Health policy and advocacy

For the second time in RNAO’s history, Nursing Week (May 10 – 16, 2021) was celebrated virtually amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With the theme of Protecting Ontarians and Leading Change: Nurses and RNAO During COVID-19, the association hosted a variety of fun and informative virtual events to honour the profession and celeb...

On Sept. 20, Canadians voted for a minority liberal government in the federal election. Two RNAO members – Aisha Jahangir and Bert Laranjo – were among the candidates vying for a seat in the House of Commons. Jahangir ran for the NDP and took third in her Guelph riding. Laranjo, a Conservative candidate, came in second in his ri...

On April 30, 2021, Ontario's Long-Term Care (LTC) COVID-19 Commission released its final report with 84 recommendations for change in a sector that has found itself grappling with challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. The commission, announced on May 19, 2020 by Merrilee Fullerton, then Minis...

RNAO members connect virtually with their MPPs for QPOR

As one of RNAO’s annual signature political action events, this year’s iteration looked a bit different due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Participants joined President Morgan Hoffarth and CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun for a four-hour afternoon event that included remarks from the premier, min...

David* is an NP at a walk-in clinic in his area. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, he met Jane, a young mother of two who called the clinic to talk with him about a concerning discharge and palpable lumps in her breasts. A few months prior, she had seen her primary care provider (PCP) with the same concerns and was ordered a mammo...

This past fall, RNAO’s president and CEO connected with members from 12 communities to speak with RNs, NPs and nursing students from chapters, regions and interest groups across the province. Due to the pandemic, the visits took place via Zoom.  President Morgan Hoffarth spoke with members from Durham Region, Kawartha La...

When June Prokop, a retired nurse and current resident at Sault Ste. Marie’s F.J. Davey Home, was asked why she wants to receive four hours of direct care, she responded: “It gets lonely here sometimes, so having the support of the staff makes it easier.” Prokop is just one of the many seniors who call long-term care (LTC) “h...