Nursing student creates website to track COVID-19 rapid tests
RNAO member and Western University nursing student Elliott Hegel, in partnership with a friend who studies computer science at Carleton University, has developed a website that allows Ontarians to record their COVID-19 rapid test results. Rapid Report Ontario was developed after the province’s chief medical officer of health announced limits on PCR testing on Dec. 30, 2021.
“We need to have an understanding of where COVID-19 is in Ontario and who has (it),” Hegel told CBC News. The website allows users to input their test result and provides them with the option to include additional data such as postal code, symptoms and vaccination status. The goal of the website is to provide this data to epidemiologists, statisticians and other health researchers.
Aggressive rallies spark outrage, condemnation
RNAO spoke out against a series of disruptive protests that took place outside health organizations in September. “To block people from accessing the emergency care they need, and their regular follow-up care, is unconscionable and we need this to stop now,” President Morgan Hoffarth tells CBC Toronto News (Sept. 13). In statements released Sept 12 and Sept. 7, RNAO called for safe zones around hospitals and other health settings, and urged that charges must be vigorously pursued against those who attack health workers, engage in acts of violence, or express hate. After hearing that RNAO and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath were pushing for safe zones through legislation, ER nurse Vikky Leung, who is communications officer for the association’s new Indigenous Nurses and Allies Interest Group, launched an online petition to support the effort. “As soon as I heard there was this push…I thought to myself: what can I do to help?” she tells CP24 during a panel discussion (Sept. 13). “I’m really grateful and pleasantly surprised by the support that I’m gaining.” On the impact of these protests for those going in and out of hospitals, Leung added: “Having to see these people as you go into work or maybe when leaving after your 12- or 13-hour shift…it’s disheartening and hard to digest. I’ve been hearing from my colleagues that they’re frustrated…they’re sad.” Emergency and ICU RN Birgit Umaigba also spoke on the CP24 panel, noting: “I really do believe there is a line and people need to respect that. People should take their concerns to decision-makers as opposed to going to Toronto General Hospital…go to Queen’s Park, where these decisions are being made and leave health-care workers alone. Leave patients alone.”
RNAO introduces two new interest groups that will enrich diversity, inclusivity
Indigenous Nurses and Allies Interest Group (INAIG)
RNAO is proud to announce the Indigenous Nurses and Allies Interest Group (INAIG) for Indigenous nurses, nurses caring for Indigenous patients, and nurses who strive to educate others on issues for Indigenous clients and health providers. It aims to foster and advocate for nursing practice that follows the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Rachel Radyk, INAIG’s chair, says she pushed for the interest group after noticing the lack of education about Indigenous health and Indigenous representation in nursing. “The group will help lay a foundation for nurses interested in allyship and provide a space for Indigenous nurses to connect with their culture and each other,” says Radyk. For a limited time, RNAO members can join INAIG for free. Learn more on the INAIG website.
Black Nurses Leading Change (BNLC)
RNAO’s board of directors also proudly accepted the application of the Black Nurses Leading Change (BNLC) (working title). This group, co-chaired by Daria Adèle Jüudi-Hope and Dania Versailles, emanates from the work of RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force. BNLC will advocate for anti-racism, offer mentorship and provide continuing education. It will be a safe space for Black nurses and nursing students, and allies to network and interact. BNLC’s mission is to tackle anti-Black racism in the nursing profession and advocate for the professional advancement of Black nurses. RNAO members can join the interest group for free here until Oct. 31, 2021.
RNAO President Morgan Hoffarth says the two new interest groups are long overdue and the board of directors is delighted to have these groups to represent Indigenous nurses and Black nurses. “It is incredibly important that all nurses see themselves represented by RNAO and our 30-plus interest groups,” Hoffarth says. “Adding INAIG and BNLC will build on the diligent work RNAO has been doing on Indigenous issues and Black nurses’ issues. On behalf of the board, I am thrilled to welcome both groups. We are looking forward to both supporting them and learning from them.”
RNAO welcomes steps to implement vaccine certificates
Ontario announced on Sept. 1 that, beginning Sept. 22, people must show proof they have received both COVID-19 vaccinations before they can enter high-risk indoor public settings such as bars, casinos, gyms, theatres and indoor dining at restaurants. RNAO welcomed the plan as a necessary “first step” to transition out of the pandemic, but noted there is more action needed. CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun says: “We welcome the announcement. We welcome all that is in it and we will continue to ask for more.” (The London Free Press, Sept. 2). “We need a consistent approach and we don’t have it,” Grinspun adds of other required precautions in light of the dangerous Delta variant. RNAO’s board of directors passed a unanimous motion on the need to do more, which was immediately followed by a media release on Aug. 5 calling on the Ontario and federal governments to enact vaccine passports to keep people safe as they enjoy non-essential activities. “Having a secure passport will allow people who have received both doses of the vaccine to enjoy the things that they have been missing out on for the past 17 months,” says RNAO President Morgan Hoffarth. “We are facing dangerous variants and a fourth wave driven by those who aren’t vaccinated; a vaccine passport helps address that.” (680 News, Aug. 7). Read RNAO’s response to the Sept. 1 announcement, and find out more about ongoing advocacy by visiting Grinspun’s COVID-19 blog for regular updates.
Back-to-school plan falls short
RNAO responded to the province’s school reopening guidelines, outlining gaps in the plan. Ontario students lost more days of in-person instruction than those in any other province or territory. While RNAO agrees a return to school is vital, the plan fails to mandate vaccination for teachers and educational staff and neglects to specify physical distancing requirements in schools. “Given how effective vaccines are in the face of the highly transmissible Delta variant and the emerging Lambda variant, nurses will continue to insist on mandatory vaccination for all educational staff, unless they have a medical exemption,” says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. The government plan requires masking for students in Grades 1 through 12, however the association wants this extended to include those in kindergarten. Sign RNAO’s Action Alert to urge the province to implement mandatory vaccination for health-care workers, teachers and educational staff. (inSauga.com, Aug. 3)
Nurses leaving jobs after COVID-19
Many Ontario RNs and NPs will leave the profession, retire early or switch to part-time work due to the workload and emotional toll of COVID-19, RNAO found in its Work and Wellbeing Survey results. About 13 per cent of early-career RNs say they will be leaving the profession compared to the usual attrition of three per cent. The number of RNs and NPs who are at the retiring age who are planning to retire is higher than usual. RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun says it is not just understaffing but is now a nursing crisis. Some hospitals in Ontario are offering bonuses for out-of-province or retired nurses to become critical care nurses, but Grinspun says that won’t work long term. “That’s a band-aid approach. What we need is the root causes to be dealt with. Bill 124 (legislation that limits wage increases) needs to go, mental health services for nurses need to be increased and workload needs to be decreased. We need to significantly retain and recruit more nurses.” (CTV News, July 23)
Student externships ease staffing pressures in hospitals
The Ontario government pledged more than $117-million to a project to get nursing students into hospitals to help assist with tasks such as bathing, feeding and making beds. The program, called an externship, was developed to help ease the strain on hospital staff during COVID-19’s second wave and was extended in April 2021 to include 38 hospitals with plans to hire more than 4,000 students over the next year. Externships pay students slightly more than minimum wage and allow them to work daily in a hospital setting. Laura Slipp, a recent nursing graduate of the Humber College and University of New Brunswick program in Toronto, completed an externship at Sunnybrook Health Sciences in March 2021. She was then hired to join one of the organization’s resource teams. She says the externship provided the hands-on experience she felt she missed during the pandemic, when clinical placements were restricted. “You learn so much just from being immersed in the hospital setting,” says Slipp. (Globe and Mail, June 1)
Niagara vaccination centre displays messages of hope
At the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment centre in Niagara, a colourful display of hope covers the glass of the main rink.* The mosaic is comprised of post-it-note messages from attendees of the clinics expressing their relief, hope and gratitude. During the 15-minute waiting period after receiving their vaccine, residents are given a pen and post-it-note to share a message. Thousands of community members have left a message. “Now I can see my great grandchild,” one reads. “RELIEF! Thank you,” reads another. RNAO member and clinical lead NP Christina Huntington says she is humbled by the community’s eagerness to participate. She says the brightly coloured notes provide a daily push to keep going. (Globe and Mail, April 3)
* Niagara Health closed the Seymour-Hannah clinic on Aug. 15 and opened a smaller clinic at its St. Catharines site on Aug. 17.
First academic BPSO in Middle East
The University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) is the first academic institution in the Middle East to become an RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO). Academic BPSOs look to RNAO’s best practice guidelines (BPG) to help nursing students use evidence-based knowledge in their studies and clinical placements. UCQ has integrated BPGs into all of its theoretical and practice-based courses to help nursing students make informed decisions and understand how to achieve better patient outcomes. RNAO announced the designation at its annual general meeting on June 24. “It is an absolute privilege to welcome you and recognize the heavy lifting you have done in the past three years to receive your designation. This is especially commendable as you had to do it throughout a pandemic,” says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. (The Peninsula, July 1)
Alliston nurse comes out of retirement to help with vaccination effort
Retired RN Lois Gilmour recently came out of retirement to help vaccinate her community. Gilmour graduated from the Royal Victoria School of Nursing at Georgian College in 1979. She retired in 2018, after working for 18 years at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. Gilmour decided to return to her profession and is now administering COVID-19 vaccines in a Barrie immunization clinic. She says that being part of the vaccination efforts has been one of the biggest honours of her career. However, she notes that being a nurse during this pandemic hasn’t been easy. “Right now, the challenge is keeping my head above water. You’re always worried if you are taking home the virus to your family. There is a lot that weighs on your head.” (MidlandToday.ca, May 31)
