Angela Cooper Brathwaite
Each year at this time, the energy at RNAO home office is at its peak intensity as staff work hard helping you to renew your membership and introducing new members to the numerous benefits the association offers.
Membership in RNAO is something I have valued ever since I joined 30 years ago.
I first heard about RNAO while working as a clinical nurse specialist in mental health in 1988. I was talking to the vice president of nursing at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. Back then, it was called Whitby Psychiatric Hospital. I had just moved to Ontario from Manitoba. She invited me to attend a local meeting of the RNAO chapter where I lived (Durham Northumberland).
At that meeting, she introduced me to the chapter president, members of the executive and other members. I was so enthralled by the lively discussions at that meeting, I was hooked. Not only did I join RNAO, I also signed up for two interest groups: the Mental Health Nursing Interest Group (MHNIG) and the Clinical Nurse Specialist Association of Ontario (CNS-ON).
Over the years, I have served as the policy and political action executive network officer (PPAO) for my local chapter, the Nursing Research Interest Group (NRIG) and MHNIG. I was a founding member and the first president of the International Nursing Interest Group (INIG). I also served as chair for the Legal Assistance Program (LAP) committee and the nursing research committee. And, of course, I went on to serve on the board of directors, first as member-at-large, socio-political affairs (1996-98), and then as member-at-large, nursing research (2014-17). I have attended many RNAO annual general meetings (AGM) as a voting member, and I have helped out as a scrutineer.
My RNAO membership has resulted in new friends, expanded my networking skills, particularly with colleagues from different sectors, increased my knowledge and presentation skills at conferences, expanded my advocacy and leadership know-how, and helped pave the way to represent you as president.
Membership in RNAO is something I have valued ever since I joined 30 years ago.
The opportunities to get involved in our professional association are endless. Equally appealing are the benefits, which include LAP (at a bargain rate) and our professional liability protection (PLP) coverage, which are the best in the country. Legal risk is an inevitable part of nursing practice, so being prepared is essential. RNAO’s PLP provides you with assistance for civil lawsuits and criminal investigations. It covers your practice where you work and when you volunteer for nursing activities. It’s a valuable part of your membership and is included in your annual membership fee.
Indeed, it is incredible that RNs and NPs can join for only $256, and even less with ONA ($175). Members who work 15 hours or less per week pay only $88. This includes so many benefits for such an affordable fee.
Many of you may recall the late 1990s as a turbulent time for the profession. Front-line nurses, middle managers, directors of nursing, and nurses in executive positions (such as vice presidents) lost their jobs during re-engineering and downsizing, which was implemented by the provincial government of the day. At that time, I was chair of the LAP committee (1996-98) when numerous nurses accessed the program to ensure they were given suitable settlements from their employers. RNAO was there for nurses to provide them with legal representation and emotional support. LAP also covers RNs and NPs involved in College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) investigations and proceedings. Members who sign up for LAP (it is not a part of the regular membership fee) are also supported when serving as a witness at a legal proceeding (trial or inquiry), or if they are issued a subpoena. The coverage is $60 for the year, and is also helpful for employment matters, such as termination or wrongful dismissal.
As we move into a new membership year, I would like to welcome all first-year nursing students. I also want to thank members who have renewed and those who have joined for the first time.
Regardless of your entry point to RNAO, we appreciate your support. The board of directors, executive committee members of chapters, regions without chapters, and interest groups, as well as our CEO and RNAO staff, look forward to collaborating with you to support and meet your needs.
You may recall that when I assumed the presidency in April, I made a pledge: to reach 45,000 members by 2020. Help me reach this goal by inviting your non-RNAO peers to join our movement.