I run into a consistent portrait every time I head to the bank in Courtenay. A person in borrowed clothing with a head bowed in shame asks, “Can you spare some change?” I wonder, “How can a person like me… a citizen in a democratic society filled with opportunity who eats three meals a day and can afford tuition to start a career, not spare some time to consider what… Read More »Spare Some Change? by Jess Shannon, BSN Student
The recent decision to close several of the main primary care clinics in Vancouver Coastal Health has brought to the forefront grave concerns for not only the public but those of us in higher levels of education who are teaching the principles of primary health care and population health. The UBC School of Nursing has had a long standing partnership with Pine Clinic where our nursing students at both the… Read More »Pine for PINE!!! by Joanne Ricci, RN, MScN
For quite some time we have been hearing about Island Health’s[1. Formerly Vancouver Island Health Authority] Care Delivery Model Redesign (CDMR)[2. CDMR is the acronym for Island Health’s Patient Care Model – similar models may be employed in other health authorities under different names], a patient care model that, according to Island Health: “… not only improves patient care, it enhances the work environment for nursing staff by supporting nurses to… Read More »It’s Time to Talk about CDMR, by Paddy Rodney, 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)
Recent history has shown that Canada needs a formal agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments around how health care services should be delivered. Since 2004, we have had this agreement in the form of the 2004-2014 Health Accord: An Agreement on the Future of Health Care, a document which set out an action plan for healthcare and service delivery in Canada. However, the existing Accord is set to… Read More »Students Push for Renewed Health Accord, by Alexandra Martin, Ashley Schuhmann and Sherella Wyton
Last April, 10 University of Victoria nursing students studying at Selkirk College departed the Kootenays for Guatemala on the 8th International Practice Experience. This opportunity, which is available to students in their third year of the Nursing program, provides students with a hands-on opportunity to explore social justice issues, population and community health, primary health care, and the social determinants of health in developing countries. It was a trip I… Read More »Lessons from Guatemala: A Student Reflection on the Social Determinants of Health Following an International Practice Experience, by Daniel Leslie
On December 17, 2013, a small group of nurse leaders met in Vancouver to discuss the future of nursing in British Columbia, the challenges the profession is facing, and the need to have a stronger voice that represents the interests of the community of nursing. Much of the discussion during this meeting centred on the lack of cohesiveness among nursing groups and lack of respect that many leaders within the… Read More »Nursing Leaders Address the Need for Major Change in Health Policy, by Rob Calnan RN
Earlier today, ARNBC participated in the Ministry of Health’s launch of the Annual Provincial Flu Campaign and hope this event will remind all British Columbians to get an annual flu shot. It’s certainly a great reminder to health professionals that we too need to protect ourselves from influenza. On October 24, 2013, an arbitrator dismissed the grievance brought by the B.C. Health Sciences Association (HSA) against the B.C. government policy… Read More »Flu Shots, Still the Healthy Choice, by Julie Fraser RN
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recently released a report entitled What’s Really Behind Canada’s Unemployed Specialists. A subsequent Vancouver Sun article noted that the report doesn’t address whether there are too many specialists for the Canadian health care system, but does identify a number of possible reasons why newly certified specialists are having trouble finding work (i.e., competition for resources such as operating rooms, hospital beds… Read More »Nurse Practitioners: Essential Health Care Professionals, by Carrie Murphy NP
After what seems like months of anticipation, B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor, Judith Guichon, has called for a provincial election to be held on May 14, 2013. From today on, British Columbians will be inundated with TV ads, opportunities to attend candidate events, front-yard campaign signage and canvassers and candidates knocking on doors. Nursing is one of the most respected, valued and strong professions in B.C. with a long history of providing… Read More »Nurses Speak Up for Health: Election Tools for B.C. Nurses
