MARCH/APRIL 2018 JOURNAL 40006768 PM A look back at groundbreaking legislation that changed the way Ontario NPs practise. OHIP for All • Queen’s Park Day 2018 • Q&A with incoming president Make a Career Shift Applied Clinical Research • Part-time, online classes • 5-course certificate • Aligned with ACRP and SOCRA skills and knowledge areas • No application required • Start in May or September Professional Addiction Studies • Part-time, online classes • 5-course certificate or 10-course diploma • Aligned with CACCF and ICADC skills and knowledge areas • Apply this spring to start in September Applied Clinical Research ♦ Canadian Health Care Studies ♦ Health Informatics ♦ Health Information Management ♦ Pathophysiology & Epidemiology ♦ Professional Addiction Studies Book your online program preview today: McMasterCCE.ca/Nurses Centre for Continuing Education | McMaster University | 1 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8 | 1-800-463-6223 VOL. 30, NO. 2, MARCH/APRIL 2018 conteNts FeAtURes 24 12 COVER STORY 20 years later Ontario NPs celebrate the milestones that mark a two decade journey since groundbreaking legislation officially acknowledged the role. By Daniel Punch 16 A struggle for care Nurses at a unique walk-in clinic try to meet the needs of Ontario’s uninsured population, but they can’t do it alone. By Daniel Punch 19 Talking politics With a provincial election on the horizon, RNAO visits Queen’s Park with recom- mendations on improving health for all. Story by Daniel Punch Photography by Victoria Alarcon and Alicia Saunders Photos and captions compiled by Kimberley Kearsey 26 24 Meet your incoming president In this intimate Q&A, RNAO’s 55th president Angela cooper Brathwaite talks about her goals for the next two years. tHe LINeUP By Daniel Punch 30 5 PRESIDENt’s View 6 CEO DISPATCH 26 The look of change 7 MAILBAG We reflect back on the late 1980s in this 8 NURSING IN THE NEWS/ installment of our six-part series about the OUT AND ABOUT evolution of RNJ. 11 NURSING NOTES 27 BPG CORNER By Kimberley Kearsey 30 IN THE END 28 The call of the north Kenora RN Brandi Milko comes full circle, London advanced landing a job at the same FHt where she practice RN Amy Van Berkum writes about was first inspired to become a nurse. health equity in this By Victoria Alarcon issue (page 30). REGISTERED NURSE JOURNAL 3 The journal of the REGISTERED NURSES’ eDItOR’s NOte KIMBeRLey KeARsey 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: RNAO.ca Email: [email protected] Letters to the editor: [email protected] EDITORIAL STAFF Marion Zych, Publisher Kimberley Kearsey, Managing Editor Change is in the air Daniel Punch, Writer Victoria Alarcon, Editorial Assistant Alicia Saunders, Communications Assistant EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Laryssa Vares, Desmond Devoy, Una Ferguson, Larissa Gadsby, Chad Johnson, Elizabeth Kerr, Joanne Laucius, Maria Rugg Each spring, wintEr-wEary they want to see positive results ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Ontarians watch in anticipation at the ballot box. Fresh Art & Design Inc. as lawns and parks slowly Health care is a huge issue for ADVERTISING Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario change from an unappealing voters in Ontario, but it’s Phone: 416-599-1925 brown to a promising green. something not every Ontarian Fax: 416-599-1926 the birds start to chirp a little can access as easily as you might SUBSCRIPTIONS Registered Nurse Journal, ISSN 1484-0863, is a louder, and we begin to see think. there are thousands of benefit to members of the RNAO. Paid subscriptions buds on trees as they come back people in this province who are are welcome. Full subscription prices for one year (six issues), including taxes: Canada $38 (HST); to life. It’s a time of new not covered by OHIP for a Outside Canada: $45. Printed with vegetable-based beginnings that also marks one variety of reasons, and in this inks on recycled paper (50 per cent recycled and 20 per cent post-consumer fibre) on acid-free paper. of the busiest seasons at RNAO issue (page 16) we tell the story Registered Nurse Journal is published six times a as we ramp up preparations for of a handful of RNs and NPs year by RNAO. The views or opinions expressed in the annual general meeting who are trying to help this the editorials, articles or advertisements are those of the authors/advertisers and do not necessarily (AGM) in April, and Nursing vulnerable population. they’re represent the policies of RNAO or the Editorial Week in May. this year, we doing what they can, but they Advisory Committee. RNAO assumes no responsibility or liability for damages arising from any error or welcome Angela cooper can’t do it alone. they need omission or from the use of any information or Brathwaite, RNAO’s 55th all-hands-on-deck to raise advice contained in the Registered Nurse Journal including editorials, studies, reports, letters and president. As she prepares to awareness of this troubling gap advertisements. All articles and photos accepted take the helm, she shares with in health services, and their for publication become the property of RNAO. Indexed in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied us (page 24) her path to the OHIP for All campaign is one Health Literature. presidency, and her goals for the way to enlist more supporters CANADIAN POSTMASTER next two years. Angela is for the cause. Undeliverable copies and change of address to: RNAO, 158 Pearl Street, Toronto ON, M5H 1L3. assuming this important role as Mobilizing nurses (and Publications Mail Agreement No. 40006768. Queen’s Park prepares for a others) to push for change is RNAO OFFICERS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT provincial election. something RNAO understands Carol Timmings, RN, BScN, MEd (Admin) President Anticipation about heading to well. In fact, it’s at the heart of Angela Cooper Brathwaite, RN, MN, PhD the polls in June, and advocacy everything we do as a profes- President-Elect to advance RNAO’s platform, sional association. Our cover Doris Grinspun, RN, MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), Dr(hc), O.ONT, Chief Executive Officer, ext. 206 comes into this issue in several feature (page 12) reveals how 20 Nancy Campbell, MBA ways. Our coverage of the years of advocacy on behalf of Director, Finance and Administration, ext. 229 association’s signature political Ontario NPs has led to well- Valerie Grdisa, RN, MS, PhD Director, International Affairs and Best Practice event, Queen’s Park Day (page deserved advancement and Guidelines (iaBPG) Centre, ext. 246 19), for example, delves into the recognition. As this feature Daniel Lau, MBA interactions and discussions shows, the front-line expertise Director, Membership and Services, ext. 218 between nurses and politicians of members, plus the political Louis-Charles Lavallée, CMC, MBA Director, Information Management who attended the event, and influence of RNAO, often and Technology, ext. 264 who realize a firm under- equals change that not only Marion Zych, BA, Journalism, BA, Political Science Director, Communications, ext. 209 standing of health and nursing benefits the profession, but the issues will serve them well if public as well. RN REGISTERED NURSE JOURNAL is proud to exclusively feature members of RNAO on the pages of this magazine. 4 MARCH/APRIL 2018 PResIDeNt’s vIeW WItH cAROL tIMMINGs Celebrating two years at the helm it’s hard to bEliEvE this is my final influence on health system to keep up the pressure, every interaction left me column as your president. When transformation. Originally RNAO hosted a media confer- enlightened, inspired and with I reflect back on the past two detailed in our Enhancing ence last May to release the a deep appreciation for this years, that old adage “...time flies Community Care for Ontarians largest ever, publically available amazing profession we share when you’re having fun…” rings (ECCO) report (2012), we database of 70 years of research and the difference we make in so true. It has been an exhila- remain focused and firm in our into RN effectiveness. Unequivo- the lives we touch. I wish rating experience representing evidenced-informed position that cally, the results show that Angela cooper Brathwaite the association on your behalf. optimal care co-ordination must using RNs results in improved tremendous success as she It has also been an immense be rooted in primary care clinical, organizational and takes the lead as RNAO’s 55th privilege, personally and settings. Not only is it an financial outcomes. I am president this spring. professionally. When I assumed this responsibility two years ago, I was “ as i bid farEwEll, i know i lEavE a vibrant and EngagEd asked what excited me most organization of committEd mEmbErs, with thE momEntum about taking on the role. I talked about the endless possibilities for to continuE advancing thE issuEs that mattEr.” RNAO to continue shaping the health system with its strong, important way to ensure patients’ confident we will continue to I want to offer a heartfelt thank collective voice. Our reputation care needs are met, it is also the make our voices heard on this you to my board colleagues and for developing sound health only way we will ease some of the issue and reclaim the role of our ceO for their passion, policy recommendations to pressures many hospital the RN. expertise and dedicated work. improve nursing, health and emergency departments face. I am pleased that RNAO’s they consistently demonstrate health care is widely known, and Many of you have shared your tireless advocacy has resulted in courage, values-driven and I looked forward to being an experiences of hallway nursing changes to the Nursing Act and evidence-based leadership, important part of that.