Standing Together in a Time of Uncertainty by Tania Dick, RN, MN My first President’s update comes at a time when our province is in a great deal of turmoil, which makes sitting down to gather my thoughts, emotions, and reflections a struggle - my nursing self wants to constantly be doing something to help. As nurses we need to almost be a CTAS 1 before we’re still, which is… Read More »Standing Together in a Time of Uncertainty
Use Your Voice! Use Your Vote! by Zak Matieschyn, BSN, MN, RN, NP(Family) I bet every nurse in the province is celebrating the return of warm weather, sunny days and the end of what was for many a frustrating and long winter. For me, one of the big changes coming in the next few months is the end of my presidency of ARNBC and all that comes with that –… Read More »Use Your Voice! Use Your Vote!
The introduction of Nurse Practitioners in B.C has just recently passed the 10 year mark. Throughout this past decade, we have had some notable successes in NP integration - some large, some small. We're finally starting to see general acknowledgment by the Ministry of Health, the health authorities, and even some of our medical colleagues, that nurses with advanced practice education and the appropriate resources to support them can be… Read More »After 10 Years, What's Next for Nurse Practitioners? by Mark Schultz, NP
I live in a great neighbourhood in an amazing little town in the Kootenays. I have a chubby cat. My wife and I have professional, high profile jobs that pay us well. I eat three (and ok, sometimes more) meals every single day and if I’m hungry, I jump in my car and head to the grocery store. I have decent clothes, a warm bed and good health. And I… Read More »Being Poor is Expensive – Nursing Needs to Raise its Game, by Zak Matieschyn BSN, MN, RN, NP(Family)
Reflections of an RN As a Registered Nurse practicing for almost 30 years Nursing Day at the Legislature on May 13th 2015 was a personal and professional highlight of my career. I have always prided myself in being someone who steps beyond their own practice setting, diving into less familiar worlds. As a nurse interacting with patients/families for most of my career I have come face-to-face with issues associated with… Read More »Nursing Day at the Legislature: Reflections from an RN and a Nursing Student, by Lisa Constable, RN and Jennifer Kanai
Seniors Housing in B.C.: Affordable, Appropriate, Available is a new report launched May 21, 2015 by the Office of the Seniors Advocate. This document makes progressive and bold recommendations that will enable better care for seniors and should be reviewed, discussed and acted upon by all B.C. nurses. I was pleased to join Julie Fraser, President of ARNBC, and Patrick Chiu, RN/MPH Student and ARNBC Intern, at the release of… Read More »Seniors Advocate Takes a Strong Stance on Housing for Seniors, by Kathryn Seely
Recently, I had the privilege of joining Joy Peacock, Executive Director of ARNBC, in the B.C. Budget Lockup. For those who are not aware, this is a secured room wherein around 200 stakeholders have an advanced preview of the details of the budget and service plans. This is also where the media interviews these stakeholders in order to get their stories aired in a timely manner following the budget speech.… Read More »Budget Lockup: Insights from ARNBC, by Zak Matieschyn, NP
This year again the BC Ministry of Health has mandated that all healthcare providers must receive the influenza vaccine and if they choose not to, they must wear a mask for the duration of flu season whilst providing patient care. I applaud this decision and am frustrated by some of my colleagues who argue against science and common sense. Let’s examine some of the arguments. Point 1: Flu kills. It… Read More »B.C.’s Flu Shot Policy for Healthcare Providers: it just makes sense, by Hannah Varto, NP
May 12, 2014 was a memorable day for nursing in British Columbia. For the first time in history, a group of 20 nurses travelled to the Legislature to launch nursing week. This was a celebratory event, bringing the family of nursing together to share our stories, and demonstrating our desire to work together with government and each other in a collaborative manner. Our group represented the whole nursing family -… Read More »Advocacy and Unity in Action, by Pam Burton, RN
I had a patient recently go to the Emergency Department (ED) for a pregnancy test! It was a very expensive pregnancy test…not for her, but for our health care system. The cost of this test came out of my pocket and yours. I reflected about how and why our patients use the ED and the unfortunate state of our health care system. The ED has replaced general primary health care… Read More »Doctors Should not be a Business, by Hannah Varto, MN, NP(F)
