Conversations with Members

Earlier this year, i was interviewed by Cathy Alex, a CBC reporter from Thunder Bay who was writing about the outcome of the inquest into the tragic death of Brad Chapman. The 43-year-old father of three died from an overdose in the summer of 2015.

In my last column, I wrote about how RNAO – by design – helps nurses to take on leadership roles. I talked about how the association supports and fosters the aspirational goals of individual nurses.

In October, i was invited to present at the Canadian EntrepreNurse Summit, an event launched by SE Health (formerly Saint Elizabeth) to recognize nurse trailblazers. It was a day filled with ideas and fueled by determination to propel nurse innovators forward.

Like so many others, I often think about the unfair hand homeless persons have been dealt in life, and my mind wonders why. To seek answers, I make a point of taking homeless persons with me to have a coffee or a meal. They have helped me deepen my understanding of why they have become homeless and how they live.

If you are not an RNAO member, you may not realize the difference between policy and politics.

When a cabinet minister asks:  “Is the book out yet?” you know that book is important. That’s what happened when I congratulated Jim Wilson on his appointment as our new minister of economic development while at Queen’s Park for the July 12 Throne Speech.

You may notice the name of my column has changed from CEO Dispatch to Conversations with members. As you read on, you will begin to understand the thinking behind this change, and hopefully you will become as fond of this new title as I am.