MILTON RNs SPEAK OUT ON PESTICIDE USE • AN URGENT CALL FOR NURSES TO TREAT HIV/AIDS

September/October 2006 Registered Nurse JOURNAL FAMILYTIES Four Ontario families tell Registered Nurse Journal how their passion for nursing has been passed from one generation to the next.

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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 EDITOR’S NOTE 4 PRESIDENT’S VIEW 5 MAILBAG 6 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DISPATCH 7 NURSING IN THE NEWS/OUT & ABOUT 8 POLICY AT WORK 25 NEWS TO YOU/NEWS TO USE 26 CALENDAR 26 NOTICE OF 2007 AGM 27

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Volume 18, No. 5, September/October 2006

FEATURES

ONTARIO RNs RESPOND 11 TO CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST By Kimberley Kearsey RNAO members across the province react strongly to the association’s action alert and open letter urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to push for an immediate ceasefire.

FAMILY TIES 12 By Jill Shaw Four Ontario families tell Registered Nurse Journal how their passion for nursing is as much a family trait as height or eye colour.

RN PROFILE 18 17 By Helena Moncrieff Thunder Bay RN Sandra Petzel, Organ and Tissue THE LINEUP Donor Coordinator for Trillium Gift of Life Network, reminds families how one generous act can create EDITOR’S NOTE 4 hope for others.

PRESIDENT’S VIEW 5 CROSSING BORDERS AND MAILBAG 6 18 OCEANS FOR A CAUSE By Jill Shaw EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DISPATCH 7 While the world bears witness to the ravages of NURSING IN THE NEWS/OUT & ABOUT 8 HIV/AIDS, a global shortage of nurses leaves many POLICY AT WORK 25 without access to the care they need. NEWS TO YOU/NEWS TO USE 26 TODAY’S STUDENTS, CALENDAR 26 22 TOMORROW’S LEADERS By Jill Shaw NOTICE OF 2007 AGM 27 RNAO celebrates a new membership year with kudos to four Ontario nursing students who are learning how to become politically active.

MILTON RNs JOIN FIGHT 24 TO BAN PESTICIDES By Amy Hunter, RN, MScN, and Marnie Smith, RN, BScN Two nurses take to the podium at Town Hall to talk about the harmful effects of pesticide use.

Registered Nurse Journal 3 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 Website: www.rnao.org E-mail: [email protected] Letters to the editor: [email protected] Students lend expertise, EDITORIAL STAFF Marion Zych, Publisher Kimberley Kearsey, Managing Editor vision to RNAO Jill Shaw, Writer Tiffanie Ing, Editorial Assistant Fall is always an exciting time at RNAO.As we welcome EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Patricia Stiles, Chair a new membership year, we’re reminded that September is as Joseph Gajasan, Anne Kelly, Connie Kuc, much about new beginnings for the association as it is about Holly Lake, Sylvia Rodgers, Shannon Landry new beginnings for students heading back to the classroom. DESIGN, ART DIRECTION, PRODUCTION The excitement of meeting new people, the anticipation of Tammy Hunter/Ireland+Associates camaraderie and teamwork, and the satisfaction of shared ADVERTISING knowledge and learning – these feelings fill the air on school Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario Phone: 416-599-1925, ext. 211 campuses across the province, but they also set the tone at home office on Pearl Street. Fax: 416-599-1926 As students head back to class and look to teachers and mentors to help them SUBSCRIPTIONS develop their expertise in a chosen field, RNAO looks to students for lessons on Registered Nurse Journal, ISSN 1484-0863, is a benefit to members of the RNAO. Paid subscriptions are what the profession’s next generation needs and wants from its professional associa- welcome. Full subscription prices for one year (six issues), including taxes: Canada $38.52 (GST); Outside tion.As you will see in our feature on page 22, students’ voices are being heard not Canada: $42. Printed with vegetable-based inks on only in the corridors of RNAO, but also in the corridors of Queen’s Park. recycled paper (50 per cent recycled and 20 per cent post-consumer fibre) on acid-free paper. This fall, eight aspiring RNs visited home office to participate in board and assem-

Registered Nurse Journal is published six times a bly meetings.They were invited to attend because they are nursing’s future leaders, and year by RNAO. The views or opinions expressed in the editorials, articles or advertisements are those of the building strong relationships with tomorrow’s nurses is vital to the success of RNAO. authors/advertisers and do not necessarily represent There are close to 3,000 students who have chosen to belong to their professional the policies of RNAO or the Editorial Advisory Committee. RNAO assumes no responsibility or liability association this year.And they sign up not only because they can learn from its staff for damages arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information or advice contained in the and assembly, but because they too can do some teaching of their own. Registered Nurse Journal including editorials, stud- ies, reports, letters and advertisements. All articles and For instance, an informal survey about Registered Nurse Journal revealed students photos accepted for publication become the property of like the magazine.As one student so eloquently said: “…the Journal does an excep- the Registered Nurse Journal. Indexed in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. tional job of bridging the gap between politics and practice by speaking to the

CANADIAN POSTMASTER: Undeliverable copies impact one has on the other.”They like the fact that it helps them complete school and change of address to: RNAO, 158 Pearl Street, projects, and provides a glimpse of what nursing is like outside the classroom.We Toronto ON, M5H 1L3. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40006768. also learned that students want a little more information about career opportuni- ties, events and networking opportunities.These suggestions are vital if we are to RNAO OFFICERS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT Mary Ferguson-Paré, RN, PhD, CHE provide members with content that is relevant and timely for all readers. President, ext. 204 As we embark on the 2007 membership year, we want to thank students for Joan Lesmond, RN, BScN, MSN, Ed. D (c) their valuable insight.We also want you to know we’ll be looking to you for more Immediate Past President, ext. 202 opinions and input in the months ahead.After all, it’s that contribution that Doris Grinspun, RN, MSN, PhD (c), O.Ont. Executive Director, ext. 206 keeps the magazine – and the association – young at heart, and energized by Irmajean Bajnok, RN, MScN, PhD the possibilities of the future. Director, Centre for Professional Nursing Excellence, ext. 234 Sheila Block, MA Director, Health and Nursing Policy, ext. 215 Nancy Campbell, MBA Director, Finance and Administration, ext. 229 Kimberley Kearsey Daniel Lau, MBA Director, Membership and Services, ext. 218 Managing Editor Marion Zych, BA, Journalism, BA, Political Science Director, Communications, ext. 209

CORRECTION Calendar listings for the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO) annual con- ference (Nov. 9-12) and RNAO’s Healthy Workplaces in Action conference (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) were incorrect in the July/August issue of the Journal. Please refer to pg. 26 for the accurate listings.

www.rnao.org 4 September/October 2006 President’s View with Mary Ferguson-Paré

Nurses respond passionately to RNAO action on Middle East crisis

For 34 days this sum- 1st. In that letter, we urged the Prime (pg. 11), 72 people responded with letters mer, the world wit- Minister to back the United Nations (UN) of their own to RNAO. More than 90 per nessed war in the call for an immediate ceasefire.We remind- cent of responses were supportive of the Middle East, sparked ed him Canada needs to use its credible board’s action.The remaining ten per cent by the kidnapping of voice in the international community to disagreed with the decision of the board to two Israeli soldiers safeguard civilians from harm. And we issue the letter. along the Lebanese bor- urged him to ensure Canada’s support for To those who oppose RNAO’s action, der. RNAO watched a successful resolution to the conflict. I assure you the letter was entirely within the tragedy unfold, realizing early on that The Prime Minister responded on Aug. the association’s mandate.The action is also combat between Hezbollah fighters and 29, stating the government’s support for the in line with that taken by CNA and ICN. the Israeli Army would lead to tremendous UN resolution that halted the 34-day con- In its response, ICN asked its member consequences for the civilians caught in flict. He noted the Government of Canada nursing associations in 129 countries to the crossfire. will continue to actively contribute to join in the call for an immediate cessation You may wonder why nurses should humanitarian efforts in the region. of the armed conflict in the Middle East care about war, or why RNAO should Although his response met our request and the rapid deployment of an interna- respond to such tragedies on the other side tional peacekeeping force. CNA joined in of the world. The answer to that question urging Canada to resume its longstanding takes us back to 2003, when RNAO role as an international peacemaker. released its position statement on peace, “As nurses, we recognize As I write this column, the war is over, security and well-being. but thousands of Lebanese and Israeli civil- We are all very proud of this position that without peace, we ians are trying to cope. They have lost statement, which provides us with the are denied freedom of family members, their homes, their liveli- framework we need to advocate for vulner- hoods, and any semblance of normalcy in able populations beyond our own borders. movement and access to the midst of chaos. As Canadians, we count ourselves lucky We have an ethical responsibility as to live peacefully, in a country that does basic necessities of life, nurses to acknowledge these challenges not face the threat of war on a daily basis. including access to health and the resulting health concerns, and to We’re proud of our peacekeeping history speak out for the safety of vulnerable pop- and our reputation for helping those who services. We recognize ulations not only in the Middle East but in may not be safe in their own backyards. other areas of the world where war turns That same philosophy of caring is a big peace as a fundamental peoples’ lives upside down. part of nursing, particularly as it pertains to determinant of health.” The devastating health consequences of the health of thousands of innocent people armed conflict resonate with nurses in whose lives are disrupted by war. Ontario and across the country because As nurses, we recognize that without nurses care for immigrants and refugees peace, we are denied freedom of move- to advocate for a successful resolution of the from war-torn countries in their daily ment and access to basic necessities of life, conflict, the Prime Minister did not state his practice. We care for patients who have including access to health services.We rec- support for UN Secretary General Kofi been directly affected by war or terrorism, ognize peace as a fundamental determi- Annan’s Aug. 11 proposal for an immediate and we care for our colleagues who return nant of health not only across all sectors of truce. He was also short of details about from dangerous missions abroad. nursing but across professional affiliations. how Canada would renew its commitment Above all else, we care about advocat- The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) to a traditional peacekeeping role. ing for our patients, whether here at and the International Council of Nurses RNAO remains hopeful that the peace home or on the other side of the world. (ICN) also have position statements on process will be successful, and that Canada We care about our mandate to “speak out armed conflict. will make a meaningful contribution to for health.” It is this obligation to caring that led humanitarian efforts in the region. There is no health if there is no peace. RNAO’s board of directors to decide Immediately following the release of our unanimously to issue an open letter to letter, RNAO members took action. As MARY FERGUSON-PARÉ, RN, PhD, CHE, IS Prime Minister Stephen Harper on August you will see in this issue of the magazine PRESIDENT OF RNAO.

Registered Nurse Journal 5 Mailbag

Shedding light on the dangers cuffed this man and took him away.I made where (i.e. the U.S. or U.K.) and will never of nursing in the community sure my client was OK and left the building. come back. Others will choose a different Re: In harm’s way, July/August 2006 I remember sitting in my car for what career path. Either way we lose. After reading through my recent Registered seemed hours, but in reality was about ten Jannet Hudson, RN Nurse Journal, I decided to send you a letter minutes. I was shaking. I immediately called Etobicoke, Ontario describing an incident that happened close my office and reported the incident. The to five years ago, while I was working as a rest of my visits for that day were picked up New grad initiative gets community care nurse. Even though it is by other RNs so I could go home and great reviews in Windsor not a current event, I feel it might shed recover. An incident report was filed and I Re:Wanted: RNs full time, July/Aug 2006 some light on nursing in the community. was not to return to this client’s home for I saw this article in the magazine and just You may not know that for the dedicat- several weeks. wanted to share with readers what we did ed and conscientious men and women who I feel compelled to tell my story because under the new grad initiative at Hotel-Dieu travel to meet clients every day,there comes I believe working as a nurse can be reward- Grace Hospital (HDGH) in Windsor. We a price sometimes. ing yet sometimes dangerous. We need to hired 29 new grads, two for the operating This particular day, I was filling in for a be aware of our surroundings and we must room and 27 for the inpatient areas. Each full-time nurse. As a part-time RN, I was have a plan for our own safety in the event was offered 12 weeks of preceptorship. On familiar with some of her clients because I of crisis or danger. After all, if something a unit by unit basis, the nine unit managers had visited them in the past. I arrived at happens to us, who looks after the ill? and I met with the hospital human resource the residence of one particular gentleman Dorothy L. Nagy, RN department.We looked at current vacancies who was a quadriplegic and required a Welland,Ontario posted and unfilled, potential retirements, rather lengthy visit. His wife,who knew me sick leaves, potential sick leaves (for upcom- fairly well, asked if she could slip out to the Nursing instructors ing surgery),maternity leaves and the ‘stand- store while I was caring for her husband. need experience ing transfers’ of our part-time HDGH staff. There were two little grandchildren in addition to education The hospital made a commitment to offer playing in the apartment, supervised by the Re: Nursing shortage a formidable but workable part-time HDGH staff the full-time oppor- stepdaughter of my client. They did their challenge, Executive Director’s Dispatch, tunities first because our part-time staff has own thing while I was in another room July/Aug 2006 supported the hospital over time. We also with my client.The phone rang and a man Sadly, I think the nursing profession is part- made a commitment to provide all the new was hollering on the other end to be rung ly to blame for the nursing shortage.Why is grads with full-time jobs on the resource up. The stepdaughter’s reply was “no no it that master’s and PhD prepared nurses are team (float team).We could not have made no.” I kept doing my work and kept my the only nurses qualified to be clinical it through the summer without the new mind on the task at hand.The phone rang instructors? There are plenty of RNs with grads. They are a delight, a breath of fresh again, with the same hollering on the other five, 10, 15 or more years of experience air, and exhibit energy and enthusiasm with end. The stepdaughter was getting upset. who would be great clinical instructors. a thirst for knowledge. Mixed review? Not Things seemed quiet for a moment when, They don’t have a master’s degree or a PhD. from my perspective. It’s a great opportuni- all of a sudden, the apartment door was Why doesn’t their hands-on experience ty for future nurses. being pounded upon and a loud voice was working in a clinical area count? Lynda Monik, Director, now just outside. Everyone was frightened. If we want to keep nurses 55 and older Inpatient Services, HDGH The children began to cry and the step- in the profession – nurses who are about to Windsor, Ontario daughter was yelling “go away” repeatedly. retire – why don’t we invite some of them The door was forced open and a big, to become clinical instructors? This would WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. loud, tattooed man was chasing the step- keep them in the profession by showing Please e-mail letters to daughter around the apartment. There them their experience is valued, and it [email protected] or fax 416-599-1926. were death threats being directed at this would help keep the enrolment numbers Please limit responses to 150-250 woman. The man had something in his up, or even help to increase the enrolment words and include your name, hand – I’m not sure if it was a knife or numbers into nursing. credentials, hometown and telephone some other weapon – and I felt in danger. Let’s face it, some of the qualified RN number. RNAO reserves the right Moments later, a police woman showed up, applicants who are turned away from nurs- to edit letters for length. as well as the wife of my client. They hand- ing programs (in Ontario) will go else-

6 September/October 2006 Executive Director’s Dispatch with Doris Grinspun

Knowledge shared, power gained: RNAO expertise is everywhere

Recently, I had the change at the regional or national level.” making a difference for thousands of joy of showing our Today, our policy work, political action Italian nurses and their patients. Chiari’s new home on Pearl and media presence have become bench- visit was the next step in our relationship Street to two RNs marks for other organizations. Our educa- building with European partners. who have deeply tional and clinical practice work is equally We are equally thrilled about several influenced my career: impressive. Indeed, our evidence-based other international partnerships.The Kay Arpin, RNAO clinical and healthy work environment Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile, is board member during best practice guidelines (BPG) are highly using RNAO’s Client Centred Care BPG the early 1960s, and Laura Barr, RNAO respected knowledge tools for nurses and in its curricula, and our colleagues at six executive director from 1960 to 1976. health organizations.And our workshops, hospitals in Hong Kong are using the BPGs During their visit, I shared news about conferences and institutes are magnets for on prevention of falls and pressure ulcers. RNAO’s newly minted partnership with knowledge dissemination. While our influence stretches across the Chinese Nursing Association (CNA) My colleague Irmajean Bajnok, Director oceans and languages, we continue to grow and the Beijing Nightingale Consultation of RNAO’s Centre for Professional and influence close to home. In January, of Culture (BNCC).Through this part- Nursing Excellence, joined me in China Jackson Health System in Miami became nership, RNAO will participate in a “train for this exciting initiative.As we sealed the first international member of RNAO’s the trainer” exercise, which will begin a Centre and now joins the journey of BPG journey of leadership and management uptake.The University of Iowa has also development to empower the 1.3 million signed a contract with RNAO. nurses who practice across China. “While our influence Even closer to home, Canadian My mentors joined me in celebrating colleagues are taking note of RNAO’s this exciting milestone and asked: do stretches across oceans work. Just a few months ago, we were members know? This column allows me delighted to hear that the Saskatchewan to continue that celebration with all of and languages, we Health Quality Council integrated you: RNAO’s members and the true continue to grow and RNAO’s wound care BPGs into an owners of the association. interdisciplinary tool they will use Across continents and cultures, influence close to home.” across their province. RNAO’s work has quickly gained a repu- RNAO’s intensive work in Ontario is tation as some of the best in the world. well known to you. From policy to political Thanks to the expertise, creativity and pas- action to BPG’s, we are making a notice- sion of RNAO’s staff and about 25,000 the deal with our Chinese colleagues, we able difference for nurses and the members across the province, our influence were filled with awe over the tremendous public they serve. Now, with over 1,000 and impact grows by leaps and bounds. growth of RNAO. Our partnership with BPG Champions, 21 BPG Spotlight In 2002, we were featured in the the Chinese nurses is the latest move in Organizations and about 325 other organ- report from the National Invitational our endeavor to respond to organizations izations across Ontario taking it upon Conference for Executive Nurse Leaders, who seek to learn from us.These partner- themselves to implement clinical and led by Joyce Clifford and Linda Aiken. ships, in turn, help us to learn. healthy work environment BPGs, the One of the quotes in the article stated: While vacationing this summer,Tazim future is bright for nursing practice in our “The work of the Registered Nurses’ Virani, Director for our Clinical BPGs, province. Combine these accomplishments Association of Ontario (RNAO) is a powerful began a dialogue with a health-care organ- with nursing’s gains in human resources example of how a profession finds a public ization in Kenya that is looking to join and we have a recipe for success. voice and uses it to shape policy. It is a story RNAO as an International BPG Spotlight As we move forward, we will continue about the power of numbers and the power of Organization (IBPSO).Also, this summer, to build relationships and share our having the public on your side. It touches valu- we hosted Paolo Chiari, a nurse researcher expertise at home and abroad.As you read able lessons about learning to speak the lan- at the University of Bologna, Italy, to talk at the top of this page, knowledge shared guage of politics and policy and of using the about implementing our BPG, Assessment is power gained. media to communicate your message to the and Management of Foot Ulcers for People public.And, it is a model for all nursing leaders with Diabetes. Our Italian colleagues have DORIS GRINSPUN, RN, MSN, PhD (CAND), who ever wondered what they could do to effect already translated several BPGs that are O.ONT, IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RNAO.

Registered Nurse Journal 7 by Tiffanie Ing Nursing inthenews RNAO & RNs weigh in on . . .

Nurses Association (CNA) and the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA). Federal Health Minister Tony Clement lauded nurses as the “back- bone” in the world’s response to AIDS (Sault Star, Aug. 14). • RNAO Immediate Past President Joan Lesmond, Chief Nursing Officer for Toronto’s Casey House Hospice, spoke at the conference on how nurses are “the linchpin of the [AIDS treatment] system.” “We cannot be complacent…HIV and AIDS touches everyone at every level.” (CBLFT-TV Toronto, SRC-TV, CBOFT-TV, Ottawa- Gatineau, CBLT-TV, Toronto, CHRO-TV - Ottawa; CITY-TV – Toronto, CBOT-TV – Ottawa, CIII-TV – Ontario, Aug. 8-15; CFMJ-AM Toronto, Aug. 14; National Post, Aug. 17) • RNAO member and ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud penned a letter about the need to mandate safety-engineered equipment to reduce the number of HIV infections in nurses. “The real reason nurses are infected with HIV on the job is because they are on the front lines of patient care. They are at patients’ bedsides, providing hands-on care while dealing with very heavy workloads due to the nursing shortage. Most nurses are under stress to do more with less help, and they lack access to equipment...” (National Post, Aug. 25) • Hospital for Sick Children nurse and RNAO member Justina Bolstering the world’s Makhobalo said she was shocked by the conditions when she response to AIDS returned to her native Lesotho last February. “There are no doctors or nurses, no equipment and people are very sick and dying. It isn’t The 16th International AIDS Conference was held in Toronto from the main hospital here that’s full…it’s the mortuary...It’s heartbreak- Aug. 13-18. RNAO was there in full force along with the Canadian ing.’’ (Ottawa Citizen, Aug. 14)

Out & About

Ryerson University nursing students (L-R) Sharon Asensi, Kerrianne Thompson and Julia Wang looked to RNAO for guidance in June as they prepared for a presentation to their Leadership Development for Practice class. With a little help from RNAO, the students, who work full time and are enrolled in the 19-month BScN program part time, spoke to classmates about how to identify and apply leader- ship strategies for personal development and professional practice. Thompson has since become an RNAO workplace liaison for Rouge Valley Health System.

8 September/October 2006 For complete versions of any of these stories, contact Tiffanie Ing at [email protected].

On Aug. 22, B.C. surgeon Dr. Brian Day was elected the next president of the Canadian Nurses fight to beat the heat CICI-TV – Sudbury, CHBX-TV – Medical Association (CMA).The endorsement of The end of July brought an intense heat Sault Ste. Marie, CITO-TV – Timmins, Day,a known proponent of two tier health care, wave to much of southern Ontario, with CKNY-TV – North Bay, July 14) sparked controversy and led RNAO to release a temperatures peaking at 50 degrees with • RNAO member Debbie Bryant statement expressing dismay.(Welland Tribune, the humidity index. Several cities, including shared some suggested safety precautions Toronto Star, CanWest News Service, National Hamilton,Toronto, and Ottawa issued heat to be taken in extreme heat:“What peo- Post; CKGL-AM Kitchener,Aug. 23) alerts, and nurses all over the province advo- ple need to watch for is heavy sweating cated for at-risk groups, including seniors in and cool skin, muscle cramps, weakness, CMA election leaves RNs worried nursing homes and homeless individuals. headache and nausea. If you have these “…Mary Ferguson-Paré, president of the • RNAO member and street nurse Cathy symptoms you need to get medical Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario Crowe called on the government to install attention immediately.” (Orillia Packet & (RNAO)…says the decision to endorse Dr. Day more public cooling centres, and suggested Times, Barrie Examiner, July 14) as the national representative for this coun- more fans and air conditioners be accessible • RNAO member Donna Churipuy try’s 62,000 doctors means members of the to the homeless and elderly.“Heat waves are encouraged people to check in on eld- CMA are essentially endorsing a parallel, for- becoming a public policy hot spot - literally erly neighbours.“If we lived in a climate profit health-care system and may leave - but Toronto seems a few years behind where we had two weeks to get used to many Canadians wondering if doctors have other cities in their response.” (Toronto Star, it, we could acclimatize…we can’t accli- their interests in mind. “I believe there are CHCH-TV Hamilton, CFRB-AM Toronto, matize for something like [this heat].” many ways we can work together to improve CBL-FM Toronto, CBC-R National, CTV- (Peterborough Examiner,Aug. 2) our Medicare system for all Canadians. This TV National, CBLT-TV – Toronto, CIII- • RNAO member Janet Milligan sug- isn’t one of them,” says Ferguson-Paré. “The TV – Ontario, CP24-TV – Toronto, July gested there might be a need to set a views of Brian Day are contrary to those of 22, 25, 31,Aug. 1) maximum allowable temperature in nurs- the general public. Dr. Day’s election means • RNAO member Nicky Kerr warned ing homes (Orillia Packet & Times,Aug. 2) Ontario nurses will redouble their efforts to that “exposure to extreme heat and humidi- • RNAO member Kim Stasiak told stand up for Canada’s publicly funded health- ty can lead to illnesses such as heat exhaus- the Welland Tribune that Niagara’s hospi- care system…” tion and heat stroke.” (Sault Star,Aug. 2, tals were experiencing an increase in

RNAO’s Nursing Best Practice Guidelines Program (NBPG) will partner with Women’s College Hospital to co-host the World Union in Wound Care Conference, which takes place in Toronto in June 2008 and attracts between six and eight thousand health-care professionals from around the world. Clockwise from left: Kevin Woo, Women’s College Clinical Scientist/ Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Gary Sibbald, On Aug. 25, four nurses from Blind River District Health Centre, Professor of Medicine and Public including (L-R) RNAO member Carol-Ann Agnihotri, NP, Dianna Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Baskerville, RPN, Sheila Manninger, RN, Mary Nadon, nurse man- RNAO Executive Director Doris ager, and her daughter Fran, were invited to golf with Health Grinspun, NBPG Program Coordinator Minister George Smitherman (centre). Agnihotri spoke one-on- Stephanie Lappan-Gracon, and Tazim one with Smitherman about the lack of funded positions for Virani, NBPG Program Director. NPs in her home community of Sudbury.

Registered Nurse Journal 9 Nursing inthenews

More nurses, doctors needed to cover shortage Upset by the possible closure of St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital’s emergency room over Simcoe Day weekend, Health Minister George Smitherman immediately asked his office to find health-care workers to work. RNAO member Gloria Riddell was among those who responded to the call. The hospital’s interim site administrator and RNAO member Wayne Priestap said media coverage of the closures might help solve any future staffing problems. (Metroland Southwestern Group, Aug. 9). One of the doctors Minister of Health George Smitherman (right) visited St. Mary’s who helped keep the ER open during weekends in August said he “can’t Memorial Hospital to thank doctors and nurses for working do this forever” and asked local doctors to step up to the plate. Priestap during the Simcoe Day weekend. Pictured (from left): Perth agreed, but said that before the shortage occurred, the Huron Perth Middlesex MPP John Wilkinson, Strathroy MD Tom Wolder, Healthcare Alliance had already been canvassed for ER doctors and none and ER nurses Gloria Riddell, Sophie Fadelle and Elaine Manley. were available (Stratford Beacon-Herald, Aug. 17). heat-related illnesses in the ER.“We often reduce fear of the unknown.“There’s Health Unit.The clinics were very success- see people come in, either from their work always going to be some anxiety…they’ve ful, but were forced to shut their doors due site, where they’re outside and may not have been through so much by the time they get to a lack of federal funding.Wooten said the had enough to drink, or they’re at sports here. It helps them get an understanding of clinics helped families with infants and related things.” (Aug. 2) what’s going on.” (Timmins Daily Press, St. young children struggling to find a doctor. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review, CP “This was a great way for them to find RNs address obesity and its impact Wire, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder, Kingston some kind of health care and then we on the health of our young Whig-Standard,Welland Tribune, Peterborough would always try to find them a family RNAO member Alexis Green is helping Examiner, July 31,Aug. 3) doctor.” (London Free Press,Aug. 2) to run a new program at Brockville General Hospital that fosters healthier lifestyles for NPs needed in Sudbury Nurses fight cuts in Kenora young girls who are obese. Green said over- Fourteen RNAO members and nurse prac- RNAO member Debra Bastone led a weight children tend to become overweight titioners (NP) wrote to the Sudbury Star in rally against the possible layoff of 32 nurses adults and “it’s important to try to develop early September reminding citizens that they and the closing of 22 beds at Kenora’s good habits and teach [kids] activity is fun.” can deliver primary care – but not without Lake-of-the-Woods Hospital. Bastone (Brockville Recorder and Times, July 13) jobs. Marilyn Butcher, Roberta Heale, reminded officials that Ontario is already • RNAO member Dorothy McCann Nina Hoyt, Stephanie Van Gilst, facing a nursing shortage, and that the hos- took to the airwaves to discuss a University Rochelle Hatton, D. Esther Allen- pital is already understaffed and nurses over- of Guelph report that found Ontario teenagers Fogarty, Jennifer Fournier, Christel worked.“We can’t afford to lose even one are less physically active than they were six Glinker, Sarah Crichton, Genevieve nurse, or see any reduction in nursing years ago, and high schools have reported a Courant, Christine Volpini,Annette hours, because it will put patients at risk.” decline in the number of physical education Hoop, Gisele McMurray and Nathalie (Canada News-Wire; Kenora Daily Miner & classes students take after grade nine. Chisholm say there are currently eight News , CBQ-FM – Thunder Bay; CJRL- McCann discussed the health risks of these unemployed NPs in the Sudbury area who AM – Kenora,Aug. 2, 3, 23, 30) findings (CBL-FM – Toronto; CBCL-FM – could be serving thousands of people with- London; CBQ-FM – Thunder Bay; CBO- out access to a family physician. RNAO and ER sends plea to the public FM – Ottawa, CBCS-FM Sudbury, July 26). the Sudbury NPs have been lobbying the Sudbury Regional Hospital’s chief nursing Ministry of Health to hire and relocate officer and RNAO member David New CD-ROM helps kids more NPs to underserviced areas (Sept. 4). McNeil spoke to the media in August understand cancer about the hospital’s decision to issue a plea RNAO member Susan Awrey helped Neighbourhood health-care to the public not to visit the emergency design a new CD-ROM, Radiation for Kids, clinics lose funding room for non-urgent care. McNeil com- which is being used by nurses as a teaching RNAO member Bonnie Wooten has pared crowding in the ER to flooding in a tool.The resource aims to give children been lobbying Ontario’s Ministry of Health dam, and said non-urgent patients might be diagnosed with cancer and their families to provide sustainable funding for neigh- sent out of town for care (Sudbury Star; some sense of what they can expect once bourhood health-care clinics piloted in PER-TV Sudbury,Aug. 3; CBCS-FM treatment begins.Awrey says the CD helps 2004 through the Middlesex-London Sudbury,Aug. 18).

10 September/October 2006 “I’m frustrated to see so little leadership in the world today…RNAO’s Ontario RNs respond to lobbying effort is reassuring to me as a nurse and a Canadian…” crisis in the Middle East Sheilagh Callahan, RN,Toronto

“As a student studying to become a registered nurse, I realize that peace is at the stem of world and individual health.” housands of civilians were caught in the crossfire of this summer’s war in the Middle East.Their fight for survival – Cheryl Purvis, nursing student,Lyn T and health – prompted RNAO to act. As the death toll mounted on both sides of the conflict, RNAO issued an action “The letter…sums up my feelings about Canada’s responsibility alert and open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which to the rest of the world. Canada is known for peace…Peace is what said:“As registered nurses, we are acutely aware there is no health my children and all children require in order to maintain health.” determinant as fundamental as peace itself.” Karen Pental, RN, Dunnville The letter, unanimously approved by the board of directors and linked to RNAO’s 2003 position statement on peace and securi- “We need to speak up loudly now and be committed to stopping ty, urged Harper to push for an immediate ceasefire and to sup- Canada’s military involvement. In the past, we have let issues go. port UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s proposal for an imme- We grumble about them behind closed doors…We have to make diate truce. our voices stronger.” The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN), which also have position Lorraine Nelson, RN,Ancaster statements on armed conflict, issued similar letters.“As more and more innocent civilians lose their lives, their communities and “It is not effective to keep using the word “terrorist” to justify continued their livelihoods in Lebanon and Israel…we join human rights support of this ‘fight first and count the bodies later’ approach.” advocates, nursing groups and others around the world in urging Trish Leahy, RN,Toronto world leaders to push for an immediate ceasefire…,”CNA wrote. In its statement, ICN noted that “most of the displaced are “We have an obligation as citizens of this planet to now living in precarious conditions, with poor access to proper watch out and care for our neighbors.” sanitation, clean water and sufficient food, undermining the health Janice Elliott, RN, London of the population and creating circumstances favourable to epi- demic diseases.” “I commend you and your team for the open letter…The letter Seventy two people responded to the action alert, 66 of them in support of RNAO’s action alert and letter and six against it. and its supporting documents have been skillfully crafted to reflect All respondents expressed strong views. Here’s what members the social and humanistic values of our health-care discipline…” had to say: Avraham Santopinto, RN, London

Some believe RNAO is overstepping its mandate

am writing to express my extreme concern about the above-noted sought support or sanction from its members to take a position on Iopen letter, which was posted on the RNAO website and circulat- any issues going beyond the organization’s stated scope and man- ed to the RNAO membership on August 1, 2006. date, whether concerning the Middle East or elsewhere. Based on RNAO’s mission statement and strategic directions (as While I support the right of individuals to hold differing and they appear on the RNAO website) your mission is to represent strong opinions, and while I welcome debate on those opinions nurses and the nursing profession in Ontario and to advance health and the underlying issues, it is a gross misuse of the platform of care and health related goals. Your strategic priorities are entirely this organization to express opinions that are essentially personal related to advancing nursing, Medicare and health care. in nature and that go far beyond the scope and mandate that have This is the mandate of the organization that I joined many years been sanctioned by its members. RNAO has no business attempting ago and I am proud to be a member, life member and past presi- to use its profile and membership to influence Canada’s interna- dent of RNAO in support of those missions and objectives. tional public policy.” Nowhere do the mission statement or strategic directions of Judith Shamian, RN, Toronto RNAO contemplate the organization taking a public position on “I do not support the RNAO stance on the current conflict in political issues that go beyond its stated scope and mandate of rep- the Middle East...I object to the RNAO becoming involved in politi- resenting nurses in Ontario and advocating on health and health cal situations of their choice,” related issues within that context. Further, at no time has RNAO Susan Brajtman, RN, Ottawa

Registered Nurse Journal 11 or some families, being a nurse is as muchFAMILY a family trait as height or eye colour. In some cases, children get their first glimpse of the profession by watching a F parent or loved one head off for a night shift. In other, less traditional cases, a parent sees the work their child is doing at the bedside and begins considering a career change. But in all cases, it seems the desire to be a nurse is in the genes. According to four Ontario families that have passed the passion for nursing down the family tree, there are definite perks that pop up when your relatives are also your ties colleagues.There’s always someone close to your heart who understands how phys- Four Ontario ically and mentally draining a bad day can be. There’s always someone who under- stands your inclination to celebrate after a patient has beaten insurmountable odds. families tell And there’s always someone to learn from. We asked these families to tell us what it’s like when nursing becomes a family Registered Nurse affair. They all agree the profession has changed.Today’s RNs no longer wear the caps their mothers and grandmothers once donned. And, the patients nurses see Journal how a today are sicker than ever before. But while the practice environment continues to keep pace with a changing passion for nursing world, the work of nurses will always remain the same.Whether new to the work- force or recently retired, these nurses all agree that the patient is number one, and runs in the family. that there are few things more rewarding than hearing someone say “thank you.” BY JILL SHAW Three generations of nurses care for patients in Pembroke Ask 87-year-old retired RN Doris Collier what has changed in nursing over the last 60 years and she’ll tell you: just about everything. She marvels at the knowledge nurs- es have today, and the advances in technology that not only enable RNs to practice more effectively, but also allow them to get patients up and on their feet faster than ever before.As the eldest member of a family of nurses that spans three generations, Collier has watched nursing’s evolution from the front row. In 1941, Collier graduated from the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital and began her career in psychiatric nursing. In the 1950s, she shifted gears and worked in maternity care. In 1961, she began working on the surgical floor at Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH). Collier had no idea her move to PRH would mark the start of a 40 year tradi- tion that would see her daughter and granddaughters all growing up to become RNs caring for patients at PRH.

e The tradition seems perfectly logical when you consider Collier’s children saw s h u how much flexibility being a nurse gave their mother. During the 1950s, Collier o F y

n worked the night shift at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital, first as a psychiatric o T

: nurse and then in maternity care.The position allowed her to be at home with her y h p

a family during the day. Although she loved her work, Collier admits that coming r g o

t home to get her children breakfast, sleeping a while, getting up to prepare lunch, o h

P and then catching a few more winks before suppertime could be grueling.

12 September/October 2006 Y

Doris Collier (foreground) shares her love of nursing with daughter Pat Bergsma (centre) and granddaughters Angela Dubois (right) and Stephanie Stewart (left). “You know, when you’re young, you can RN sisters share animals. The connection to health care also put up with that,” she says. “I guess I didn’t more than just their goes back a few generations; their mom require a lot of rest. But let me tell you, signature red hair works as an optometric assistant and their when I’d get off the bus in the morning grandmother was a pharmacy assistant. (coming home), I was ready for bed.” Leanna Kelly, 30, likes to joke that Rebecca, 26, and Laura, 28, say they Pat Bergsma, one of Collier’s two daugh- RNpatients on the second floor at knew they wanted to be nurses from the ters, followed in her mom’s footsteps and Groves Memorial Community Hospital in time they were young. Laura was 12 when chose the path to nursing that led straight to Fergus must think their nurse is a worka- she was inspired by the nurses who cared PRH. In the early days after Bergsma’s grad- holic. In fact, patients probably assume the for her during a month-long hospital stay uation in 1970, Collier was still working on same tall, red-headed RN is working 24- with a bout of Osteomyelitis. the surgical floor. Bergsma says having her hours-a-day. As one of three RN sisters Thirty-year-old Leanna is the oldest sis- mom close by meant there was someone she who practice on the hospital’s medical ter, but was the last to begin a career in could go to for advice about what had hap- floor, Leanna admits mix-ups are bound nursing. Out of high school she pursued a pened that day at work. Fifty-eight-year-old to happen. degree in health sciences and graduated in Bergsma, who retired in 2003, continued the “Red hair is uncommon to begin with, 1999. While working as a client services tradition of being a role model when she so people don’t even really look at your assistant at the local Community Care Access found herself mentoring her own daughters features necessarily, they just assume you’re Centre, she started looking for more client and daughter-in-law, who is a nurse in the only red-headed nurse,” Leanna says. interaction. In 2001, she decided to enroll Ottawa, later in her career. “I remember (assessing) a man who seemed in the collaborative nursing program at “Nursing gives us a common bond.We’re confused. I asked him if he felt OK, differ- McMaster University and Conestoga College. never at a loss for things to discuss,” Bergsma ent in any way, and he said ‘no, but I told Leanna says returning to student life says, adding she and her mother love to hear you all of this yesterday.’” wasn’t easy. She admits she couldn’t have the younger RNs talk about what’s new in the Leanna and her younger siblings, Laura finished her BScN without her sisters, who profession. Bergsma says patients today have and Rebecca Fair, take the confusion in watched her two small children while she more access to information than ever, so nurs- stride and say patients usually have a good went to class, and substituted as lab part- ing has become about working with patients laugh when they realize the nurse they’re ners if she couldn’t make it to school. and teaching them instead of directing them. speaking with is not necessarily the same While all three siblings agree it’s That was not the case during the height of her person they saw earlier. invaluable to have one another at work – mother’s career, when patients followed a Three of the four Fair sisters are nurses whether to confide in or share ideas with – nurse’s orders without question. Bergsma says and the fourth is a pharmacy technician. it can be hard to separate their professional the teamwork among all health professionals Leanna says it makes sense that all four and home lives, especially when two live today is a welcome change. girls went into health care. They grew up under the same roof. That’s the case for “It’s so foreign to my daughters that you on a farm where they were always sur- Laura and Rebecca. Laura says having her would stand up when a doctor came to the rounded by the natural birth and death of sister at her side at home and work means desk,” she says.“Even when I was in nursing school, the first-year students had respect for the third-year students. You were really on the bottom rung.” From the Philippines to Bergsma’s eldest daughter, Angela Dubois, Ontario: RN discovers graduated from Canadore College in 1997 and agrees many of those changes have been nursing by default for the better. For the last two-and-a-half eah Padilla comes from a family of nurses years, Dubois has worked on the medical Land doctors, which is exactly why she did- floor at PRH. She initially thought she n’t want to become an RN. While growing might want to follow in her grandmother’s up in the Philippines, she considered becom- footsteps and become a psychiatric nurse. ing a nutritionist. The field was still in its After completing her psychiatric clinical infancy at the time, so her father urged her placement in school, she soon realized the to become a nurse instead. Despite her initial emotional and physical drain of that special- reluctance, Leah enrolled in nursing school, ty wasn’t for her. passed her exams, and eventually spent 38 Instead, she began her career in neurolo- years of her 40-year career as an RN in gy at Duke University Medical Centre in Canada. She has no regrets about her deci- North Carolina before coming home about sion. In fact, she admits the lessons she’s two years ago. Dubois says working in neu- learned from other nurses in the family rology at Duke was exciting, but she enjoys have helped immensely in her career. being in a smaller community where life is As a child, Leah remembers her great- more relaxed and she knows more people. aunt, who was the chief nurse at a hospital in (continued on page 16) the Philippines, hosting parties for staff. Leah

14 September/October 2006 she has a sympathetic ear to count on that the average co-worker can’t lend. The hard part, however, is to draw the line that sepa- rates your sister and friend at home from your co-worker on the job. “When you’re at work, you need to treat your sister as a co-worker,” she says, adding it can be difficult because, “you wouldn’t treat the average co-worker as a sister.” Rebecca, who works casually at Groves in addition to being an oncology RN at Grand River Hospital in nearby Kitchener, says that having siblings as co-workers makes it easier to overcome the challenges of the job. “Sometimes, nursing is very stressful. You want to talk to somebody about it. With your sister, you can say ‘this is what happened; I don’t know how I would have handled it differently.’ They can talk about what could be done differ- ently in another situation.” Rebecca acknowledges each of her sisters has a different approach to nursing. While she prefers oncology and palliative care, Laura and Leanna thrive on adrenalin-pump- ing emergency situations on the medical floor. All agree, however, that it’s those dif- ferences that make working together so ben- eficial and keep any sibling rivalries at bay. “We’re very close outside the hospital,” Leanna says. It’s that friendship that has allowed them to work together all their lives, and it’s their shared passion for nursing that is likely to keep them caring for Groves’ patients well into the future. RN

sometimes heard nurses grumbling because her aunt wouldn’t give them time off. It (left to right) Leanna Kelly, wasn’t until Leah became a nurse manager Rebecca Fair and Laura Fair later in her career that she started to appreci- ate the health-human resource challenges her aunt faced. that comes from helping patients, but admits “There are so many things happening in Leah’s family ties, and experience as a it can be difficult dealing with the politics nursing that are interesting and challeng- manager, have also helped daughter Liza, that come with working in a hospital. That’s ing,” she says of the opportunities available who began working as an RN at St. Michael’s when having an RN-mom comes in handy. to her daughter. “I wish I was younger.” Hospital in Toronto last year, cope with the “She’s a good ear for me to vent on,” Both women agree that amid a constantly realities of nursing. Liza says of her mother. “She has been at the evolving working environment, there are Liza was a reluctant RN too. In 2000, she bedside, and she understands management, some things fundamental to nursing that was doing clerical work on a general surgical so in that sense I get two sides of the story.” never change: the connection with the patient floor at St. Michael’s after completing a Both mother and daughter recognize and at the bedside; and the fight to ensure nurses e degree in biology and psychology at the appreciate the growing trend toward inter- receive the respect they deserve. g r o e University of Toronto. A friend, who was disciplinary practice, a trend that did not “The struggle for nurses is always going G f f enrolled in the nursing program at McMaster take shape until well after Leah began her to be there, whether you’re fighting for o e G

: University and Mohawk College, encouraged career. Today, Leah says there are more more staff changes or more recognition as a y h p her to sit in on one class to see if she might opportunities available for nurses than in her profession,” Liza says. “I think that’s been a r g o like it. Liza took her up on the offer, and says day, such as being a clinical nurse specialist, part of nursing since Florence Nightingale’s t o h

P she was hooked. She loves the satisfaction nurse practitioner or becoming an educator. day. It’s changing, but I think very slowly.” RN

Registered Nurse Journal 15 She says she had only been at PRH about the two sisters began their careers together, “Growing up, (nursing) was table talk at two months when a visitor to the hospital starting college in North Bay at the same supper,” Dubois remembers. “Mom would overheard her speaking and knew just from time. Both Stewart and Dubois say they come home, and we would always ask,‘well, the sound of her voice that she had to be decided to go into nursing because it was so how many babies did you have today?’” Bergsma’s daughter. much a part of their lives at home. Both Dubois and Stewart say there’s “To me, that was totally different,” “I knew from the time I was about 12 that always plenty of shop-talk at family gather- Dubois says. “Down in the States, I would I wanted to be a nurse. I think it (the desire) ings, and it’s invaluable to have someone never run into somebody I knew, let alone came from watching my mother get satisfac- close to you with whom you can share ideas who knew my family.” tion from her job,” Stewart says, adding the and learn from. Dubois’younger sister,Stephanie Stewart, demands of shift work didn’t dampen her But Bergsma says there can also be has spent her entire career at PRH, including enthusiasm for the profession.“We just knew some drawbacks to having family ties at the last three years on the obstetrics unit – that every second Christmas, mom wasn’t work: “Anything that goes wrong in the the same place her mother spent most of her going to be there. So it’s not any different for facility, your mother soon knows,” she says career. Although Dubois is two years older, me because I was raised seeing that,”she says. with a laugh. RN

Daughter graduates working in related fields, he was looking to support and clinical banter at the dinner table. from nursing school escape the hectic travel schedule of his job. It’s also helpful to know there is a loved one Nursing seemed like an ideal field to pursue to advocate for you in the health-care system alongside her dad his interests. Robinson-Holt says she is proud if you become ill. In 2002, Robinson-Holt was When Krista Robinson-Holt, then a charge to say her dad is a nurse, but it wasn’t diagnosed with early-stage melanoma and nurse at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, always that way. As a young nursing stu- required surgery. After the procedure, she says found herself short of staff one day, she dent, she says it sometimes felt like her dad her father sprang into action, monitoring her called an agency to send in some help. was stepping on her turf. for signs of depression, and changing her Making that call may have been a normal “I had some trouble coping with the fact dressings after surgery. part of her work, but the person the agency that my dad wanted to be a nurse,” It’s also sometimes nice to have a sec- sent was far from ordinary. It was, in fact, Robinson-Holt admits. “I was going out on ond, professional opinion in the family dur- her father who arrived to lend a hand. my own, and to look back in the rear-view ing tough times. When Robinson had to “The other nurses got a real kick out of mirror and see your own dad following in consider putting his own mother into a it because it’s so unusual,” she remembers. your footsteps, I don’t think I coped with long-term care home, he and his daughter “I said, ‘he’s my dad, honestly,’ but nobody that very well…My dad and I have a pretty discussed the difficulty of making that deci- believed me.” close relationship, and I think I needed some sion and the options available to them. breathing room.” While Robinson-Holt believed her grand- Today, Robinson-Holt is the director of mother should have been placed in the health planning and research at the home earlier because of her battle with Ontario Long-Term Care Association. Her Alzheimer’s disease, Robinson wanted to dad works part-time at a retirement home continue to care for her himself. He says he and in mental health. Robinson-Holt says frequently uses that experience to help she can now appreciate being in the same patients’ family members at the retirement line of work as her father because it gives home where he works. her the opportunity to stay connected to “Family members are quite lost,” he says. the front lines. She enjoys being able to ask “When something happens to the parent, her father how the policies she examines – it’s tough. They don’t know what to do.” ranging in focus from patient lifts to pan- Both father and daughter agree that demic planning – are actually playing out nursing can be an emotionally and physical- on the front lines. ly draining career, and the demands on That could be because the Robinsons Of course, their conversations aren’t nurses are only likely to increase as the have turned the idea of inter-generational always about policy planning. Robinson-Holt population ages. But Robinson-Holt nursing upside down. In the early 90s, Bill says they also discuss clinical matters that believes it would still be a good career Robinson and his daughter graduated just the non-nurses in the family sometimes choice for any future members of the weeks apart; Robinson from the registered don’t appreciate. Robinson clan. practical nursing program at Humber “We’ll be at Swiss Chalet, and over the “You get great satisfaction (knowing) College, and Robinson-Holt from the nurs- table something will come up about wound that you’re there at some of the most ing faculty at the University of Toronto. infection and my mother will say: ‘Stop, I important times in people’s lives. I’ve had Robinson says he has always enjoyed learn- don’t want to hear it. I’m eating.’” people die in my arms,” Robinson-Holt says. ing about the human body; and after 40 Robinson-Holt believes that having family “You’re bearing witness to some of the years as a commercial photographer and ties in nursing not only means professional most important events in their lives.” RN

16 September/October 2006 by Helena Moncrieff

RN reminds families how one generous act can create hope

WHY NURSING? sents, Petzel does a social and medical histo- have had their kind offers declined because In 1966, with limited career options for ry,draws blood from the donor, and sends it their loved one doesn’t meet the criteria for women, Sandra Petzel looked to her moth- to the Gift of Life provincial resource cen- brain death.That changed following a 2005 er – a registered nursing assistant – for inspi- tre in Toronto. report from the Canadian Council for ration. As a health-care professional in a It can take from 18 to 42 hours from the Donation and Transplantation that showed small community,“she was respected,”Petzel declaration of death to the end of the donor support from Canadian health-care profes- remembers, “and I saw her love of nursing process. Petzel stays with the family through- sionals for organ donation after cardiac and what she was able to accomplish.” out, and says it’s a very intimate time. death.The first DCD procedure took place Petzel followed in her mother’s foot- That’s the high profile part of Petzel’s in Ottawa in June. steps and graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Sault Ste. Marie in 1969. She CHALLENGES took her first job in emergency. “It was a Petzel says the biggest challenge in her job time when nurses were in high demand,” is geography.Distance can make it tricky to she remembers, adding that she considered get donor blood work to Toronto as quick- moving to the U.S. to work. Her boyfriend ly as is necessary.Petzel has the flight sched- convinced her to apply for a marriage ule memorized. licence instead of a green card and to move She says the second challenge is the with him to Thunder Bay. She’s been there weather.“We’ve had a perfect donor situa- with him for 37 years. tion with a family wishing to donate and a Petzel found her “golden” job in recipient in need but we can’t get a surgi- haemodialysis in 1970. Dialysis patients, she cal team in here because of bad weather.” says, connect with the system regularly for many years. As a result, a close relationship MEMORIES OF A JOB WELL DONE develops. In 2000, Petzel was honoured with the In the three decades Petzel has been Kidney Foundation’s Mission Award for working with dialysis patients, she’s seen her remarkable commitment to increasing some disturbing changes in wait times for awareness of organ donations. “That was kidney transplants: it was 18 months in the great,” she remembers proudly. 70s and today patients can wait nine years. But the job is also its own reward. NAME: Sandra Petzel To become a better patient advocate, “Every case is memorable…so rich. OCCUPATION: RN, Organ and Petzel volunteered with the Kidney Families allow me to be with them at the end Tissue Donor Coordinator, Foundation in 1980. Three years ago, she of life,”Petzel says.“I vividly remember their became an Organ and Tissue Donor Trillium Gift of Life Network faces, conversations…it’s just very memo- Coordinator for the Trillium Gift of Life HOME TOWN: rable, even when they say no… because Network (TGLN). Working out of Thunder Bay, Ontario they took time to consider it.” Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), Petzel coordinates job. She and her 20 counterparts across the FUTURE PLANS transplants in a region that stretches from province also promote awareness of organ Petzel says she loves her job because it offers the Manitoba border to Marathon, and donation by participating in public aware- her an opportunity to see a beginning where from James Bay to the U.S. border.When a ness events. Petzel is currently working on a others see an end. possible donor is identified in her region, garden at TBRHSC to recognize donors. “By the time I’m brought in, the death that donor is brought to Thunder Bay. And she is continually offering support and has already happened. I’m offering the education to hospital staff to ensure every- opportunity of preventing another family RESPONSIBILITIES one is comfortable with donor procedures, from going through the same thing. I can’t With each potential donor, Petzel – or one legislation and policy. put the light back on here, but can stop it of the five ICU nurses who back her up Petzel has started working with TBRHSC from going out elsewhere.” RN with on-call work – is brought in to pro- on a hospital policy concerning donation vide support and talk to the patient’s family after cardiac death (DCD). Until recently, HELENA MONCRIEFF IS A FREELANCE about organ donation. If the family con- many families supportive of organ donation WRITER WHO LIVES IN TORONTO.

Registered Nurse Journal 17 CROSSING borders and oceans FOR A CAUSE While the world bears witness to the ravages of HIV/AIDS, a global short- age of nurses leaves many without access to the care they need. BY JILL SHAW

or a week in August, 20,000 people They’re bearing witness to the final moments “How do they cope?” Lewis asked.“How from around the world,including nurs- of so many lives. And they’re sharing their do they do this job? What is this superhu- F es, politicians, members of aid organi- expertise across borders and oceans to help man, almost supernatural quality which is zations, activists, health-care professionals, colleagues in other developing countries pro- invested in the nursing profession?” celebrities and people who are HIV positive, vide care under extraordinary stress. RN Jamie White, who just returned to converged on Toronto for the 16th In many parts of the world, that stress on Canada after a year working in the tiny south- International AIDS Conference. nurses is the result of escalating numbers of ern-African country of Lesotho, says nurses The theme, Time to Deliver, highlighted patients in over-crowded hospitals. It also aren’t endowed with any magical powers.Like the pressing need to care for the 38.6 mil- comes from the ongoing stigma attached to him, they are simply driven to provide help. lion people the UNAIDS Joint Program on HIV. According to Stephen Lewis, UN “Every day, I was challenged to my core HIV/AIDS says are living with the disease. Special Envoy to Africa on HIV and AIDS, to get up and keep going,”he says of his work For these millions of people, access to health that discrimination not only affects patients, at an outpatient clinic for HIV/AIDS professionals who can help treat and manage but nurses as well, many of whom don’t get patients. “But I knew I was able to provide the illness is a top priority. tested for fear their patients will learn they help for thousands … when you look these But the troubling truth is that in many are HIV positive. people in the eyes,you find the inner strength corners of the globe, those health-care pro- The stress under which AIDS nurses to get over your own personal problems.” fessionals just aren’t there. In fact, the World practice is further compounded by a global White was part of the OHAfrica Program, Health Organization says 57 countries are nursing shortage, which is particularly pro- a project run by the Ontario Hospital short four million health-care workers. And nounced in African countries. In these trou- Association (OHA) that aims to help provide many of those countries are in sub-Saharan bled communities, the workforce is not only treatment for HIV/AIDS patients. Its goal is Africa and Asia. losing nurses to the disease, but poaching by to also train health professionals in Lesotho. It’s this last statistic that is so significant recruitment agencies from Western nations. As one of 20 staff members – including five for nurses. Because behind the numbers and Lewis cites the U.K. as one of the culprits Canadians and 15 local staff – White helped reports about Africa’s battle with AIDS, one looking to remedy the nursing shortage in triage patients and was responsible for ensur- simple fact remains: without nurses at the its own backyard. ing those on ARVs took the drugs properly. bedside and in communities around the “Nurses are the linchpin in every single Of the 5,000 patients the clinic treated dur- world, the tragedies of HIV/AIDS cannot country in the world in response to the pan- ing White’s tenure, 1,500 were on ARVs. be halted. demic,” Lewis told delegates at a nursing White says he always felt overwhelmed Nurses play a pivotal role in the fight forum preceding the AIDS conference. “If knowing he and his colleagues were only against this disease because they are on its there were enough nurses in this world, par- able to treat a pinprick of those in Lesotho battlefields every day. They are fighting to ticularly in the beleaguered countries, then who need help. Nearly 30 per cent of the provide access to anti-retroviral therapy we would have made much greater strides country’s 1.8 million people are HIV posi- (ARVs) in impoverished communities. against the pandemic.” tive. Despite those daunting numbers,White

18 September/October 2006 RNAO members Amanda Walsh and says watching the determination of the disease without foreign-aid, but there Cindy Pilchuk met these and other Lesotho’s people, particularly the women, simply aren’t the people on the ground to children in Kisumu, Kenya in 2005. drove him to continue the fight. achieve that goal. The children are members of the “It’s not this country of victims roaming RNAO Immediate Past-President Joan Watoto Counseling Centre, a grassroots around the streets and holding their heads in Lesmond, who joined OHA’s fact-finding project funded by the newly estab- their hands,”he says.“I saw absolute demon- mission to Lesotho in August 2005,believes lished Project Childcare Foundation strations of human strength and persever- the only way to make progress in Lesotho (PCF), a Canadian organization that ance.” That includes mothers who face is to work with local resources.“Nursing is supports programs for children incredible stigma for being tested, but do it everywhere,”she says.“The answer is to help affected by HIV/AIDS. anyway so they can access the drugs that will nurses cope in their environment.” allow them to stay alive for their children During her trip, Lesmond says she visit- global shortage of health human resources by longer. And grandmothers who find them- ed clinics where more than 100 people filled providing health-care workers with access to selves caring for as many as 12 grandchildren waiting rooms. She admits, however, that resources for HIV prevention and care, orphaned by AIDS. these overwhelming patient volumes are not recruiting and training more health-care White is just 27 years old, but his expe- unique to Lesotho. According to the World workers, and improving the work environ- k rience in Africa has shown him the path to Health Organization (WHO), sub-Saharan ments of those already in the workforce. u h c l i his life’s work. He plans to spend the next Africa has only three per cent of the world’s The retention piece is particularly impor- P y d year receiving acute-care nurse training in health-care workers, yet 64 per cent of peo- tant when you consider the challenge of n i C

: Scotland before starting to work with ple there have HIV/AIDS. keeping home-grown nurses so they aren’t y h p

a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans During this year’s AIDS conference, courted away by organizations and govern- r g o

t Frontières. He says he’d eventually like to WHO launched a program called Treat,Train ments from the developed world. o h

P see African countries empowered to tackle and Retain, which focuses on combating the Sister Christa Mary Jones, a Canadian-

Registered Nurse Journal 19 month in Kenya. There, Walsh worked at a hospital and accompanied a community health nurse on visits in Kenya’s Nyanza province, where 27 per cent of the population is HIV positive. During the home visits, she saw many people who could have benefited from hospi- tal stays, but were too poor to afford them. Walsh remembers one client being treated for a blocked catheter. Without access to proper resources, they were forced to decide whether to risk infection by clearing it. “I felt really paralyzed ….And that’s (the community health nurse’s) life. He (the RN) is invited into these people’s homes with absolutely no resources and still manages to find some measure of dignity for people towards the end of their lives.” Walsh says it is also difficult to tell young, married women they are HIV positive. She A man at the Motebang Hospital in which affects an estimated 5.5 million peo- remembers giving the news to one woman Lesotho sits quietly as a nurse prepares ple in South Africa, is just the latest battle and her husband: “One of the first reactions to remove the body of an AIDS patient. they’re taking on. is anger toward her husband,” Walsh remem- Canadian photographer Steve Simon Lewis also acknowledges the poaching bers.“She’d yell ‘what were you doing? Why stayed for two months in Lesotho to problem.While he pointed out every nurse didn’t you tell me?’” capture moments like these on film. has the right to move freely between bor- Walsh says there’s nothing in the nursing His work is featured in a new book ders, he called on western governments to curriculum that can prepare nurses to help called Heroines and Heroes. end the active practice of intentionally patients through that kind of emotional recruiting nurses away from the countries experience, whether in Canada or Kenya. born nurse who has been in South Africa that invest in their training and education, Dealing with tough, emotional moments since 1971, says African nurses in every posi- and that need them so desperately. like that, and facing other challenges such as tion are being poached because they’re good According to Lesmond, one hospital she vis- 12 hour shifts, little time off, and few sup- at what they do – and they’re used to over- ited in Lesotho lost nearly half of its 100 plies to prevent HIV transmission, might coming adversity. Speaking at the nursing newly trained nurses to other countries as seem overwhelming to some, but the nurses forum on Aug. 12, she described how South soon as they completed their training. in Kenya take it all in stride. African nurses have taken on everything Given this troubling exodus, it’s a relief “I’ve never worked with a happier work- from the injustice of apartheid to the lack of there are nurses like Amanda Walsh. force,”she says.“There was always dancing at clean water and sanitation. She said AIDS, Last year, the recent nursing grad spent a the nursing station, singing, jokes. It was all

Russian nurses receive mentoring amid growing patient numbers

wenty-five years after the emergence of effort to provide better care. doctor. Members of Elmhurst have also THIV/AIDS, Africa remains a hotbed for Russian nurses have traditionally found traveled abroad to provide their Russian the disease. We cannot forget, however, that themselves saddled with administrative colleagues with training about HIV trans- it also touches other corners of the globe. and janitorial roles, but that’s changing mission, and to build skills in patient inter- According to the UNAIDS Joint United thanks to nurses from the Elmhurst views and screening for mental health or Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, the Russian Hospital Centre Infectious Disease Clinic in substance abuse concerns. Federation is grappling with the epidemic, New York City. The American facility is Orenburg’s nurses now spend more time reporting approximately 940,000 people joining with the Orenburg Oblast AIDS on patient interviews and managing med- over the age of 15 were living with the Centre (Orenburg, Russia) to provide men- ications. And, according to presenters at virus at the end of 2005. toring as part of an international develop- the conference, 88 per cent of Orenburg’s Like their colleagues around the world, ment project. patients receiving the team approach to Russian nurses have an important role to Jacqueline Stith, nursing supervisor at care continued their treatment. The play in helping HIV positive patients. Elmhurst, spoke at the conference about Elmhurst nurses involved in the project say Delegates at the 16th International AIDS how Russian nurses have visited Elmhurst’s such success provides ample proof the Conference in Toronto heard how these intake clinic, where nurses and social work- model should be adopted across Russia nurses are expanding their roles in an ers assess patients’ needs before they see a for people living with HIV. RN

20 September/October 2006 about being a team.” That is what motivates Walsh to contin- ue to work on projects that support Kenyan nurses. In fact, she’s beginning a study that will look at the scope of practice for RNs across Africa, and how it influences their ability to administer ARVs.Walsh says nurs- es need to be supported in that part of their jobs, because whether giving ARVs is with- in the legal scope of practice or not, they find themselves doing it because there isn’t anyone else available. Walsh is also concerned about the stigma that prevents so many health-care profession- als from seeking testing and treatment. Shortly after returning to Toronto, she learned one of her Kenyan co-workers died of AIDS. Walsh says her former co-worker never considered seeking treatment because she didn’t want to wait in the same line for her that stigma, and to offer support for nurses Flags fly outside Toronto’s Convention drugs as her patients, who would never again with HIV, groups of nurses visit their HIV Centre in honour of the 8,000 people allow themselves to be treated by that nurse. positive colleagues. If a nurse dies, the who die of AIDS each day. That’s why, at the AIDS conference, Walsh groups provide an allowance to support any met with Kenya’s chief nursing officer to children who may be left behind. around the world will continue to suffer. begin working on plans to establish a wellness As nurses, and millions of others around “Anyone involved in the fight will tell centre where health-care workers can receive the world, lose their own personal battles with you it doesn’t matter how we get the money treatment separately from their clients. the disease, nurses like Walsh,White and their … we just need the support.We need to face Similar initiatives are happening in other colleagues who converged at the AIDS con- this with urgency.” countries as well. Christine Mutati, a staff ference remain committed to telling the That sense of urgency is what White says member at the Zambia Nurses Association, world how the disease continues to plague every nurse needs to feel if we are to halt the told a small session of delegates at the nurs- humanity,and calling for the world’s attention. spread of HIV/AIDS. More nurses need to ing forum about support groups the associ- White says the conference was a good recognize the influence they can have in the ation has set up across the country. Mutati opportunity to connect with other agencies fight to stop an epidemic that is not only rav- says at least 400 of Zambia’s nurses are HIV providing care, but Prime Minister Stephen aging much of the African continent, but is positive, but admits those numbers are not Harper’s absence left him feeling the politi- also felt in every corner of the globe. necessarily accurate given the stigma around cal will to make changes is still missing. The conference was a start, but there’s so admitting you have the disease.To overcome Without that will, he’s worried millions much work that still needs to be done. RN

Nursing students in Kenya know the risks but take their chances

ccording to statistics compiled in 2002 research to find out. nursing graduate who spent a month last Aby the Kenyan Ministry of Health, more While many male students told Swenson year in Kenya, is not surprised by Swenson’s than 50 per cent of hospital beds in that they felt they were most likely to contract findings. In the city of Kisumu, Walsh country are filled with HIV/AIDS patients. For HIV/AIDS through sexual intercourse, worked with clients at Port Florence P F some, this startling statistic begs the ques- female nursing students felt they were Community Hospital. She speculates that A / n o tion: who takes care of all these patients? most at risk in the clinical setting. The 30 both students and full-fledged nurses in the z U

e For RN Molly Swenson, a researcher at the students participating in the study, includ- workforce believe “you are a nurse, but g r o J

Seattle-based Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS ing 15 females and 15 males, explained to you’re a member of your community first.” , t h

g Research & Prevention (SCHARP), the ques- Swenson they are bound to provide care, While conducting research in Kenya i r

; n tion is more specifically: how do Kenyan even if proper protective equipment is not in 2004, Swenson and her team also met o m i

S nursing students, who will be entrusted with available. In terms of their personal lives, with hospital officials and educators to e v

e caring for this vulnerable group in the some female students say they know about encourage greater distribution of infection t S

, t future, perceive their risk of infection, and HIV and the risk, but that cultural practices prevention and post-exposure guidelines, f e l

: how do the dangers of HIV influence their prevent them from being able to ask their and more discussion of prevention, y h p

a behaviours at work and home. She decided partners to use condoms. attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of r g o t to dedicate three months of her graduate Amanda Walsh, a University of Toronto HIV/AIDS at school. RN o h P

Registered Nurse Journal 21 Toda y ’s students, tomorrow’s leaders ttending RNAO’s board of direc- As RNAO looks forward to another membership year, tors’ meeting and annual Day at A Queen’s Park in January forever it seems Ontario’s nursing students are emerging as changed Julie Desjardins’ outlook on nurs- ing. The fourth-year student in the the ones to watch. Four soon-to-be-RNs from Hamilton, McMaster University/Mohawk College Oshawa, Toronto and London tell us why they’re devel- collaborative nursing program admits she used to tune-out talk of all things political. oping a passion for being politically active. BY JILL SHAW But after meeting with so many politically active RNs – and with MPPs who took the time to listen to their concerns – getting alive in real-world nursing. In fact, we are be out in the community talking to people involved in policy issues and government seeing more and more students becoming and experiencing the issues if we’re ever relations has become her passion. politically active as part of nursing curricula. going to light their passion…to become “It was quite transforming for me in terms And instead of feeling like their class assign- activists,” she says. of how I viewed nursing and politics, and our ments are just another project, many students Given Durham Region’s urban and rural ability as students and as nurses to influence are making sure to undertake causes that geography, Stanyon felt it was important to change in the health-care system,”she says. leave a lasting impression in the real world. reach out to as many people as possible, Since January, Desjardins has drafted let- Jill Lindo, a University of Ontario Institute including ‘couch-surfers,’ homeless individ- ters to Ontario’s Minister of Health and of Technology (UOIT)/Durham College uals who live on-and-off with different Long-Term Care about full-time work for nursing student, participated in a school friends and family members. Nursing stu- nursing graduates, volunteered to work for research project last March that introduced dents participating in the project visited her local councilor during the upcoming her to homelessness in Oshawa. The fourth- soup kitchens, shelters, and a hostel to get a municipal election campaign, and is actively year student said the project helped her realize count of the number of homeless accessing exploring new ways to lend her voice to calls why she must ensure the city’s most vulnera- those services over a 24-hour period. for the government to eradicate the compet- ble residents get the help they deserve. Students later returned to the same locations itive bidding process in home care. She says The project was initiated by the Region to complete more than 60 interviews to find she now understands how she can use her of Durham, which wanted to assess the kinds out about living conditions, how individu- growing political-savvy to make a difference of services available to the area’s homeless,and als came to be homeless and what, if any, I l l in the lives of her patients. what needed to be added. Government offi- mental health challenges they experienced. u s t r “I’ve started to believe that the stuff we’re cials approached UOIT researchers to con- Despite the brave face some interviewees a t i o n

taught in school isn’t just a bunch of lip- duct the study.Wendy Stanyon, UOIT assis- wore at first, Lindo says many later opened :

M service we’re paying to the idea we can tant nursing professor, was named a co-inves- up about their battles with depression or a r i e make a change,” she says.“We really can.” tigator and says she figured it was a perfect drug abuse: “They don’t want people to L a F r Desjardins is just one of many students opportunity to get students involved. feel sorry for them, but they want the help a n c who have seen how in-class lessons come “I feel so strongly that students have to they deserve.” e

22 September/October 2006 Stanyon expects the study’s findings to be Unfortunately, the nursing class for says the group’s research showed many nurs- available by the end of this year. Once the which the students were doing the project es find that part of their job challenging, and data is out, she hopes local officials will take ended before Singer and her classmates that’s why the students set about incorporat- action on its findings and provide the home- could convince local police and media to ing organ donation into the nursing cur- less with the resources they need. Stanyon says stop reporting where victims of violence are riculum at UWO. if nurses and nursing students become more being treated. But that has not affected their Watts believes if students learn these skills involved in projects like this, politicians will resolve. This October they join RNAO rep- in school, they may be more comfortable not be able to ignore their collective voice. resentatives at a meeting to discuss the pos- broaching the topic when they start work- “As nurses, I don’t believe we’ve been sibility of a voluntary ban with staff mem- ing. It’s an important skill when you consid- politically active in the way we probably bers from the office of Monte Kwinter, er 13 Ontario hospitals have policies in place should be,” she says.“We have to be lobby- Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety to report every death to TGLN in an effort ing for policy change, and we have to get to and Correctional Services. Singer says polit- to boost the potential number of donors. know the politicians and let them know ical projects like this help students to keep As part of their research, Watts’ group what we see happening to people’s health.” the issues top-of-mind, even in the midst of made a trip to Toronto to visit the TGLN Ryerson University nursing student a hectic student schedule. offices, the Eye Bank of Ontario, and the Hannah Singer agrees it’s up to nurses to let “It forces you to look at the external Hospital for Sick Children’s tissue bank.Last politicians know how policy helps or hin- world…it forces you to think outside your November, they invited an organ recipient ders the health of patients. She also believes little bubble of being a student and realize to talk about what it’s like to wait for an it’s important to speak up about what helps that there are things you can do to empow- organ, life after transplant, and the role or hinders the health of nurses. When the er yourself and make a difference,” she says. health-care professionals played in her treat- fourth-year student and four classmates University of Western Ontario (UWO) ment and recovery. She drew more than a needed a topic for a political action project student Stephanie Watts believes the greatest few tears from the nursing students. Watts last year, one issue stood out above all the way to make a difference for Ontarians is to says she hopes her peers will remember that rest: keeping nurses safe from the risk of vio- lence on the job. After hearing frequent news reports in “(Political activity) forces you to think outside Toronto’s media about shootings and other your little bubble of being a student and violent crimes plaguing the city’s streets, the group members – including three who are realize that there are things you can do to interested in working in emergency rooms after graduation – started to wonder about empower yourself and make a difference.” the fallout when those victims of violent — Hannah Singer, Ryerson University crime enter the ER.Their research revealed that several U.S. states ban police and media touch the lives of fellow students – and not when they’re confronted with the challenge outlets from reporting the name of the hos- just those in nursing. Since the spring of of talking about organ donation with a pital where violent-crime victims are being 2005, Watts has been a volunteer for the patient’s family. treated.This policy helps to reduce the like- Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), the The project was so successful that, with lihood the assailants will come to the hospi- agency that oversees organ and tissue dona- the help of several faculty members, organ tal seeking revenge, or to “finish the job.” tion across the province. When her fourth- donation will become a formal lecture in a Singer and her classmates decided to try and year political action professor gave her the mandatory, fourth-year nursing class for bring the policy to Ontario. opportunity to bring her volunteer work years to come. As part of the eight-month project, the into the classroom, it was an opportunity she Watts, Lindo, Singer and Desjardins will group contacted Toronto police and various couldn’t pass up. wrap up their student careers soon, and they media outlets to ask if they would voluntar- Watts and five classmates decided to all say they will take the achievements from ily stop reporting the name of the hospital come together to provide all UWO students these projects with them into the work- where a victim of violent-crime has been with information about the importance of place. They now have a more profound taken. While some responses were less than organ donation. They set up information understanding of how they can speak up for enthusiastic – the police told the group it booths where they passed out donor cards those who don’t have a voice, and inspire all would be impossible to enforce the ban, and and public awareness products. They also nurses – whether they just wrote their RN some journalists cast the group’s request took the time to answer students’ questions exams or have been practicing for years – to aside – Singer and her classmates did not – a delicate task considering they were ask- see the difference nurses can make when give up. Their persistence paid off when a ing young people to contemplate their they advocate for changes that improve the news director at a Toronto radio station wishes after their deaths. quality of life of patients, the quality of care became intrigued. Singer says he disagreed If it’s that difficult to talk about organ RNs provide, and the health-care system with the idea, but thought it would make an donation with students while they’re within which they work. RN interesting story. Before she knew it, Singer healthy,Watts acknowledges it can be even was describing her project on radio stations harder for nurses to bring up the topic with JILL SHAW IS COMMUNICATIONS across Toronto. families of gravely ill patients. In fact,Watts OFFICER/WRITER AT RNAO.

Registered Nurse Journal 23 pen on the streets. Milton RNs join fight There is a considerable amount of information on the internet about pesticides. Reading and gathering reputable data, papers and to ban pesticides position statements became a full-time job. We found and read BY AMY HUNTER AND MARNIE SMITH bylaws from many different communities and referenced docu- ments that outline the steps to creating a pesticide bylaw. One day after calling RNAO for assistance, I received a letter of support and an outline of its position on pesticide use. Thanks to t’s mid-June, 11:30 p.m., and I’m standing at a podium passion- this enthusiasm, I had more confidence in my mission and ately telling Milton’s town council why I think it needs to create approached other health professional organizations. Ia bylaw restricting the cosmetic use of pesticides on residential Our research complete, we wrote another letter-to-the-editor property. I’m speaking as a concerned resident, parent, and as a urging people in Milton to become informed about this issue and member of RNAO. My path to the podium has been a frenzy of to attend the upcoming council meeting. information gathering, processing and planning. It’s not something The room was packed with residents. I ever planned to do, but it’s certainly been exciting and empowering. Nearly 20 delegates argued both sides of the issue. My presenta- It’s only been two weeks since I read Doris Grinspun’s inspiring tion followed a lengthy and heated debated about the future of lawn editorial (Registered Nurse Journal, May/June 2006) encouraging care companies and a citizen’s right to spray their own property. To members to become politically engaged. Getting involved in this our disappointment and surprise, council could not agree to move health policy initiative stems not only from that editorial but also from a simple concern for my children’s – and other’s – wellbeing. My first foray into the world of pesticides began two years ago. I helped my nursing colleague Marnie Smith prepare a presentation to the local school’s management board – a presentation that out- lined the health risks of pesticide use around children. Marnie requested they use alternative organic methods and provided them with information on pesticide alternatives.We also wrote a letter- to-the-editor, which was published in our local paper. We were thrilled that we swayed the board to try alternative lawn care strategies. Our success, however, was short-lived and they returned to old practices this year. Again, Marnie approached the board with our concerns. Subsequently, they agreed to a compro- mise: no spraying during the school year, only during the summer for infestations. A local advocacy group, Pesticide Alternatives Milton (PAM), heard about our initiative and contacted us to join them in present- RNs Amy Hunter (right) and Marnie Smith realize that, with the right degree of passion and perseverance, nurses can ing the issues to a sub-committee of town council in early June. influence people and health policy in profound ways. To us,the issues were clear, and the decision obvious. Sadly, the committee turned down our motion to create a bylaw and suggest- forward on the bylaw and decided to discuss the issue again in 2007. ed that pesticide discussions be added to the agenda for the next Deflated and frustrated, we left. How could they ignore the town council meeting. information, petitions, and citizen support? How could they dispute Council would meet in two weeks, which provided us with a statements from the World Health Organization,nursing and physi- small window to garner more support for the initiative.We joined cian associations, and environmentalists? forces with PAM to draft a petition.We took to the streets, inform- The feeling of powerlessness was immense, but fortunately, ing our neighbours and local business owners about the issues, and short-lived. providing information about the health and environmental risks of Through the haze of frustration we realized the tremendous influ- pesticide use. ence we had on our neighbours and community.As nurses, we can In just over a week, we had nearly 1,500 signatures. influence people and health policy through our knowledge and abil- Walking around our neighbourhoods gave us a unique oppor- ity to retrieve, analyze and communicate health information. tunity as nurses to engage in informal one-to-one health education Next year, we will continue our fight for a bylaw that protects with residents. Many of our community members thanked us for our citizens — especially our children – today and in the future. RN bringing this important issue to the forefront. It was a very reward- ing experience to interact with our neighbours as health educators. AMY HUNTER, RN, MScN, IS A PART-TIME FACULTY MEMBER AT And it became clear that people respect and value nurses’ knowl- MCMASTER UNIVERSITY‘S SCHOOL OF NURSING. SHE ALSO WORKS IN edge and understanding of an issue. PUBLIC HEALTH. MARINE SMITH, RN, BScN, IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE But preparation for our presentation to council didn’t just hap- FOR HALTON’S HEALTHY BABIES HEALTHY CHILDREN PROGRAM.

24 September/October 2006 Policy at Work

RNs speak out on changes Building community care Promotion Act legislate that all public health to the Nursing Act In May, the provincial government released units have an appointed chief nursing officer. At the end of August, more than 130 mem- Revitalizing Ontario’s Public Health Capacity: Also in May, the provincial govern- bers responded to an RNAO action alert The Final Report of the Capacity Review ment released Choosing Quality, Rewarding and wrote to the College of Nurses of Committee. Excellence, the long-anticipated response to Ontario (CNO) about proposed changes to In a letter to Health Minister George former Ontario Health Minister Elinor the Nursing Act and other associated regula- Smitherman, RNAO and the Community Caplan’s report on home care and the com- tions. If adopted, these changes will have a Health Nurses’ Initiatives Group (CHNIG) petitive bidding process. RNAO and major impact on advanced practice nursing congratulated the Capacity Review CHNIG applauded the government’s rec- in Ontario. Committee for recommending a compre- ommendations to increase wages for person- The proposed changes will provide for hensive Public Health Human Resources al support workers. However, the association four streams of NP practice: primary health Strategy as the first priority for action. is looking to government for concrete care, pediatric acute care, adult acute care, Strengthening the public health workforce by actions on Caplan’s recommendations for and anesthesia.All NPs will have more inde- such actions as hiring more public health improving working conditions for nurses in pendence to practice without medical nurses is essential in order to meet the needs the home-care sector. This is particularly directives or delegation. of Ontarians. Although supportive of the urgent since the sector lost 27 per cent of its Although some RNAO members had report’s recommendations that will rejuvenate nursing workforce between 1998 and 2004. concerns about how these proposed changes public health in Ontario,RNAO and CHNIG CHNIG and RNAO are also encourag- might be implemented, the vast majority believe more work still needs to be done so ing the government to designate agencies as supported them. nurses are able to lend their knowledge to preferred care providers based on the num- In a letter to CNO President Mary Ann communities and families across the province. ber of full-time employees, the amount of Murray and Executive Director Anne Coghlan, For example, to support their nursing support and education available, employee RNAO reminded CNO Council members practice, RNAO and CHNIG recommend retention, overtime hours and utilization of that the regulations will safeguard the public by ensuring that the Health Protection and best practices. making sure only those who meet rigorous competency requirements are able to use the Speaking out on nursing’s image title registered nurse in the extended class RNAO responded in July to two advertising campaigns depicting nurses in a sexist and (RN(EC)) or nurse practitioner. demeaning manner. The ads, for Hydra Vodka Water and Coors Light, portrayed nurses as sex RNAO’s letter emphasized to the mem- objects and drew heated letters from RNAO Executive Director Doris Grinspun and region 6 bers of CNO Council that these regulatory political action officer Laurie Spooner, who alerted RNAO to both campaigns. In her letter, changes would provide for RN(EC)s to Grinspun pointed out that such images imply nurses are sexually available to their patients, work to their full potential, which will leading to sexual harassment in the workplace and widespread disrespect for nurses. In both increase timely access to health care as rec- cases, she demanded an immediate apology and withdrawal of the ads. Vincor International, ommended by both the Health Council of makers of Hydra Vodka Water, responded immediately with an apology and assurances the Canada and Roy Romanow’s Commission campaign would be removed by the end of July. After working extensively with Coors Light on the Future of Health Care in Canada. staff and with Sandy Summers, executive director for the Centre for Nursing Advocacy in the RNAO supports the proposed changes to U.S., the offending images were finally removed from the Coors Light website in late July. prescriptive and diagnostic authority for NPs. Abandoning the practice of only allowing RN Laurie Spooner wrote letters to Vincor International and Molson Canada NPs to prescribe particular drugs and tests calling for the removal of the offensive ads… named on an approved list will follow the lead of Saskatchewan and British Columbia, where “Linking sexual images to the profession of nursing…reinforces long-standing stereotypes.Those nurse practitioners can prescribe broadly. stereotypes continue to discourage individuals from entering the profession, foster the potential for If CNO Council approves these sexual harassment…and contribute to a general atmosphere of disrespect. changes, a formal document will be submit- What the public sees in the media shapes the current image of nurses. Unfortunately…the ted to the Ministry of Health and Long- public generally undervalues nurses and there is a lack of understanding about what nurses do. Term Care. RNAO hopes that it the docu- The truth of the matter is that registered nurses across this province…are making the difference ment is submitted, government will move between life and death for patients every single day.” RN quickly to enact the recommended regula- tory changes.

Registered Nurse Journal 25 toYou NEWSto Use

Nursing instructor Susan Kagan is making known for shaping and influencing health real identities of people in their care. For a history as facilitator of a new nursing gradu- policy, both nationally and internationally. copy of the DVD, contact Allan King Films ate certificate program in forensic health sci- Ltd, 416-964-7284, or go to www.allank- ences at Toronto’s Seneca College. Hailed as ICU nurse and RNAO member Ann van ingfilms.com. a ‘real life crime scene investigator (CSI),’ Deursen has compiled a cookbook to sup- Kagan says the program is not for the port Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital squeamish. It involves examining cases of Foundation’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, Unit (CVICU) drive to raise money for the gangland shootings, and other violent or Wig Salon Patient Assistance Fund, created in dangerous situations.The first of its kind in 2006 to help cancer patients look and feel Ontario, the year-long program is looking better. The Universal Language of Food contains to enroll 30 RNs or RPNs this fall.To find 400 recipes that celebrate the diversity of out more, visit www.senecac.on.ca/health- patients and health-care workers. For more sc/forensichealthstudies or e-mail Kagan at information, visit www.getwiggywithit.net [email protected]. RNAO member Gail Siskind, Director of On June 12, Memory for Max, Claire, Ida and Investigations and Hearings at the College Former RNAO President Judith Shamian Company, a Canadian film that documents of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), received the received an honourary doctorate of science the lives of eight seniors living at Baycrest’s prestigious Member Achievement Award from Ryerson University on June 12. The cur- long-term care facility in Toronto, was from CNO’s Council on Licensure, rent president and chief executive officer of released on DVD. It is now being used as a Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR) on the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), teaching tool for the long-term care sector. July 14. The award recognizes Siskind’s lead- Shamian, who held the title of RNAO presi- Nancy Webb,VP of Public Affairs at ership and commitment to ensuring fair dent in 1998/99, is described as a tireless Baycrest, says the DVD helps health-care treatment for nurses. champion of health-care reform. She is also professionals see past dementia to find the

Calendar

October November October 26-27 November 9-12 November 30-December 1 3RD INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL NURSE 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CONFERENCE, EMBRACING THE PRACTITIONER HEALTHY WORKPLACES IN FUTURE OF NURSING: EDUCATING ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE ACTION 2006 TOMORROW’S NURSES Hamilton Convention Centre Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Hamilton, ON Conference Centre and Spa Markham, Ontario Conference Centre and Spa Markham, Ontario

Coming June 7-8, 2007 Unless otherwise noted, please contact INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EVIDENCE-BASED BEST Vanessa Mooney at RNAO’s Centre for PRACTICE GUIDELINES: SETTING THE CONTEXT FOR EXCELLENCE Professional Nursing Excellence IN CLINICAL PRACTICE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENTS at [email protected] or 416-599-1925 / Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre and Spa 1-800-268-7199, ext. 227 for further information. For information, visit www.rnao.org beginning in October

26 September/October 2006 NOTICEAGM OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS 2007rural nursing is currently limited, Hilton Downtown Toronto, Friday, DEADLINE: Monday, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED Jan. 26, 2007 commencing at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. that RNAO formulate a task force to Take notice that a special general meeting Do you want to shape nursing and health explore and identify basic and continual of members of the RNAO (herein after care? As a member of your professional educational, recruitment and retention referred to as association) will be held at the association, you can put forward resolutions initiatives to support rural and remote Hilton Downtown Toronto on Friday, Jan. for ratification at RNAO’s annual general nursing practice. 26, 2007 commencing at 8:30 a.m. for the meeting, which takes place on Friday,April purpose of voting on recommendations the 20, 2007. By submitting resolutions, you are CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2007-2009 RNAO Board of Directors will present giving RNAO a mandate to speak on DEADLINE: Monday, regarding resolution #1. behalf of all its members. It is important to Jan. 8, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. By the order of the Board of Directors, bring forward the many pressing nursing, RNAO Board of Directors Mary Ferguson-Paré, RN, PhD, CHE, President health and social issues that affect nurses’ As your professional association, RNAO is daily lives and the public they serve. committed to speaking out for health, speak- NOTICE OF 2007 AGM RNAO members represent the many facets ing out for nursing. Your talent is vital to Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham of nursing within the health system.You our success. RNAO is seeking nominees for Conference Centre, Friday,April 20, 2007 play a vital role in ensuring nurses’ voices • president-elect Take notice that an annual general meeting are heard and in advancing healthy public • regional representatives of the Registered Nurses’Association of policy across the province and elsewhere. • provincial resolutions and provincial nom- Ontario (herein after referred to as associa- RNAO encourages chapters, regions with- inations committees tion) will be held at the Hilton Suites Toronto/ out chapters, interest groups and individual Being a member of RNAO has Markham Conference Centre on Friday, members to submit resolutions for ratifica- provided you with opportunities to April 20, 2007, commencing the evening tion at the 2007 annual general meeting. influence provincial and national nursing of April 19 for the following purposes: Please send materials to [email protected] and health-care policy, discuss and share • To hold such elections as provided for Please keep in mind: common challenges related to nursing, in the bylaws of the association • a one-page (max.) backgrounder must nurses and health care, and network with • To appoint auditors at such remuneration accompany each resolution numerous health professionals dedicated as may be fixed by the Board of Directors • the resolution must bear the signature to improving the health and well-being of and to authorize the Board of Directors of an RNAO member in good standing all Ontarians. Joining as a member of the to fix such remuneration • all resolutions will be reviewed by the board of directors will provide you with • To present and consider the financial state- provincial resolutions committee an extremely rewarding and energizing ments of the association (including the Please refer to the following resolution experience. You will contribute to shaping balance sheet as of Oct. 31, 2006), a state- for guidance: the present and future of RNAO.You will ment of income and expenditures of the WHEREAS 11 per cent of nurses live in also act as a professional resource to your period ending Oct. 31, 2006, and the rural areas and 3.3 per cent elect to work in constituency. The nomination form will report of the auditors of the association rural areas of Ontario where the expecta- be available on RNAO’s website in thereon) for the fiscal year of the associa- tion is a broad scope of nursing practice, and October. If you require further informa- tion ended Oct. 31, 2006. WHEREAS rural nurses often work in tion, please contact Daniel Lau, Director To consider such further and other business organizations/agencies where there is a lack of Membership & Services, as may properly come before annual and of sufficient collegial consultation and sup- [email protected]. general meetings or any adjournments or port which often results in significant adjournments thereof. recruitment and retention issues, and By the order of the Board of Directors, WHEREAS basic and continual educa- Mary Ferguson-Paré, RN, PhD, CHE, President tional preparation for the broad scope of

Registered Nurse Journal 27 Classifieds Update on Nursing and DO YOU HAVE FINANCIAL PLANNING ISSUES? resolution #1 ARE YOU NEARING RETIREMENT? Health Care I will assist you with your retirement plan- Leadership/ ning, which may include information on: As you know, voting delegates at HOOP, a defined benefit pension plan; RNAO’s 2006 Annual General Management Canada Pension Plan; RRSP benefits; taxation; Meeting endorsed an open and Distance investment planning; and estate planning. transparent consultation on With over 15 years of experience as a consult- RNAO’s relations with the Education Canadian Nurses Association. ant/planner, I have insight into your profes- Program sional issues. As a certified financial planner RNAO’s board of directors would with a fee-based business, I am also licensed like to thank members who completed the survey regarding to sell some products. An appointment can be RNs’ views on several important arranged at your convenience. Please call 416- national issues.The short survey 259-8222 ext. 504. Gail Marriott CFP asked a series of questions that will GRANTING UNIVERSITY CREDIT guide RNAO’s board of directors AND CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION CANADIAN RELIEF FOUNDATION. on how best to represent its mem- Endorsed by the CNA. MAT International Disaster Response bers.The board values very much All courses individually facilitated Workshop. Eastern Canada workshop to be by an Educational Consultant the opportunity to hear your views. Courses Offered: held in Toronto from Oct. 14 to 15, 2006. We also encourage everyone to Topics will include: CMAT volunteer recruiting; participate in consultation meetings Leadership/Management (6 units) field hospital orientation; SPHERE standards in communities across the province. • 9 month course completion overview; water purification seminar; special • both theoretical and practical content For information, contact your local important in today’s work environment guest speakers. To register, visit www.canadi- RNAO representative, or check Advanced Leadership/ anrelief.ca and click on “training and course- NEW the ‘members only’ section Management (6 units) work.” For more information, e-mail volun- at www.rnao.org. • 8 month course completion [email protected] or call 1-877-832-0712. • 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) Are you protected? • 6 month course completion • explores the types and processes of conflict in health care organizations and applies Every nurse should have theory and research to conflict situations in the current workplace professional liability protection. 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 Total Quality Management/ Quality Assurance (1 unit credit) • 4 month course completion • theoretical and practical aspects applicable to developing quality assurance/improvement programs The Canadian Nurses For further information please contact: Leadership/Management Distance Protective Society Education Program McMaster University, School of Nursing 1200 Main Street West, 2J1A is here for you! Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3Z5 Phone (905) 525-9140, Ext 22409 Fax (905) 570-0667 Call for a free consultation. Email [email protected] Internet www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/nursing/ distance/distance.htm Programs starting every January, www.cnps.ca 1 800 267-3390 April & September 4HE TH !NNUAL #ONFERENCE OF THE #ANADIAN !SSOCIATION OF 7OUND #ARE 7ORKING 7ELL 4AKING THE 0RESSURE /FF /TTAWA/TTAWA #ONGRESS#ONGRESS #ENTRE#ENTRE s .OVEMBER.OVEMBER n n 

0LEASE JOIN US IN BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC /TTAWA FOR OUR MOST COMPREHENSIVE CONFERENCE EVER 4HIS YEARS THEME 7ORKING 7ELL 4AKING THE 0RESSURE /FF REFERS TO IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES AND THE DAY TO DAY LIVES OF WOUND CARE CLINICIANS ,EARN HOW TO REDUCE STRESS AND IMPROVE JOB SATISFACTION +EYNOTE SPEAKERS )NCLUDE %LIZABETH !YELLO PAST PRESIDENT OF THE .05!0 (EATHER /RSTED #!7# PAST PRESIDENT "ARBARA "RADEN CO DEVELOPER OF THE "RADEN 3CALE $R *OHN -C$ONALD !!7# PRESIDENT AND EXPERT IN LYMPHEDEMA MANAGEMENT AND $R -ARLA 3HAPIRO A FAMILY PHYSICIAN 46 PERSONALITY AND A CANCER SURVIVOR WHOSE TOPIC IS 7ORK &AMILY  3ELF

.EW FOR  s %ACH OF THE FOUR CONFERENCE STREAMS IS A MINI SYMPOSIUM WITHIN THE LARGER CONFERENCE s 3PECIAL NEEDS OF !BORIGINAL POPULATION s "ACTERIOLOGY  s !SSESSMENT TOOLS s 5PDATE ON PRESSURE ULCER RISK ASSESSMENT USING A VALIDATED AND RELIABLE SCALE "RADEN s )NTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR COLLABORATIVE PATIENT CENTRED PRACTICE s (YPERBARIC OXYGEN TREATMENT s ,IMB SALVAGE n NEW VASCULAR SURGERY TECHNIQUES s 4HE BASIC SCIENCE OF GROWTH FACTORS s 0RESSURE ULCERS AS QUALITY INDICATORS s 0RESSURE 2EDUCTION2ELIEF 3URFACES n NEW THINKING ABOUT THE EVIDENCE s 0SYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF LIVING WITH WOUNDS s 4WO NEW POST CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS h9OUR 7OUND #ASE 3TUDIESv AND h.UTRITION AND 7OUND (EALINGv s "ARIATRIC COMPLEXITIES AND EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM s "ACK BY POPULAR DEMAND 0UZZLING WOUNDSDIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS #HARCOT FOOT POST CONFERENCE DRESSING WORKSHOPS 0LUS #ANADAS LARGEST WOUND CARE TRADE SHOW WITH OVER  EXHIBITING COMPANIES GREAT NETWORKING AND SOCIAL EVENTS LIKE THE 0RESIDENTS "ANQUET THE&UN 2UN7ALK PLUS AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND MORE 6ISIT WWWCAWCNET FOR MORE INFORMATION 4HE  HOST HOTEL WILL BE 4HE 7ESTIN /TTAWA

&ORCOMPLETEINFORMATIONANDEASYONLINEREGISTRATION VISITTHE#!7#7EBSITEATWWWCAWCNET 3 ( . # NURSING EDUCATION #ENTREFOR.URSINGAND(EALTH3TUDIES INITIATIVE 3(!0).'4(%&5452%/&(%!,4(3%26)#%3

You may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 in tuition reimbursement!

For pertinent deadline information or to Master of Health Master of Nursing obtain a copy of the application form, please Studies - ANP: Primary Health Care - Generalist visit the RNAO website at www.rnao.org

For the most current information about the Nursing Education Initiative, please contact:

RNAO’s Frequently Asked Questions line 1-866-464-4405 OR e-mail Meagan Wright [email protected].

2%7!2$).' #!2%%23 for PEOPLE WHO CARE.

Chartwell is committed to providing As an ever-growing the best care in a full spectrum of seniors housing. Join our team, as it is our EMPLOYEESä industry leader, we who truly set us apart. You will join a group of highly skilled, professional and caring are breaking new individuals who enjoy working with seniors. ground by building We have current and future opportunities for RNs and RPNs in the following positions: and providing the • Retirement Home – highest quality, most General Managers/ modern residences LTC – Administrators (RNs) and services. • Resident Services Managers (RNs or RPNs) Come join the team • Part-time RNs and RPNs of an To learn more about us, these positions and %MPLOYERä other available opportunities, including those in OF #HOICE
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CW5-HRS-111_FIN.indd 1 7/12/06 2:41:18 PM imagine THE POSSIBILITIES!

“The Fraser Health region is a great place to live, play, raise a family and fulfi ll career goals. I grew up here, and wouldn’t leave. You should come!”

Jonathan – Registered Nurse

Dreaming of a career and lifestyle beyond the ordinary? Let Fraser Health show you how to get there. Our dynamic workplace and breathtaking natural landscape are ingredients for a professional and personal life that is out of this world! With 12 acute care sites and multiple community-based residential, home health, mental health and public health services, the possibilities for a rewarding career are as diverse as the 21,000 employees and 2,200 physicians that make up the Fraser Health team. Regular full-time Registered Nurse positions are available in all areas. Due to internal promotions and the addition of new programs, the following advanced Clinical Practice positions are available: Case Manager - MH&A, Abbotsford - Posting #20293 Clinical Information Specialist (Nurse) (2) - Posting #18260 / #18888 Clinical Nurse Educator (4) - Posting #20916 / #12882 / #18243 / #19474 Clinical Nurse Specialist, New Westminster - Posting #20268 Clinical Resource Nurse - Home Health, Chilliwack - Posting #20981 Nurse Practitioner (2) – Burnaby, Posting #23269 and Abbotsford, Posting #20273 Patient Care Coordinator - Pediatrics, Abbotsford - Posting #22239 Project Implementation Coordinator, Infection Control - Posting #24246 RN - Site Leader, Mission - Posting #14215 RPN/RN - Community Mental Health Nurse - Posting #20302 RPN/RN - Acute Home Treatment Program, Langley - Posting #19772 The new Abbotsford Regional General Hospital and Cancer Centre is opening in 2008. If you like new ideas, technology, innovation and best practices, join our team NOW and be ready for the move into this state-of-the-art facility. • Relocation assistance is available • Specialty education opportunities are available – 100% salary, tuition and books • We offer a comprehensive salary and benefi ts package.

Please visit our Career Opportunities website at www.fraserhealth.ca for a detailed listing of these and other opportunities and to apply online. For inquiries contact [email protected], or telephone toll free at 1-866-837-7099.

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