it.These types of when they speak to the media.Whether to the idea of speaking to the media and the encounters – and the ongoing initiative of they’re calling up their local newspaper to public about health, health care and nursing. nurses to call for positive system reforms pitch a story idea, writing a letter to the edi- You know what’s right for your patients and that tackle social and environmental deter- tor, writing a media release or advisory your communities. Go for it. minants of health, strengthen Medicare, about a nursing event in their community,or and support the role of nurses – give the agreeing to be interviewed by a reporter; DORIS GRINSPUN, RN, MSN, PhD (CAND), profession credibility and will ultimately any of these provide opportunities to influ- O.ONT, IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RNAO.

6 May/June 2007 1 6/1/07 5:45 PM Page 7

by Tiffanie Ing Nursinginthenews RNAO & RNs weigh in on . . . RNAO releases provincial election platform during Nursing Week

On May 10, RNAO hosted a press con- ference at Queen’s Park to release a comprehensive report entitled Creating a Healthier Society. The document maps out a set of policy initiatives that RNAO wants Ontario’s political parties to adopt in their campaign platforms. “We know we have one of the best acute care systems in the world…but we must do much more to promote health, prevent illness and manage chronic illness,” RNAO President Mary Ferguson-Paré said about the report’s focus on broad health-care issues such as social determinants of health and the environment (see page 25 for full details). (May 14, Pembroke Daily Doris Grinspun (left) and Mary Ferguson- Observer, Welland Tribune; May 16, Paré at Queen’s Park. Dunnville Chronicle)

Health-care professionals looking for help outside of the hospital New anesthesia teams to ease need better training to help experience because things will be going wait times breastfeeding moms better for them,”said Gilmore. Levere, an On March 17, the Ministry of Health and RNAO members Joanne Gilmore and Ontario Breastfeeding Committee spokes- Long-Term Care announced the creation of Lori Levere joined NDP MPP Shelly woman, added:“Our rates in Ontario cur- anesthesia care teams in order to decrease Martel and Jack Newman, a physician rently are quite low.In 2003, 87 per cent wait times for surgical procedures. Nine whose work focuses on breastfeeding, for a of women were initiating breastfeeding, pilot sites for the teams are being established May 14 press conference to urge the but by six months, that had dropped to 39 across the province.They will include two Liberal government to implement a per cent.”(May 14, CKNX-AM Wingham, new classes of health provider called anes- provincial breastfeeding strategy.It’s diffi- Canadian Press; May 15, CBCS-FM thesia assistant (AA) and nurse practitioner- cult for nursing mothers to know what to Sudbury,CJCS-AM Stratford, North Bay anesthesia. RNAO Executive Director do in terms of breastfeeding if they don’t Nugget, Sault Star,The Record (Kitchener, Doris Grinspun said: “We’re proud to be have support from health-care experts, the Waterloo, and Cambridge), Owen Sound Sun part of this innovative approach. Nurses group said.“If you have better training Times, St. Catharines Standard, Kenora Daily should be full partners in delivering you’ll have a decreased number of women Miner & News) care…Pain management is a very important

Registered Nurse Journal 7 1 6/1/07 4:53 PM Page 8

Nursinginthenews RNAO & RNs weigh in on . . .

role for nurses.”(March 16, Globe and Mail; cians to take a responsible stand and stop hockey game in Toronto. Beattie leapt into March 17, National Review of Medicine, caving in to those who want to make action and performed CPR compressions Toronto Star,Canada NewsWire,Windsor Star) wealth out of sickness.”(March 26) on the man when she saw he was in dis- RNAO Executive Director Doris tress. Beattie’s reluctant to view her actions Grinspun added that “these clinics spe- as heroic, noting it was all in a day’s work: cialize in cherry-picking patients and cut- “Hockey players go to work… score ting corners to make profits for sharehold- goals…I give out Band-Aids, hugs or do ers. Indeed, studies consistently show that CPR on people.”(April 1, CTV-TV not-for-profit centres provide better care, National, CHCH-TV Hamilton;April 2, at lower cost and with less mortality,than Globe and Mail,Toronto Star, CP Wire, for-profit centres.”(April 11, Toronto Star) Toronto Sun;April 3, Toronto Star;April 4, Metroland – Halton Division,Toronto Star; Community health NPs April 17, Kingston Whig-Standard). need pay hike Nurse practitioners in community health CAMH offers 11,000 addicts are lobbying for a pay raise, citing an free therapy as part of Jeff Lee at work absence of any increase since 2003.They smoking study in Afghanistan. say salaries are capped at $17,000 less than Smokers trying to kick the habit are get- what NPs earn in the hospital sector. ting help from Toronto’s Centre for Military nurse details his RNAO member and Guelph Community Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). encounter with a Taliban soldier Health NP Liz Hales says she loves her As many as 11,000 Ontario residents are RNAO member and Navy Lieutenant Jeff job, but she is troubled that NPs are not receiving free nicotine replacement thera- Lee works at the end of Kandahar’s airstrip, getting the respect they deserve:“The py (NRT) as part of a study on the battle tending to wounded soldiers both from the government says we’re an important part to quit. RNAO member and public health Canadian Forces and the Taliban.Lee says of the health-care system.Then we get this nurse Karen Taylor says,“It’s very popu- one of the more powerful experiences he’s disparity.”(May 22, Guelph Mercury) lar and it (NRT) is going fast.”Fellow had overseas was accepting the handshake member and public health nurse Jen Tonn of a Taliban soldier after providing the man RN saves man’s life at hockey agrees that demand is high:“It’s no secret with care.“I found [it] very rewarding to game most people who smoke would like to see that an individual was able to see that, as People across Ontario were talking about quit…NRT has been shown to double the a nursing officer, I am only there to provide RNAO member and pediatric emergency chances of success among smokers who patient care,”he said of the ongoing ani- nurse Julie Beattie in early April, shortly feel they can’t quit cold turkey and need mosity between Canadian and Taliban sol- after her quick thinking saved the life of a support to succeed.”(March 25, Port Hope diers. (May 14, London Free Press) man who collapsed in the stands during a Evening Guide; March 30, Metroland – Simcoe Division) Julie Beattie RNAO applauds Health leapt into Minister for stance on hip, action and RNs criticize physician knee surgeries performed CPR assistant pilot project on fellow fan in Ontario’s Health Minister George the stands. In late February,the Liberal government Smitherman was criticized this spring for announced a pilot project that would intro- his refusal to allow a private health-care duce the new role of physician assistant (PA) provider to ease knee and hip surgery wait into six of the province’s emergency rooms. times. RNAO stood behind the Minister’s RNAO members were opposed to the idea: stance, and in a letter to the National Post, • RNAO member and nurse practitioner RNAO President Mary Ferguson-Paré Susan Shea weighed in on behalf of NPs: said “private clinics drain surgeons, nurses “Why should the public open its arms to and other scarce practitioners away from unregulated physician assistants when the public sector…Nurses ask all politi- there are proven, competent nurses who

8 May/June 2007 1 6/1/07 5:47 PM Page 9

For complete versions of any of these stories, contact ws Tiffanie Ing at [email protected].

can provide this needed care? Should we immunization records.“It’s not that they’re Nurses manage chronic disease not recognize and expand on the nursing not immunized…We don’t have their Letter to the editor professionals who are available to provide records,”said RNAO member and Health The Toronto Star, March 31, 2007 this care and fast-track patients through Unit manager of vaccines Line Lauzon. Re: Act on chronic diseases to the ER? This seems to be the logical solu- Students in Lambton County,she says, are avoid ‘crisis’: Report (March 27) tion.”(May 2, Chatham Daily News) being suspended because of incomplete As a registered nurse who managed • RNAO member and long-term care vaccination records. RNAO member and a clinic for individuals with chronic nurse Maria Casas said “The (health) Community Health Services nurse obstructive pulmonary disease, I ministry is introducing a whole new cate- Rochelle Roberts discovered a similar have seen the positive impact gory of care provider, when we’re not problem in Sarnia:“Most (children) have chronic disease care has on patients clear we need another category at this already had the shots, but don’t have the and their families.The Ontario time…Regulation is a huge component of documentation.”(May 9, Windsor Star; Health Quality Council report stat- our concern, because there’s no standard to May 10, Sarnia This Week). ed that an important element of say ‘this is what a PA can do and this is chronic disease care is close moni- what they can’t do.’ There’s a lack of RNAO Policy Analyst Gail Beatty wrote a letter toring and timely interventions. patient safety.”(April 26, Sudbury Star;May that was published in the Toronto Star (right). Nurses’ knowledge and expertise 9, Timmins Daily Press). The letter was in response to an article about the are well-suited to managing chron- Ontario Health Quality Council, and its view ic disease and preventing complica- Kids need more records that more effort needs to go into improving care for tions.With a nurse providing this for vaccinations people with chronic disease.The article stated that kind of care, patients feel they have In early May, the Windsor-Essex County keeping better tabs on chronic care patients would more control over their disease. Health Unit discovered thousands of ele- limit medical complications, and would lower the Gail Beatty, RNAO,Toronto mentary school children had incomplete number of return visits to the hospital system. Out & About Below: Helen Tindale, a member of RNAO’s Wellington chapter (left), and Liberal MPP Liz Sandals (Guelph-Wellington) flip through the provincial government’s 2007 Budget after a presentation by Sandals on March 23. Tindale praised the Liberals for their commitment to children’s issues, poverty and the minimum wage, but took the opportunity to get clarifica- tion from Sandals on other important issues that did not receive as much attention (i.e. more funding for the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program)

Above: RNAO member Shirley Alvares (right) visited Turkey in February and had the rare opportunity to tour the Florence Nightingale Museum at the Selimiye Barracks in Istanbul. Above: RN Laurie Scott, Conservative MPP The barracks, which served as a military hos- for Haliburton-Victoria-Brock, listens to pital during the Crimean War, was the set- RNAO’s presentation on Bill 164, The ting for Florence Nightingale’s early nursing Community Right to Know Act. The legis- work. Security at the museum is high given lation, which aims to increase people’s it’s located on an active military base. right to know about harmful toxins and Visitors must supply a copy of their passport chemicals in consumer products, received at least 48 hours in advance and must pass RNAO’s support. through a security checkpoint and surrender their personal belongings.

Registered Nurse Journal 9 1 6/1/07 4:55 PM Page 10

by Shannon Landry, Peggy White, Dorothy Trimble

Nurses use a new tool to help them WHAT’S conduct patient assessments and THE SCORE? measure the care they provide. aren Goutouski, a Barrie nurse in dation that performance standards be There are two Ministry of Health and complex continuing care, has start- developed in nursing to promote quality Long-Term Care HOBIC coordinators Ked assessing the progress of her health outcomes. who train nurses on how to conduct patients with a new kind of excitement “I’m confident this will change the assessments, use the technology, and apply and enthusiasm. It’s mid-afternoon on way we understand and alter our the information in their care planning. Nov. 14, 2006, and she nabs her manager, approaches to care not only at RVH but One of the biggest challenges encountered Sandra Easson-Bruno, in the hall.“We had also with our partners in the community to date relates to limitations with electron- someone go from a 34 to a nine on their who are applying the same tools,” says ic documentation. Entering outcomes HOBIC score,”she tells her excitedly. Kirsten Krull-Naraj, Vice-President, into existing databases, and then transfer- Goutouski, who works at Royal Victoria Patient Services and Chief Nursing ring the information onto the HOBIC Hospital (RVH),is one of 800 nurses across Officer at RVH. database, can be difficult. Nurses and coor- the province who are conducting patient Since its launch last fall, 27 early dinators are working together to develop assessments using Health Outcomes for adopter sites in acute care, home care, strategies to ease these challenges. The Better Information and Care (HOBIC) complex continuing care and long-term partnerships are working, and these meas- measures.The scores are part of a new pro- care have signed on to collect these meas- ures can now be sent electronically to the gram to evaluate patients in nine focus ures. Nurses within these organizations are Ministry of Health from the bedside. RN Jan Sparling, in-services nursing The implementation of staff at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, is receiving lots of positive feed- the HOBIC project is “an back from nurses. “Today the best com- ment was:‘Boy, by the time you finish this opportunity for nurses assessment, you are really going to know the patient.’ How positive to think we will across Ontario to be collecting more efficient information to base our care planning on.” exhibit leadership... The 27 sites will soon become role mod- els for implementation in organizations understanding the impact within Ontario’s Central East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), as well as the of nursing care on client organizations within all LHINs by 2009. The government is also introducing Nurses receive HOBIC training. health outcomes.” HOBIC into the curriculum at colleges and universities across the province, pro- areas: functional status; bladder continence; coding their assessments of patients and viding all nurses entering the workforce therapeutic self-care; pain; nausea; fatigue; providing a score with a description of with the tools and knowledge to provide dyspnea; pressure ulcers; and falls. their findings. high quality care to their patients, residents Goutouski’s finding that her patient’s score Nancy Lefebre, Senior Vice President and clients. went from 34 to nine is good news. It means and Chief Clinical Executive at Saint For more information, visit www.health. an improvement in the patient’s functional Elizabeth Health Care, says HOBIC is gov.on.ca/hobic. status, and an increase in independence. invaluable in the home-care sector. “(It’s) The monitoring of HOBIC scores an opportunity for nurses across Ontario marks the first time nurses are standardiz- to exhibit leadership…understanding the SHANNON LANDRY, RN, BScN, MN, ing the collection of such data, and it impact of nursing care on client health IS HOBIC REGIONAL COORDINATOR means they can more accurately assess the outcomes,” she says. FOR THE NORTH SIMCOE MUSKOKA impact of the care they are providing. “For years we have struggled to collect LHIN. PEGGY WHITE, RN, MN, IS “They are, and should be, darn proud of the right information to understand the PROJECT MANAGER, HOBIC, MINISTRY themselves,”Easson-Bruno says. impact our care is having on patients,” OF HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE. HOBIC, formerly known as the Krull-Naraj says.“This tool will finally give DOROTHY TRIMBLE, RN, IS HOBIC Nursing Health Outcomes Project, was us the added dimensions of information we REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR THE developed in 1999 in response to a need to make better decisions about how HAMILTON NIAGARA HALDIMAND Provincial Nursing Task Force recommen- we use our resources and skills.” BRANT LHIN.

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by Jill Scarrow RN PROVIDES SUPPORT, CARE TO GROWING NUMBER OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN

Veronica Shillingford knows how it programs the centre offers women who ing the NP a better idea what the patient feels to find yourself in a new land where need time out from worrying about the was eating, and how to use that informa- children build snow forts instead of sand health of other family members so they tion to mange her care. castles, and where papayas tumble from gro- can focus on their own care. While there are many opportunities for cery-store shelves instead of the trees in the “Women should have a place to go Shillingford to help women access the care yard. In 1985, she left the Caribbean Island where they feel they are safe.We take care they need, there are sometimes obstacles of Dominica to come to Canada. But it of our patients, our children, but we never that leave her feeling frustrated and power- wasn’t easy. really have a place where everything is less, particularly those faced by women “I was very homesick. I missed my fam- centred on us,”Shillingford says. who may not be covered by OHIP ily, especially my mom. I cried a lot, and The community health centre, which because of their immigration status. when the winter came – oh my goodness, I opened its doors in 1980 and is funded pri- “It’s tremendous work (the clinic) is wanted to go back home,”she recalls. marily by the Ministry of Health,was created doing for these marginalized women,” she Fortunately, she decided to stay. If she to provide that specific attention. Men are says. “But when they get really sick, they hadn’t, she wouldn’t be able to help a not allowed into exam rooms while a have to get health care in an acute setting. growing number of immigrant women in There’s only so much we can do here.” Toronto as they cope with their own anxi- Sometimes, that can mean guiding a eties about living in a new land. woman through the hospital system. For the last two years, Shillingford has Shillingford says the clinic will pay for spe- worked at Toronto’s Women’s Health in cialist’s fees and diagnostic tests, but clients Women’s Hands (WHIWH), a Com– must pay for any other hospital fees. She munity Health Centre that provides admits this is sometimes difficult for new- women from the city’s Caribbean,African, comers who may be struggling just to earn Latin American and South Asian commu- minimum wage. nities with health care. That includes care Shillingford’s work at the centre is just for episodic illnesses, chronic diseases, pre- the latest step in a career she has dedicated and post-natal care, and health education. to easing the struggles of marginalized Many of the patients are also new to populations, whether they’ve just arrived Canada, and Shillingford says they’re often in Canada or have lived here all their lives. NAME: Veronica Shillingford relieved to hear it’s not unusual to feel Before joining the centre, she spent six OCCUPATION: Community Health Nurse, overwhelmed when they arrive in the years nursing in the First Nations commu- Women’s Health in Women’s Hands country. “They think they’re going crazy nity of St. Theresa Point, Manitoba. This HOME TOWN: Markham, Ontario or are from Mars,”she says.“I say to them, spring, as part of her NP studies, if I can do it, you can do it too…then they woman is receiving care. Shillingford says if a Shillingford temporarily left the centre to see that they are not different.” woman is being abused, this gives her the complete a six-week placement in When Shillingford immigrated to opportunity to open up. Shillingford does Pikangikum, an Ontario First Nations Canada more than 20 years ago, she was a her best to link those women with shelters community 300 km north of Fort Frances. shy 25-year-old who spoke Creole, a and other services. Once she finishes her NP studies this French-based language, and English. But In addition to helping clients who find September, Shillingford says she’s not sure she says the difference between her accent themselves in threatening situations, the what she will do.While she loves her work and the Canadian accent made English centre is also a place where women can at WHIWH,she says she sometimes misses sound lika a different language. express their feelings about their health working with diverse populations, includ- Despite these initial language chal- and gender through arts programs. They ing men and children of all ages. lenges, Shillingford has completed her can also see health professionals who Regardless of where Shillingford ends nursing diploma, her BScN, and is current- understand the culture of their home up, she says she’ll continue to share her love ly working on her nurse practitioner cer- country. Shillingford recalls being asked by of nursing with every patient she meets. tificate at York University. a colleague to interpret a Caribbean “I’m passionate about nursing,” she says. At WHIWH, she works with nurse patient’s description of her diet. The “The cards I get…the testimonies about practitioners, social workers and physicians woman kept describing her ‘provisions,’ how I’ve touched the lives of others…they who, together, run the centre’s prenatal which are staples of the West Indies’ diet, really make me feel the work is worth it.” program for women and children up to including green bananas and plantains. the age of six months. It’s just one of the Shillingford decoded the information, giv- JILL SCARROW IS STAFF WRITER AT RNAO

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Sense of GL BAL CITIZENSHIP sends RNs overseas Five Ontario RNs travel to troubled parts of the world, and offer important perspectives on nurses’ moral responsibility to engage in international nursing. BY ANILA SUNNAK

innocent and haunting question. problems as poverty, inadequate funding to “I REALLY CAN’T Spinica then requested a song, and a mili- build and maintain health-care infrastructure, describe the feelings I tary interpreter obliged with a local lullaby. lack of training and education for health pro- experienced at that Chubbs smoothed her hair while the young- fessionals, lack of medical supplies and poor moment…they were ster drifted to sleep. “This very injured little water quality.Consequently,the cry for nurs- profound,”says Captain girl only wanted for a song and this simple es – who serve as the backbone of primary Scott Chubbs. wish was enough to help restore peace to her health care, especially in developing coun- The Canadian Forces shattered world,”marvels Chubbs. tries – is heard around the world. Canadian emergency and critical care nurse is telling Chubbs’ intense, seven-month mission RNs like Chubbs, with their advanced train- the poignant story of caring for eight-year- afforded him the unique opportunity to ing and skills, are answering that call. old Spinica, an Afghan girl who stepped on provide emergency care for serious injuries Arriving in Afghanistan, a rugged, a land mine and was rushed to the military not only to Canadian soldiers, but also to the mountainous country located in the heart hospital where Chubbs was stationed over local Afghan population. He saw how war of Asia, Chubbs was far from the familiar Christmas 2005.The little girl, whose name leaves many – like little Spinica – susceptible and secure health-care settings he was used means ‘white’ in the local language of to injury, disease and emerging pandemics. to in quiet, small-town Borden, Ontario. He Pashtu, had lost her right foot and three fin- And he says he now has a new understand- describes his first few days as surreal. gers from her left hand. ing of how some of the world’s most vulner- Eighteen-hour shifts were common, and “On Christmas Eve she woke up in the able populations have restricted access to teamwork between the Canadian, Ame– middle of the night and asked me…when primary health care not only because of war, rican, British, and Dutch health-care pro– her fingers were going to grow back,”says but also natural disasters. viders was essential. During his mission, Chubbs. He recalls feeling at a loss wonder- In the poorer regions of the globe, health there were varying numbers of health-care ing how to answer the frightened child’s is severely compromised by such common providers acting as doctors, nurses, medical

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Stephanie de Young spent a month in Honduras as part of a student-organized exchange from the University of Toronto. 2 6/1/07 5:43 PM Page 14

primary health-care mandate developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1985: If the millions of nurses in a thousand dif- ferent places articulate the same ideas and convic- tions about primary health care, and come togeth- er as one force, then they could act as a power- house for change. WHO, through various policy state- ments and reports, has strongly called on governments everywhere to provide a greater role for nurses in health-care deci- sion making. This is due to the fact that nurses make up more than 50 per cent of the world’s health workforce. WHO indi- cates that, in developing countries, this fig- Scott Chubbs tends to ure is closer to 80 per cent. a patient in Afghanistan. McNairn, a nursing professor at Toronto’s technicians, mental health experts, dentists, leagues who are also heading back,”he says. George Brown College, has lots of interna- orthopedic surgeons and pharmacists. According to June Webber, Director of tional nursing experience. Late next fall, she “Virtually all our patients – military and International Policy Development at the heads off for a one-month volunteer nursing civilian – were trauma patients,”says Chubbs. Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), adventure at Mother Theresa’s mission in The soldiers were treated for injuries sus- “…being part of the solution to global New Delhi, India. She will be teaching tained from firearms, mines or bombs. The health-care challenges is a longstanding tra- nutrition and infant care to underprivileged Afghan civilians were generally injured by dition among Canadian nurses.” In fact, new mothers, among other duties. land mines, motor vehicle crashes, oil and Canada, through the lead of CNA, was one Through her academic work, McNairn generator burns at home or in their villages, of the first countries to join the Inter– is also striving to create a comprehensive or from falls from cliffs and buildings. “We national Council of Nurses (ICN) in 1908, international volunteer nursing opportuni- were nursing in a constant life or death envi- throwing its support behind the interna- ties database for Canadian nurses, to be ronment,”he says, adding that the experience tional body’s commitment to represent released next year. “accelerated” his acute, palliative and emer- nursing worldwide, advancing the profes- She says the forum is just one of many gency nursing skills and knowledge. sion and influencing health policy globally. ways the group is helping nurses interested It also accelerated his anxiety levels. At the provincial level, RNAO’s in international work. This spring, INIG “I definitely had butterflies in my stom- International Nursing Interest officially joined RNAO’s Nurse - ach when I heard the hospital’s warning Group (INIG) is also pro- Café, an online social net- alarms go off,” he says of the day-to-day moting more awareness “It was the work. Through its mem- wartime dangers the team faced. He often of nurses’roles in glob- most challenging, bership, INIG hopes to heard rockets whistling close to camp, and al health care. The connect nurses who found himself “…waiting to hear where group hosted a for– rewarding and want to go abroad and (they) would land and explode.” um in Toronto last those who already Chubbs admits the challenges didn’t stop fall, devoting most interesting clinical have the experience. It in Afghanistan. Returning home and fitting of the discussions environment I also hopes this new back into your old life isn’t always easy, he to exploring Primary social network will says.“It took about six months to be able to Health Care in the have ever promote relationships slow down and stop feeling on edge. I was Global Village.The sym- that help guide nurses constantly waiting for the trauma pager to posium drew many stu- worked in.“ new to Canada.“These new go off.”It also took a while to stop listening dent nurses, a testament to online connections lead to for rocket attacks and preparing to seek the key role that nursing schools mentorships which are key to mak- cover.“I think the next time I return back to are increasingly playing in educating tomor- ing our global contributions more effective,” Canada from that environment, being aware row’s nurses about global health. explains McNairn. of this mind-set will help make it easier.” Newly-elected INIG Chair, Cindy The Canadian International Develo- Despite its many difficulties, Chubbs’ first McNairn, says the group’s main aim is to pment Agency (CIDA) and the Canadian international nursing experience was so life- “educate and empower”nurses.She says INIG’s Society for International Health (CSIH) changing that he has volunteered to go back membership,which has roughly doubled in the are two other agencies that are carving out to Afghanistan this summer.“It was the most last two years to 200, is further proof of rising opportunities for nurses to practice abroad. challenging, rewarding and interesting clini- global awareness in the profession. Faye Porter, the former VP of National cal environment I have ever worked in.I have The fall forum was organized with one Programs and Volunteerism at the Victorian heard similar sentiments from previous col- goal in mind: to raise awareness about the Order of Nurses (VON) Canada, is one of

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those nurses. Porter now works as a health- care consultant for CSIH. She provided the keynote address at INIG’s fall conference, offering an inspiring slideshow and details of her experiences on a project in Guyana that focuses on strengthening primary care in the poorly resourced South American country.The mission started in 2003 and is still ongoing. Porter’s opening slide of a rich green Guyanese landscape belies the country’s pervasive poverty. Guyana’s health-care sys- tem is coping with rising rates of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis (TB). Porter’s project focuses on three main areas of primary care Faye Porter (left) makes a donation, on behalf of the staff of VON Canada, to the Guyana RReded Cross Convalescent Home, commonly referred to as ‘the orphanage.’ reform: the creation of national programs for the prevention and control of TB and challenging: “It was a great lesson in going These long-standing systemic issues do not HIV/AIDS; the implementation of an elec- with the flow…and adapting your skills to seem to dampen the growing international tronic health information system for very basic and impoverished conditions,”she commitment of young Canadian nurses – like HIV/AIDS and TB; and the establishment says. “Also, there were a lot of cultural Stephanie de Young – who want to offer help of a home and community based training assumptions I had to check at the door.” to people and places in need. program for health-care providers. Despite a diagnosis of breast cancer dur- de Young, a newly graduated RN, just During a visit in 2004, Porter helped to ing the project, Porter has courageously started her career in pediatrics at Toronto’s train many Guyanese nurses in diverse pub- pressed on with her strong commitment to Hospital for Sick Children. She also holds a lic health areas. One of her main contribu- the mission. Now in her 50’s, she offers this degree in International Development from tions was the creation of an infectious dis- optimistic advice:“You are never too old to McGill University. de Young spent a month ease prevention manual now being used by take on new challenges and make a mean- in Honduras in 2005, part of a student- many rural health clinics. She says the proj- ingful contribution in nursing.” organized exchange from the University of ect has also been successful at teaching lead- She cautions, however, that because the Toronto’s faculty of nursing. An enterpris- ership and clinical skills related to home health-care system is severely under-funded ing group of nursing students led a care. And it has made some inroads in edu- and the infrastructure so inadequate, you fundraising drive to finance trips abroad to cating health-care workers about caring for have to think long-term when working work on diverse international nursing proj- AIDS and TB patients. towards improvements in health care in ects and placements. “Many Guyanese health-care workers places like Guyana. Summing up her years of de Young and five other nursing students refuse to care for AIDS patients,”she says.“So, intermittent involvement, she says: “The chose to volunteer in a non-profit, privately I led by example…showing (them) it was safe problems run so deep. Canadian nurses are run rural clinic in one of Honduras’ remote to touch and treat these suffering people.” making a difference in Guyana at the towns, Danli. The under-resourced walk-in Porter admits her first trip to this foreign ground level, but maybe not having a big clinic, run by American health-care profes- and unfamiliar nursing setting in 2003 was impact on the system.” sionals, was established in 1998, following

Strengthening primary health care in Ethiopia: CNA’s Needlestick Injuries Research Project Frontline nursing on foreign shores is not Association (ENA). safe so they are able to continue to serve a the only way Canadian nurses are improving “Keeping nurses free of needlestick population that desperately needs them. access to primary care around the world. injury (NSI) is key to delivering primary care An initial survey of needlestick injuries They also play an important role in creating in Ethiopia,” says RN Nadia Hamel, nurse shows that over 30 per cent of Ethiopian nurses programs and conducting research right consultant and the Canadian project manag- reported an NSI in the last year, and over 60 here at home, working in partnership with er for the NSI project. “They are the back- per cent at least once in their career. Hamel nurses in developing countries to strengthen bone of the system, so without healthy nurs- says: “This is just one of many CNA partner- nursing workforces and health-care systems es, who will provide care?” ships to strengthen nursing associations and in poorer countries. One example is the The project’s goal is to ensure the safety nurses for the advancement of global health Needlestick Injury Research Project, a collab- of Ethiopia’s nursing workforce by educating and equity.” RN oration between the Canadian Nurses nurses about NSI and exposure to body fluids. Association (CNA) and the Ethiopian Nurses It also teaches nurses how to keep themselves

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the devastation of Hurricane Mitch. The clinic serves peasant workers living within Trip to El Salvador inspires RN an 80-kilometre radius. Many suffer from gastro-intestinal problems from water-borne RN Marion Willms has seen the terrible toll ness or injury on cracked and worn vinyl beds. disease, malnutrition and minor health con- that war, poor health-care resources and Willms returned to Canada on May 4 ditions that are exacerbated by a lack of poverty can have on the health and well- and resumed her regular work as a treatment. ness of people abroad. She’s traveled to resource float nurse at Cambridge Because the patients live in the moun- several countries to volunteer as a nurse. Memorial Hospital. She says the memories tains, they often don’t seek medical attention For two weeks this spring, she toured pri- of her time away are motivating her to until their symptoms are quite advanced, mary health-care projects in the Central raise funds for medical supplies. She’s also reports de Young. American country of El Salvador. gathering a team of Canadian RNs to She says her days were always busy:“The “Today, I visited a community…that was return to the country to help with health- clinic opened at 8:00 a.m., but people start- severely damaged during the war about 10 care projects. ed to line-up at 6:30 a.m. …we saw about years ago, and is (still) struggling to rebuild,” She says she was inspired by the El 50 patients a day,” who received care if they she wrote in an e-mail message delivered to Salvadoran people, including five women paid 50 lempiras per visit, about three colleagues and friends during her trip. “The who began living together after their fami- Canadian dollars. community has 250 families. There are no lies were displaced or killed in the 12-year Working with Spanish-speaking transla- health-care providers…they have not seen a civil war. Today, those women operate a tors, the nursing students did the initial doctor for more than two years. They are craft business and use the proceeds to sup- clinical assessments, taking patient histories subsistence farmers, and do not have the port their community. and vital signs. de Young says common money to take the bus to a clinic.” “I have been so deeply touched by the health problems ranged from colds, to Willms’ curiosity about El Salvador was resiliency and continuing energy of these wounds, to stomach worms, muscular and piqued after she heard a humanitarian activist people,” Willms wrote during her trip. neck pain from hard labour, ear infections, from that country speak in Guelph. Shortly “Words cannot describe the emotions I vaginal infections, diarrhea, fevers and thereafter she was planning a trip for this have experienced over the past nine days.” uncontrolled diabetes. spring. While away, she toured a small hospi- Because of the language barrier de Young tal catering to a population of 40,000. The Are you interested in traveling to El and her fellow volunteers posed questions in facility had a blood pressure cuff, but no Salvador, or making a donation to help unconventional ways: “Gestures and miming stethoscope. It also didn’t have any ther- provide medical supplies to the country? often went a long way in helping us under- mometers, intravenous supplies, or even bed Contact [email protected]. stand each other,”she laughs. linen. Many patients had to recover from ill- One of the troubling things the group began to understand through its questioning remedy that helped soothe wounds, but left ing practice was greatly enhanced.” was that some of the patients at this clinic were them looking more serious and bruised upon And this is just one way the personal and taking over-the-counter antibiotics as a examination because of their purple hue. professional journeys of nurses like Chubbs, panacea for all of their health problems. The In the end, de Young says these some- McNairn, Porter, and de Young strengthen nurses soon realized that patient education times perplexing customs greatly enhanced Canada’s health-care system. would be key to preventing adverse drug reac- her nursing skills.“Without the technology All also agree that international practice tions and promoting health through nutrition and other health-care supports that we’re and volunteer opportunities better prepare and information about other community used to in Canada, we had to really focus, nurses to care for Canada’s increasingly health resources.The students were also initial- observe and listen to our patients’ stories multicultural population and marginalized ly confused by the use of a local violet flower and symptoms. In this way, our basic nurs- communities. They also emphasize their expanded sense of global citizenship, and Want to know more about international nursing? their desire to continue with other interna- tional contributions in nursing and com- munity development. • RNAO, www.rnao.org (follow quick links to the China de Young notes:“I’d say I learned a lot of Project, the BPG Italy Partnership, and the International Nursing cultural competence. Being immersed in an Interest Group (INIG)) unfamiliar culture and language gives you a • Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), www.cna-nurses.ca new appreciation for what newcomers in • International Council of Nurses (ICN), www.icn.ch Canada must deal with.You also realize how • Canadian Society of International Health, www.csih.ca privileged you are to work in North • Canadian Association of University Schools of American settings,and the moral responsibil- Nursing, www.casn.ca ity we have to use our resources wisely.” RN • Public Health Agency of Canada, www.phac-aspc.gc.ca • Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Canada, www.von.ca ANILA SUNNAK IS A FREELANCE WRITER IN TORONTO

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AGM 07 CELEBRATING NURSES’ VOICES AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Former provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health Sheela Basrur, (left) and author Michele Landsberg (right) joined Premier Dalton Left to right: Voting delegates Ronald Charette, Don Wildfong, Danielle McGuinty (centre) as guests at the 82nd AGM. Basrur, Landsberg Dorschner and Brenda Ceaser joined outgoing Region 11 RNAO board mem- and former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen ber Paul-André Gauthier (centre) at the reception before the AGM’s official Lewis, (absent) received honourary RNAO memberships. opening ceremonies on April 19.

April 19 and 20, RNAO members met in Members also had the chance to celebrate the work of three Markham for the 82nd Annual General prominent public figures who are neither RNs nor politicians, but Meeting (AGM).This year’s theme, who have made extraordinary contributions to health care and social Celebrating Nurses’Voices, was the backdrop issues. Sheela Basrur, Ontario’s former Chief Medical Officer of for the event. More than 600 nurses partici- Health, Michele Landsberg, an author and Chair of the Board at Opated in theN celebration of the association’s accomplishments over Women’s College Hospital,and Stephen Lewis, former United the past year, and began looking ahead for ways to continue to Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, received honourary build the nursing profession and improve health care. RNAO memberships on April 20. Basrur was honoured for her Representatives from across RNAO’s 12 regions, 39 chapters, efforts to improve access to health care for all, and her leadership and 30 interest groups played a pivotal role in ensuring those during the SARS outbreaks in 2003. Landsberg and Lewis were improvements to nursing and health care by debating and voting honoured for their commitment to humanitarian issues (see page 19 on 10 resolutions ranging in focus from the environmental deter- for more information and award recipient biographies). minants of cancer, best practices to alleviate the risk of sudden “We are deeply honoured to count ourselves part of one of infant death syndrome (SIDS), and incentives to increase the Ontario’s most exciting,dynamic social justice and equity-seeking number of nursing students doing placements in rural areas (see movements,”Landsberg said on behalf of herself and Lewis, who is page 22 for full details). also her husband. Premier Dalton McGuinty dropped by on April 20 to thank Basrur, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, also spoke with nurses for their work. He took the opportunity to also speak about gratitude at the AGM, her first public appearance since announcing his government’s efforts to improve health care and the social deter- her illness.“I have learned so much from nurses over the years and minants of health. His Friday appearance followed a visit at have always felt a part of their professional family,”she said.“Now, Thursday’s opening ceremonies by Health Minister George finally,it is official.” Smitherman, who reminded nurses of the government’s accomplish- This year’s AGM also marked the end of Immediate Past ments to enhance the profession since taking office in 2003. President Joan Lesmond’s involvement on RNAO’s board of direc- Conservative Leader John Tory was also a guest at the opening tors, and the introduction of President-Elect Wendy Fucile. In her ceremonies on Thursday.He praised RNAO’s Take Your MPP to Work first public address to the membership, Fucile told RNs and nursing initiative, which happens during Nursing Week each year, as a students that she is committed to celebrating the richness of all the benchmark that other organizations can use to influence politics. profession’s perspectives. Hamilton East NDP MPP Andrea Horwath spoke on behalf of “I hear the celebration of our voices the way people hear a sym- Leader Howard Hampton, commending RNAO for addressing phony,” she said.“I hear many different tunes, many different instru- social determinants of health. ments, many different rhythms of great complexity…it is that com- But the AGM wasn’t only about politics. plexity that is part of the richness of our shared profession.” RN

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AGM 07

PHOTO 1 During the April 19 assem- bly meeting, Claudine Bennett, Region 4 board member, re-created the experience of being interviewed by a television reporter. Her presen- tation was one of three that involved members, and focused on media interviews, writing letters to the editor, and being published in Registered Nurse Journal. PHOTO 2 In her first speech to mem- 1 2 bers, RNAO President-Elect Wendy Fucile outlined her hopes for the next four years. PHOTO 3 Sheryl McPherson (left) and Lesreen Romain (right) chat with Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman during the AGM’s opening ceremonies. PHOTO 4 (L to R): Outgoing Region 3 representative Maria Scattolon and Niagara chapter voting delegates Connie Wightman, Sandra 4 Romagnoli and Michelle Bliss social- ize at a cocktail reception before the 3 opening ceremonies. PHOTO 5 At the assembly meeting, RNAO President Mary Ferguson-Paré (right) and Executive Director Doris Grinspun (left) presented Immediate Past-President Joan Lesmond with a gift of thanks for her contribution to the board of directors. PHOTO 6 Andrea Horwath, NDP MPP for Hamilton East, spoke at the opening ceremonies on behalf of Leader Howard Hampton. PHOTO 7 RNAO members Ann Brokenshire (left) and Maureen 5 6 Gmitrowicz were invited by the com- munications department to share their expertise on writing letters to the edi- tor. They helped lead one of the three workshops held on April 19. PHOTO 8 (L to R): Dianna Harrison, Sharron Bernard, Cynthia Harris, and Lorna Walker celebrate the start of RNAO’s 82nd AGM during a cocktail reception before the opening ceremonies. PHOTO 9 Students from York 7 8 University’s program for internation- ally educated nurses participated in the AGM and had the opportunity to discuss their experiences with Conservative Leader John Tory. (L to R) Dana Lang, Fenny You, Xavier Deborah-Grant, Fareeda Mohamed and Tory. PHOTO 10 At a workshop hosted by the communications department on April 19, RNAO member Nicole Sykes talks about the experience of becom- ing a published author in Registered Nurse Journal. 9 10

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RNAO HONOURARY and new immigrants so they instrumental in having the orga- ues to push for a UN agency MEMBERSHIP have access to health care. Late nization’s independence reinstat- for women. RNAO’s Honourary last year, personal health con- ed. She is the recipient of many In the 1970s, Lewis led Membership is granted to an cerns forced Basrur to step journalism and social justice Ontario’s NDP before individual or individuals who down from her position as awards, including two National going on to work at the have made an outstanding Ontario’s Chief Medical Newspaper Awards, a Media United Nations as Canadian contribution to the nursing Officer of Health, where her Watch Award, the YWCA Ambassador to the UN. He profession in the areas of nurs- leadership in health promotion Women of Distinction Award, was also Deputy Executive ing practice, education, admin- and public health will leave a and the Governor General’s Director of UNICEF,an inves- istration or research.The win- lasting impression on the Award in Commemoration of tigator on the panel that exam- ner(s) demonstrate outstanding province for years to come. the 1929 Persons Case, which ined the Rwandan genocide, national and/or international Basrur also served as an allowed women to be appointed and Chair of the first leadership in nursing. Assistant Deputy Minister for to the Senate. International Conference on Recipients do not have to be both the Ministry of Health Climate Change. members of the association. and Long-Term Care and the Today,Lewis is the inaugural Sheela Basrur, Michele Ministry of Health Promotion. Scholar-in-Residence at Landsberg and Stephen McMaster University’s Lewis have been chosen as the Institute on Globalization and distinguished recipients of the the Human Condition. He 2007 Honourary Membership. became a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2003, was awarded the International Council of Nurses’ Health and Between 2001 and 2006, Human Rights Award in 2005, Stephen Lewis was United and received the Pearson Peace Nations Special Envoy for Medal from the UN For decades, Michele HIV/AIDS in Africa. In his Association of Canada in 2004. Landsberg has spoken out on role, he gave a voice to mil- Two years ago,TIME magazine issues of women’s rights, human lions of individuals struggling named him one of the most rights and social justice. For 25 with HIV/AIDS.Through his influential people in the world. In 2003, Sheela Basrur, then years, she wrote a passionate public profile and bestselling Medical Officer of Health for column in the Toronto Star. She book, Race Against Time, he has RNAO AWARD OF MERIT the City of Toronto, was front- is also the author of several drawn attention to the plight RNAO’s Award of Merit and-centre during the SARS books, and has written and spo- of African women, children recognizes a registered nurse outbreaks that killed 44 people ken on countless occasions and grandmothers who have who has made outstanding and put the province’s health- about how nurses play an been left to raise grandchildren contributions to RNAO care system — and those who important role in advancing orphaned by AIDS. and to nursing in Ontario. work in it — under tremen- healthy public policy.A breast Lewis has also tirelessly Winners have demonstrated dous strain. Her leadership cancer survivor, Landsberg con- advocated for nurses, calling responsibility for professional earned her the respect of pub- tinues to investigate environ- them the ‘linchpin’in the fight development and are exemplary lic health authorities around mental links to the disease. against the pandemic.Although role models and peers. Yvette the world. Landsberg has served on the his position as envoy has offi- Laforêt-Fliesser Basrur has spoken out on boards of many organizations. cially ended, Lewis continues and Nancy Lefebre have the role nurses play in improv- She is currently Chair of the his work on HIV/AIDS as been chosen as the distin- ing lives, and has advocated for Board at Women’s College board chair for the Stephen guished recipients of the supports for women, children Hospital, where she has been Lewis Foundation. He contin- 2007 Award of Merit.

Board of Directors 2007-08

MARY FERGUSON-PARÉ WENDY FUCILE APRIL RIETDYK ANNA WILSON MARLENE SLEPKOV CLAUDINE BENNETT DORIS CASSAN PRESIDENT PRESIDENT-ELECT REGION 1 REGION 2 REGION 3 REGION 4 REGION 5

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AGM 07

Champion. She is also a mem- ships. Saint Elizabeth has also ber of the team implementing implemented the Developing and evaluating the smoking and Sustaining Nursing cessation guideline at MLHU. Leadership Healthy Work Laforêt-Fliesser has dedicat- Environment BPG. ed countless hours to advocat- Lefebre supports and men- ing for public health in tors colleagues, including those schools.To advance this cause, completing RNAO Advanced she lobbies politicians and gov- Clinical/Practice Fellowships or Throughout her 30-year ernment officials. She is also a participating in nursing gradu- quality of health care. career, Yvette Laforêt- founding member of the ate programs. She encourages Fliesser has made invaluable Ontario Healthy Schools colleagues to become RNAO Norma Nicholson is a contributions to community Coalition.As a nursing profes- members, and is a member of Service Manager at West Park health nursing not only sor at the University of RNAO’s Nursing Leadership Healthcare Centre in Toronto. through her work at the Western Ontario, Laforêt- Network of Ontario, the She is also Co-Chair of Middlesex-London Health Fliesser implemented new cur- Community Health Nurses’ RNAO’s Peel chapter, and Unit (MLHU), but also ricula, provided leadership to Initiatives Group, and the President of the Alzheimer through volunteer activities, create a new collaborative pro- Ontario Nursing Informatics Society of Peel. Nicholson her teaching career, and men- gram in nursing, and has won Interest Group. works to improve nursing and torship to countless colleagues. several teaching awards. Lefebre is committed to her health care every day.At West As the manager of Family education. She has earned a Park, she helps ensure RNAO’s Health Services at MLHU, master of science in nursing, clinical and healthy work envi- Laforêt-Fliesser consistently and completed the Executive ronment BPGs are used in all receives praise from her col- Training for Research aspects of care. She also encour- leagues for her supportive Application (EXTRA) fellow- ages staff to go back to school approach, mentorship and ship program. She has also or enrol in RNAO conferences leadership. She also devotes her received her Certified Health and other professional develop- volunteer time to improving Executive (CHE) designation ment activities. nursing and health care. from the Canadian College of Recognizing the impor- Laforêt-Fliesser helped pre- Health Service Executives. tance of full-time jobs, pare the first CNA certifica- Nancy Lefebre is Chief Nicholson ensures 70 per cent tion exam for community Clinical Executive and Senior RNAO LEADERSHIP of nurses at West Park have full- health nurses, and has con- Vice-President of Knowledge AWARD IN NURSING time work. Her efforts have tributed to public health and Practice at Saint Elizabeth ADMINISTRATION been making a difference to through her work as a board Health Care. She integrates RNAO’s Leadership Award in patients: 98 per cent of ambula- member of the Community evidence into both her clinical Nursing Administration recog- tory patients surveyed said they Health Nurses Association of practice and management nizes an RN who provides were satisfied with their overall Canada. She is also past presi- work. She was a panel member exemplary nursing management care, an increase of nearly 30 dent of RNAO’s Community for RNAO’s Client Centred in an acute, long-term care, per cent over previous years. Health Nurses Initiatives Care best practice guideline community,education, research She also spreads her passion Group and a former vice presi- (BPG). Under her leadership, or other setting.The winner is a for nursing throughout her vol- dent of RNAO’s Middlesex Saint Elizabeth has implement- role model in nursing adminis- unteer work. In addition to her chapter. She has been a mem- ed and evaluated several clini- tration, implementing innova- duties as chapter co-chair, she is ber of the Enhancing Healthy cal BPGs, including those tive ideas to enhance patient a nurse ambassador who visits Adolescent Development BPG focusing on pain management care and demonstrating a com- classrooms to encourage stu- panel, and is a Best Practice and on therapeutic relation- mitment to improving the dents to become nurses. Last fall,

Board of Directors 2007-08 (continued)

VACANT CARMEN JAMES-HENRY RHONDA SEIDMAN-CARLSON MARNIE DAHL NANCY WATTERS DAVID MCNEIL KATHLEEN FITZGERALD REGION 6 REGION 7 REGION 8 REGION 9 REGION 10 REGION 11 REGION 12

20 May/June 2007 2 6/1/07 5:01 PM Page 21

Nancy Watters and Lisa Richter accept the Interest Norma Nicholson, Claudine Bennett, and Jannine Bolton accept the Chapter of the Group of the Year Award on behalf of CNIG. Year Award on behalf of Peel chapter.

Nicholson completed RNAO’s babies and families have the best ment of its leadership execu- local vigils that commemorate political training program and start in life.The group has tive by recruiting new execu- the National Day of has participated in many media worked with RNAO and other tive members and helping Remembrance and Action on interviews and meetings with interest groups to create post- them develop the leadership Violence Against Women. politicians to share the unique partum depression workshops. skills necessary to build on Members also regularly speak perspective nurses bring to CNIG members have also par- the group’s success. out on issues such as public health-care discussions. ticipated on several best practice health and the evolution of guideline panels, and actively RNAO CHAPTER OF THE Local Health Integration RNAO INTEREST GROUP promote the guidelines at their YEAR AWARD Networks (LHINs) by OF THE YEAR AWARD workplaces and conferences RNAO’s Chapter of the Year writing letters to the editor RNAO’s Interest Group of the around the province. Award is presented to the and participating in print Year Award is given to the CNIG’s executive officers chapter, or region without and broadcast interviews.The group that best demonstrates have lobbied provincial politi- chapters, that demonstrates chapter also takes its lobbying commitment to RNAO cians to implement the the best commitment to directly to decision makers through active participation in WHO/UNICEF Baby participation in RNAO.The by regularly participating in association initiatives.The inter- Friendly Initiative (BFI), chapter effectively communi- RNAO’s Day at Queen’s Park est group effectively communi- which promotes and supports cates through a variety of and writing letters to MPPs. cates through a variety of media breastfeeding in Ontario methods, influences decision Last fall, three chapter mem- and methods, influences deci- health-care organizations. makers, and demonstrates bers participated in RNAO’s sion makers, mobilizes RNs for They have also been instru- strong leadership and team- political training sessions. action, and exhibits exemplary mental in publicizing the link work within the nursing and Peel chapter also actively teamwork and strong leadership between breastfeeding and health-care communities. recruits new RNAO members. within the nursing and health- childhood obesity.In 2006, Its executive and members pro- care communities. RNAO received the Annual With more than 2,300 mem- mote membership among all Breastfeeding Award of bers, Peel chapter strives to Peel nurses, sponsor memberships The Childbirth Nurses excellence as a result of promote nursing, health care for new graduates, and encour- Interest Group (CNIG) has CNIG’s nomination. and social determinants of age new members to become more than 2,000 members who CNIG is committed to health in its community. voting delegates at RNAO’s are committed to ensuring that fostering growth and develop- Chapter executive take part in annual general meeting. RN

ESTHER GREEN JUDY BRITNELL SYLVIA RODGERS ELSABETH JENSEN HILDA SWIRSKY CONNIE KUC DORIS GRINSPUN MAL ADMINISTRATION MAL NURSING EDUCATION MAL NURSING PRACTICE MAL NURSING RESEARCH MAL SOCIO-POLITICAL AFFAIRS INTEREST GROUP REP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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AGM 07

Words of wisdom: One nursing student reflects on his experience at RNAO’s annual general meeting

students, we hear time general meeting. I had a vague It’s amazing that nobody people knowing what was going ASand again that we’re the idea of RNAO’s work and knew seems to have one single job. on everywhere else. Home future of nursing. It may take a I should use its best practice There are people creating poli- office had an aura of support and while to understand what this guidelines to get better marks in cies, and others traveling the passion that I had no idea a means, but I hope my recollec- school,but I also knew there was world promoting health and workplace could ever have. tion of recent experiences with a lot more to understand. making connections while influ- This sense of support was RNAO will help students realize My placement began with encing change on a grand scale. very important to my experi- how true it really is. two days of orientation at So grand, in fact, that RNAO can ence. Not only did I see it My name is Chris Frost, and RNAO home office.It is a beau- be thanked for many of the things between the staff at RNAO, but I’m a student at Trent University. tiful place, inside and out. Every people take for granted,including I saw it throughout the three I attended a one-week place- corner I turned, I met a smiling full-time work opportunities. days I spent at the annual gener- ment with RNAO to see what face busying about doing their Every person was active in al meeting. I felt like an integral the organization is about, what thing. I instantly wondered what supporting and assisting the rest part of this support. Every single the movers and shakers of the the staff was actually doing, and of the activities of the associa- person – staff, nurse, politician, nursing profession are working that is exactly what the orienta- tion. It was as if nothing could student – was welcomed and on, and to attend the annual tion meant to answer. work efficiently without other praised for their choice to be

Resolutions Resolution #3 RNs help shape course of action for the future Submitted by Helen Nightingale, RNAO Member RNAO encourages chapters, regions without chapters, interest THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RNAO restore the tra- groups, and individual members to submit resolutions for ratifica- ditional Code of Ethics in place at RNAO’s inception and solicit the tion at each annual general meeting (AGM). Resolutions are part College of Nurses to do the same. of RNAO’s democratic process, giving all members the opportu- Status: Died on the floor (was not moved or seconded) nity to propose a course of action for the association. In the inter- est of democracy,the Provincial Resolutions Committee does not Resolution #4 endorse or censor resolutions.All resolutions that have met the Submitted by Lesreen Romain, Carol Anderson and Thom Chambers, on required format are distributed to RNAO members for consider- behalf of Durham Northumberland Chapter ation in advance of the AGM. In this issue of Registered Nurse THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RNAO lobby the Journal, we reveal voting delegates’ decisions on each proposed res- Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Minister of Health olution at the 2007 AGM. Promotion and the Minister of Finance for major funding to sup- port the development and implementation of bariatric care along Resolution #1 with appropriate equipment and diagnostic equipment/tools Submitted by Kim English, Faculty Trent/Fleming Nursing Program, on needed to meet the holistic health care needs of this population behalf of the 4thYear Students across Ontario. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the RNAO support Status: Carried and encourage the on-going development of opportunities for nursing students to facilitate political action. Resolution #5 Status: Carried Submitted by Sandra Romagnoli, on behalf of Niagara Chapter THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RNAO will promote Resolution #2 awareness and educate health care professionals and others about Submitted by Jan Levesque, on behalf of Waterloo Region Chapter literacy and clear language issues in the delivery of all aspects of THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RNAO support provin- health care. cially focused social marketing strategies targeted at all caregivers of Status: Carried infants less than one year of age, including education and interven- tion, given expanding evidence-based guidelines for best sleeping practices for infants that are known to modify the risk of SIDS. Status: Carried

22 May/June 2007 2 6/1/07 5:48 PM Page 23

involved in creating a better If I only knew then what I health-care system together. “EVERY SINGLE PERSON – know now, I would know that I realized that by choosing there is a whole organization of nursing, I have chosen not only staff, nurse, politician, student professionals who have dedicat- to use my knowledge and skills ed decades before me to creat- in the community, but to also ing a better health-care system, use that same knowledge and – was WELCOMED and and that these like-minded indi- skill to influence Ontario’s viduals all have so much hope health-care system itself. praised for their choice to be for the students. RN There are boards, commit- tees, interest groups and struc- involved in creating a BETTER tures within RNAO which we Chris Frost was one of seven nursing are all welcome to involve our- health-care system together.” students participating in RNAO selves in. If I could recommend placements that included involve- one thing to assist students ment in the 8th Annual Day at through the stresses of school push ourselves through school involvement in the workforce at Queen’s Park and annual general and the confusion of new expe- and wait until we graduate to the grandest scale, we will find meeting. He is in his final year of riences, it would be to join become involved, but that does- ourselves with much more ener- nursing at Trent University and RNAO and to get involved in n’t help us to understand that gy and enthusiasm.This can only plans to pursue more education and the Nursing Students of Ontario balance is key to success. If we influence our chances of success experience in relation to community (NSO) interest group. We can can balance school with intimate in the most positive of ways. and family nursing.

Resolution #6 Resolution #9 Submitted by Marianne Cochrane, James Chu and Michael Garreau on Submitted by Renee Lehnen (Halton Chapter),Anne McGoey (Lakehead behalf of the Provincial Nurse Educators Interest Group and Nursing Chapter), Cheryl Forchuk (Brant Haldimand Norfolk Chapter), Judy Students of Ontario. Spence (Ottawa), Laurie McKellar (Middlesex-Elgin Chapter) THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Registered THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RNAO will: Nurses’Association of Ontario (RNAO) grant the Nursing a) educate and mobilize nurses to address the environmental Students of Ontario (NSO), as an Associate Interest Group of determinants of cancer and other health issues, RNAO, special privileges to vote as a full Provincial Interest b) raise the awareness of our clients and the public on the need for Group at the RNAO Annual General Meeting and other general cancer prevention, and meetings of the association. c) advance education, research, policy,advocacy and regulation Status: Carried regarding industrial carcinogens in our environment and in our food chain, as well as carcinogenic consumer products; and Resolution #7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that RNAO directly,and in Submitted by Perth Chapter collaboration with the Canadian Nurses Association, mobilize THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RNAO work with the nurses and others and lobby Parliament and the Federal provincial government and rural hospitals to provide incentives to Government to advance healthy public policy on the environ- nursing schools and students to have clinical placements in rural areas. mental determinants of cancer and other health issues. Status: Carried Status: Carried

Resolution #8 Resolution #10 Submitted by the International Nursing Interest Group Submitted by Julie Curitti and Angela Shaw, on behalf of Peel Chapter THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RNAO engage in an THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Registered education campaign to promote awareness among its membership Nurses’Association of Ontario endorse the Dietitians of Canada of the Give a Day Campaign and that an RNAO Grandmothers report entitled Raw Food Cost in Ontario Long Term Care to Grandmothers Group be established. Homes-Funding Review and Priority Recommendations dated Status: Carried November 2006 and actively lobby the provincial government to immediately increase the Raw Food Cost budget to $7.00 per day per resident for all long-term care homes in Ontario. Status: Carried

Registered Nurse Journal 23 RNJ-3529 3 6/1/07 5:50 PM Page 24

CHALLENGING THE STEREOTYPES RNAO’s new Men in Nursing Interest Group sets out to change perceptions about the profession and the role men can play. BY JILL SCARROW

hen James D’Astolfo visits high nursing, people frequently asked him why he RN since 1984, a time when he says the school students to talk about a didn’t want to apply to medical school. idea of being a male nurse was not well W career in nursing, the first ques- “It took me a long time to explain it, known. He received support from his fami- tion he asks is ‘who wants to get into health quite honestly,” he says. “I was born in the ly,friends, and fellow students, but says more care?’Of those who raise their hands,he then Philippines where, if you’re a guy, you still needs to be done to break down gender asks ‘who would go into nursing?’ become a doctor.” lines in much the same way they have been D’Astolfo admits that, after he asks the Gajasan began university taking biochem- broken down in fields such as law, business second question, there usually aren’t any istry courses, but being isolated in a lab didn’t or even medicine. male hands left in the air. But the perception appeal to him. He switched to nursing “Nursing provides so many opportuni- that nursing is a ‘job for girls’ is not just com- because he had long admired the work of his ties,” says Vimr, now Vice-President of mon among high school students. He’s even mother, a personal support worker in long- Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing spoken to kindergarten students who, at four term care. He watched her connect one-on- Officer at Trillium Gift of Life Network. and five years old, already associate nursing one with patients and wanted to do the same. “Nursing lends itself to having a big impact with the 19th century image of the lady on the health status of the public. I think with a lamp rather than a 21st century that’s such a great opportunity that other man with a university degree in hand. professions don’t give.” The desire to promote more excite- For those who go into nursing, those ment about the profession among young rewards rank highly among their reasons men is what prompted the fourth-year for choosing the profession. A survey of nursing student at York University to cre- Newfoundland and Labrador’s male ate RNAO’s Men in Nursing Interest nurses found good career opportunities, Group (MINIG), which received formal job security and salary were among the board approval early this year. News of the top reasons men chose nursing. D’Astolfo group’s proactive work is already getting believes making men aware of those ben- out. During Nursing Week, MPP Paul efits will require broader changes to make Ferreira recognized the interest group in nursing more inclusive.That, he says, can the provincial legislature. even include getting nursing professors to “We are well aware of the many con- stop referring to nurses as ‘she’ in class, tributions nurses make, but we often do teaching the history of men in nursing, not think of (men) within the nursing and developing mentorship programs for profession,”Ferreira said. men. He says these steps will help all nurs- D’Astolfo says recruiting more men es to embrace the different perspectives into the profession could go a long way men can bring to the bedside. towards supporting an aging workforce at a In his role as MINIG membership offi- During one of his clinical placements, time when more than 20 per cent of cer, Gajasan promotes nursing at career fairs D’Astolfo says he was able to connect with a Ontario’s RNs are above the age of 55 and in the Toronto area. He says having a male recently paralyzed patient by talking about headed for retirement.The task, he admits, face at a nursing booth attracts other young their shared love for hockey.That conversa- r

won’t be easy. Only five per cent of men who may have questions about the pro- tion opened the door to more discussions e d i e

Canada’s nurses are men, and MINIG fession and are more comfortable discussing about the patient’s condition, and how he n h c S members face some entrenched stereo- them with another man. was coping with the changes in his life. n o s

types, including the perception that all “Sometimes, they’ll pass by and then D’Astolfo says the ability to establish and a J : n

male nurses are either homosexual or come back to ask questions,” he says.“They build that connection is what makes nursing o i t a r

couldn’t make it in medical school. might be embarrassed to come by with the perfect profession for anyone – man or t s u l l Joseph Gajasan, MINIG’s membership their friends to ask about nursing. A lot of woman – who’s looking to make a difference I officer and a nurse in cardiovascular people think it’s a female career, but more in patients’ lives. RN surgery at Toronto’s University Health and more that’s changing.” Network, has only been an RN for a Mark Vimr, MINIG vice-president, says year and he’s already faced those stereotypes that although there is change, the pace of JILL SCARROW IS STAFF first-hand. He says when he decided to study that change is still glacial. He has been an WRITER AT RNAO.

24 May/June 2007 RNJ-3529 3 6/1/07 4:49 PM Page 25

POLICY AT WORK

uring Nursing Week, RNAO shone and other health problems have been linked ments needed to strengthen Ontario’s pub- a spotlight on the issues it believes to poor air quality, RNAO says it’s impera- licly funded and not-for-profit health-care D politicians must make top priorities tive the next provincial government reduce system, and the required steps to build the as the province prepares for an October elec- greenhouse gas emissions. “second stage” of Medicare as envisioned by tion. A press conference at Queen’s Park on Ferguson-Paré said nurses have wit- Tommy Douglas. May 10 marked the release of the associa- nessed, for several years now, the negative “Douglas was ahead of his time. He knew tion’s comprehensive report entitled Creating health effects of poor air quality and expo- more than 30 years ago that the only way to a Healthier Society. sures to harmful toxins and chemicals in keep our system universally accessible was to The document outlines recommenda- their practice. “That’s why we’ve included a move to a model of illness prevention. His tions in five key areas: the social determi- set of recommendations the political parties forward thinking, together with the knowl- nants of health; the environment; edge nurses offer, must be used Medicare; the nursing work- to build a solid system of com- force; and fiscal capacity. “These munity care focused on the policy proposals are based on the social determinants of health, overwhelming evidence about health promotion, disease pre- what keeps us healthy and what vention and chronic disease makes us sick,” said President management,” said Grinspun. Mary Ferguson-Paré. RNAO believes this can be Executive Director Doris achieved by allocating funding Grinspun added that nurses play for health promotion through a central role in the health-care nurse-led clinics that focus on system, and have sound knowl- primary health care and chronic edge about what support systems disease management. Grinspun are needed to help people main- said substantial investments in tain or regain their health. home care will also alleviate the While RNAO acknowledges burden on the acute-care system the McGuinty government has and allow people the dignity of begun re-building the province’s aging in place. public infrastructure, nurses Nurses say the next govern- believe there is still more work to ment must also take steps to be done.The report devotes con- ensure the profession can meet siderable attention to the action the needs of an aging popula- required to address inequities that tion. RNAO’s platform calls have left many men, women and for an additional 9,000 full- children behind while others in time RNs, a commitment to Ontario enjoy wealth and pros- continue the 70 per cent strat- perity. For example, despite years egy, multi-year funding to of economic growth, 1.7 million ensure all new RN graduates people continue to live in pov- can work full time, and targeted erty. To close that gap, RNAO funding for the 80/20 strategy. makes several recommendations, including must adopt to make Ontario a cleaner, When asked about the costs of imple- an immediate increase in the minimum wage greener and more livable place for all fami- menting RNAO’s proposals, estimated at $4 to $10/hour, a boost to social assistance rates lies,” she said. For instance, the report rec- billion in the first year, Ferguson-Paré told and a comprehensive housing program. ommends focusing on energy conservation reporters at the press conference, “the eco- The report also outlines a plan of action rather than the construction of nuclear nomic reality is that the cost of doing noth- on the environment. Citing evidence com- plants, ending all coal burning by 2009, cre- ing is even higher. The real question is piled by the World Health Organization, ating a Pollution and Cancer Prevention Act, whether our political leaders have the polit- which estimates environmental factors and committing to legislation to ban non- ical will to implement the ideas we propose. account for 17 per cent of all deaths, and fur- essential uses of pesticides. Nurses do not believe tax cuts are the ther evidence from Environment Canada Grinspun said the report (also referred to answer. We believe these investments will that asthma, cardiovascular disease, allergies as RNAO’s platform) addresses the invest- help us create a healthier society.” RN

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toYou NEWStoUse

On May 23, RNAO member Diane Funston received a Cambridge YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the health, wellness and active-living category. The award celebrates Funston’s dedication to health as an emergency room nurse at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, a fitness instructor for 15 years, and as a volunteer for St. John Ambulance.

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) marked Nursing Week 2007 by releasing some stark statistics about Canada’s newest crop of nursing graduates: 15 per cent will not find jobs, and one in 10 will move to the U.S. for work. The national nursing organization says the projected retirement of many RNs means nursing graduates are needed at home more than ever. CNA is calling on all provincial and territorial DIANE FUNSTON governments to hire graduating nurses, noting that Ontario is the only province to do so by recently announcing full-time jobs for all new grads.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is looking to recruit, and it’s utilizing some innovative marketing methods to get the public’s attention. On May 18, the hospital began running a 60-second ad in movie theatres in Mississauga, Hamilton and Niagara.The ad is the second theatre advertisement SJHH has produced. In December 2006, the hospital also ran an ad to increase its profile in the community.

Timmins public health nurse Maria Simunovic is leading a team of health-care professionals raising awareness about domestic abuse through a report entitled Abuse Shatters Lives. The report, which was produced by the Timmins and Area Family Violence Coalition and the Porcupine Health Unit, decodes domestic violence myths, highlights services available to Timmins-area women, and reveals the impact violence has on women. Real-life survivors describe in their own words the experience of being in an abusive relationship. To read the report, visit www.porcupinehu.on.ca.

On May 11, Ontario’s Ministry of Health announced it would spend $4.5 million to train 273 critical care nurses in Ontario. The financing will allow nurses to meet new provincial critical care nursing standards.Training will be provided by employers.The Ministry is also spending MARIA SIMUNOVIC $2.5 million on a critical care e-learning program at Durham College.

Linda Henry has been doing her best to support the Ottawa Senators during the NHL playoffs. The Ottawa Hospital nurse has been sewing mittens for newborns on the hospital’s maternity floor, each one embla- zoned with a tiny Senators’ logo. The mittens are a big hit with new parents – even those whose hockey loyalties lie elsewhere.

Following an extensive series on medical errors in the Toronto Star,the Ontario government has announced new regulations to improve transparency in health care. Regulatory bodies that monitor the practice of a variety of health-care professionals (including physicians and nurses) are now required to post infractions against members on their websites. Hospitals must also report medical errors to the province, which will post the information online.

In April, the Nursing Health Services Research Unit released a report on the Best Practice Guideline (BPG) coordinator role in long-term care. Seven coordinators were hired in 2005 to promote the use of BPGs in long-term care facilities. The report found that directors of care wel- comed the role. It also made several recommendations to strengthen the role, including sustained funding and an orientation package for all LINDA HENRY new coordinators. The full report is available at: http://www.nhsru.com.

26 May/June 2007 RNJ-3529 3 6/1/07 4:54 PM Page 27

Calendar

June September November June 6-8 September 27-28 November 1-4 th International Conference on 6 International Elder Care Annual Nurse Practitioner Evidence-Based Best Practice Conference: Older People Association Conference Guidelines: Setting the Context Deserve the Best Nurse Practitioners Celebrate: for Excellence in Clinical Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Shaping and Promoting Practice and Healthy Work Centre and Spa the Role Environments Markham, Ontario Hamilton Convention Centre Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Hamilton, Ontario Conference Centre and Spa November 15 Markham, Ontario Ethics for Nurses: Regional June 10-15 Workshop Nursing Best Practice Video Conference Guidelines: Summer Institute RNAO Home Office Nottawasaga Inn and Toronto, Ontario Convention Centre Alliston, Ontario October October 4 October 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17 August Thriving as a Practicing Clinician: Designing and Delivering August 12-17 Sharing and Shaping the Keys Effective Education Programs Creating Healthy Work to Nursing Excellence RNAO/OHA Joint Program Environments: Summer Institute Acadian Court TBA Delta Pinestone Resort Toronto, Ontario Haliburton, Ontario October 11 October 19 Every Nurse a Leader: Regional Pediatric Nursing Conference: Workshop Child First, Patient Second Video Conference Courtyard by Marriott Sudbury, Ontario Toronto, Ontario

Unless otherwise noted, please contact Vanessa Mooney at RNAO’s Centre for Professional Nursing Excellence at [email protected] or 416-599-1925 / 1-800-268-7199, ext. 227 for further information.

Join the Global BPG Network RNAO’s Global Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) Network has been established to connect individuals and organizations around the world who are using RNAO’s BPGs. The network will allow you to link with others who are implementing BPGs. You can share and learn about implementation ideas, evaluation methods, and information about the impact the BPGs have on health outcomes in your organization. Visit www.rnao.org/bpgnetwork to join.

Registered Nurse Journal 27 RNJ-3529 3 6/1/07 4:54 PM Page 28

Classifieds Nursing and Health Care Leadership/ Management Do you have financial planning issues? Are you nearing retirement? I will assist you with your retirement planning, which may include information on: HOOP, a Distance defined benefit pension plan; Canada Pension Plan; RRSP benefits; taxation; investment planning; and estate planning. With over 15 years of experience as a consultant/planner, I Education have insight into your professional issues. As a certified financial planner with a fee-based Program business, I am also licensed to sell some products. An appointment can be arranged at your convenience. Please call 416-259-8222 ext. 504. Gail Marriott CFP

Needed: Per Diem Nurse Educator. This position will provide clinical support in the evalu- ation, implementation and business development of products within the Smiths Medical GRANTING UNIVERSITY CREDIT AND CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION portfolio. You will provide product training to clinicians and assist in the implementation of Endorsed by the CNA. clinical programs. You will possess a degree/diploma in nursing (current membership with All courses individually facilitated CNO), experience in an acute care setting, and be able to work flexible schedules. by an Educational Consultant Courses Offered: Bilingualism (French) would be an asset. This position is ideal for those looking for occa- sional and ongoing per diem opportunities. Overtime, schedules may be customized to Leadership/Management (6 units) meet individual requirements. Compensation is provided on a consultant basis. Please for- • 9 month course completion ward resumes to: Human Resources, Smiths Medical Canada Ltd., 301 Gough Road, • both theoretical and practical content important in today’s work environment Markham, Ontario, L3R 4Y8, Fax: 905-477-2144. Advanced Leadership/ Management (6 units) • 8 month course completion • builds on the Leadership/Management course • topics include transformational and quantam leadership; emotional intelligence and organizational culture; applies theories and concepts to current work environment Conflict Management (3 units) • 6 month course completion • explores the types and processes of conflict in health care organizations and applies theory and research to conflict situations in the current workplace Leading Effective Teams (3 units) • 6 month course completion • theory and methods of teams by intergrating professional and leadership disciplines Decentralized Budgeting (1 unit credit) • 4 month course completion • concepts of financial management and budget preparation • important to nurses involved with decentralized management Quality Management (3 units) • 6 month course completion • theories, concepts, including safety culture, leadership in creating a culture of accountability • critically analyzes and applies paradigms addressing quality & safety issues in the workplace For further information please contact: Leadership/Management Distance Education Program McMaster University, School of Nursing 1200 Main Street West, 2J1A Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3Z5 Phone (905) 525-9140, Ext 22409 Fax (905) 570-0667 Email [email protected] Internet http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/nursing/ educ_leader.shtml Programs starting every January, April & September RNJ-3529 3 6/1/07 4:54 PM Page 29

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Seneca_FHS Ad_RN Journal 3/28/07 10:42 AM Page 1

NURSING EDUCATION INITIATIVE FORENSIC HEALTH STUDIES You may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 in tuition reimbursement! CERTIFICATE For pertinent deadline information or to Find out how science, technology and the law obtain a copy of the application form, please can be combined to better serve your clients. visit the RNAO website at Learn current forensic health science principles www.rnao.org and techniques, criminal law procedures, and how to manage victims of crime in one For the most current multidisciplinary certificate program. information about the *Offered in partnership with BCIT Nursing Education Initiative, APPLY NOW please contact: 416.491.5050 x5208 [email protected] RNAO’s Frequently Asked Questions line 1-866-464-4405 OR SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES [email protected]. www.senecac.on.ca/healthsc

Yoourur ccareerareer iiss hhere.ere. CLIENT: VCH CONTACT: Anne Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is focused on 3 integrated components of health care: Acute, Community and Primary Health. VCH operates 102 health care centres in 17 municipalities, including BC’s largest hospital and one of Canada’s largest research institutes. POSTED EXTRANET April 5, 3pm, 3:15 Whether you’re a new grad or an experienced professional, VCH has an opportunity that’s right for you. With the widest range of April 3, 9:45 professional options and diverse training choices, your career will flourish at VCH. We offer enormous diversity of lifestyle choices too. From small towns to major cities and everything in between, the right fit is waiting SIGN-OFF: Anne / Pam for you at Vancouver Coastal Health. PROOF-READ (Midlyn HRC): Elisa With great compensation packages, excellent training and education programs, state-of-the-art work environments plus fabulous potential YOUR AD HAS BEEN COSTED FOR: for career advancement, this really is the right time to … 4 2 0

KEY NO.: VCH 43024 3 4 1/2 Page (7,1/8 x 4,3/8) M Colour Jooinin us!us! Interested? Apply now at www.vch.ca and click on careers. MEDIA: Registered Nurses Association of Ontario VCH Recruitment (RNAO) – RN Journal 1.800.565.1727 G 604.875.5152 www.vch.ca : $2354.00 (Excluding production/transmission & GST) RNJ-3529 3 6/1/07 4:54 PM Page 32

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