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
Healthy Baby Feeding Initiative for Vulnerable Populations by Shauna Mc Goldrick and Viktorija Glambinskaite, BSN Students As nursing students with a passion for public health and health promotion, we were incredibly fortunate to work with Sheway during our public health promotion clinical placement at Vancouver Community College. Sheway is a Pregnancy Outreach Program located in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver (DTES) that provides health and social service supports to pregnant… Read More »Healthy Baby Feeding Initiative for Vulnerable Populations
Please note, this post originally appeared on the ARNBC Blog in December 2016. It is shared with permission. The Opioid Crisis Can't Be Just a Headline for the Nursing Profession by Zak Matieschyn, BSN, MN, RN, NP(Family) I've had some great experiences during my year and a half as ARNBC president, but one will stand out for me long after my presidency ends. This week, I and a group of… Read More »The Opioid Crisis Can’t Be Just a Headline for the Nursing Profession
In the first six months of this year, 371 British Columbians died due to an overdose. This is a 74.2% increase from the previous year. Almost one quarter of these deaths are people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiod was detected alone or in combination with other drugs in up to 60% of overdose deaths. Frequently, people consume Fentanyl unknowingly. Overdose deaths are now the… Read More »Overdose Deaths in B.C. - Time to Scale up Supervised Consumption Services, by Dr. Bernie Pauly, RN
Please note, this post originally appeared on the ARNBC Blog in June 2016. It is shared with permission. The role of street nurses in increasing access to health care for marginalized populations By Meaghan Thumath, RN, BScN, MSc PH The downtown eastside is a fascinating place to practice nursing with a rich history, diverse population and artistic flair. It is also a place where many people struggle daily without adequate… Read More »The role of street nurses in increasing access to health care for marginalized populations
The last report from the United Nation Refugee Agency estimates that 4.3 million Syrians have been externally displaced as a result of civil war in their homeland. That is roughly the population of B.C. Media coverage of the refugee crisis gives us the tiniest glimpse into the desperation faced by Syrian families who have been forced to leave their homes, families and friends in search of safety. For many Canadians,… Read More »Nursing Stepping up to Support New Syrian-Canadians, by Maylene Fong, RN
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
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
Each year the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) presents Awards of Excellence to highlight the achievements of noteworthy Registered Nurses in British Columbia. One of these awards is for excellence in advocacy. According to CRNBC, the advocacy award is given to “registered nurses who have made outstanding efforts in advocating for health benefits to a specific group” (CRNBC, 2013). I was humbled and honoured to receive this award… Read More »Advocacy is the Core of Nursing, by Suki Grewal, RN
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
