Kimberley Kearsey

Each spring, winter-weary Ontarians watch in anticipation as lawns and parks slowly change from an unappealing brown to a promising green. The birds start to chirp a little louder, and we begin to see buds on trees as they come back to life. It’s a time of new beginnings that also marks one of the busiest seasons at RNAO as we ramp up preparations for the annual general meeting (AGM) in April, and Nursing Week in May. This year, we welcome Angela Cooper Brathwaite, RNAO’s 55th president. As she prepares to take the helm, she shares with us her path to the presidency, and her goals for the next two years. Angela is assuming this important role as Queen’s Park prepares for a provincial election.

Anticipation about heading to the polls in June, and advocacy to advance RNAO’s platform, comes into this issue in several
ways. Our coverage of the association’s signature political event, Queen’s Park Day, for example, delves into the interactions and discussions between nurses and politicians who attended the event, and who realize a firm understanding of health and nursing issues will serve them well if they want to see positive results
 at the ballot box.

Health care is a huge issue for voters in Ontario, but it’s something not every Ontarian can access as easily as you might think. There are thousands of people in this province who are not covered by OHIP for a variety of reasons, and in this issue we tell the story of a handful of RNs and NPs who are trying to help this vulnerable population. They’re doing what they can, but they can’t do it alone. They need all-hands-on-deck to raise awareness of this troubling gap in health services, and their
OHIP for All campaign is one way to enlist more supporters for the cause.

Mobilizing nurses (and others) to push for change is something RNAO understands well. In fact, it’s at the heart of everything we do as a professional association. Our cover feature reveals how 20 years of advocacy on behalf of Ontario NPs has led to well deserved advancement and recognition. As this feature shows, the front-line expertise of members, plus the political influence of RNAO, often equals change that not only benefits the profession, but the public as well.