NNPBC Blog

The Challenges of Working in Rural Health, by Michael Sandler, RN

Approximately eighty five percent of British Columbians live and work in a city or within a short distance of a town that has a population of at least 1,000 residents. This has an important impact on healthcare as certain services can only be found in cities and towns with a large population base. If you live in a large or even moderate sized city, and you need to navigate through… Read More »The Challenges of Working in Rural Health, by Michael Sandler, RN

After 10 Years, What's Next for Nurse Practitioners? by Mark Schultz, NP

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

Being Poor is Expensive – Nursing Needs to Raise its Game, by Zak Matieschyn BSN, MN, RN, NP(Family)

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)

Nursing Stepping up to Support New Syrian-Canadians, by Maylene Fong, RN

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

Nursing Students Raise the Alarm on the Future of the Profession, by CNSA with Micah Thompson

Financial strains on health care, the mass exodus of retiring nurses and a high attrition rates of nursing graduates will continue to have serious implications on our healthcare system. As nursing students and future registered nurses (RNs), these current healthcare facts urged the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) to write a letter explaining why nurses are essential to the healthcare system and some of the current challenges both nursing students… Read More »Nursing Students Raise the Alarm on the Future of the Profession, by CNSA with Micah Thompson

Tools of the Trade, by Lori Campbell, RN

If Michelle Collins and Joy Behar of The View have learned anything in the last two days, I hope it’s that their flippant comments were misinformed and hurtful – not to mention targeted to a group of professionals who have committed their lives, passion, knowledge and skills to caring for people just like them. If you haven’t seen it yet, these two hostesses of The View were commenting on Miss… Read More »Tools of the Trade, by Lori Campbell, RN

Nurses and Shiftwork: Sleep Well to Be Well, by Dr. Carolyn Gotay

It’s estimated that most people spend one-third of their lives sleeping, but until recently, the links between sleep and health were not well understood. Recent research has identified relationships between disrupted sleep and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers, suggesting that sleep has significant effects on health and well-being. There are an estimated 4.1 million shift-workers in Canada, and approximately 1.9 million regularly work shifts between… Read More »Nurses and Shiftwork: Sleep Well to Be Well, by Dr. Carolyn Gotay

President's Message: Looking Forward, by Zak Matieschyn, BSN, MN, RN, NP(Family)

I am honoured to write my first President’s Message to the registered nurses and nurse practitioners of British Columbia who have entrusted me to lead the Association over the next two years. I look forward to the challenge ahead with excitement at the potential that exists for the Association and nursing to make transformative changes in the healthcare system, the nursing profession and the lives of individual RNs and NPs. The… Read More »President's Message: Looking Forward, by Zak Matieschyn, BSN, MN, RN, NP(Family)

Nursing Day at the Legislature: Reflections from an RN and a Nursing Student, by Lisa Constable, RN and Jennifer Kanai

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

Back to the future – from evolution to devolution and back again, by Heather Mass, RN

As a granddaughter, daughter and mother of registered nurses (RNs) who, with me, have lived the history of nursing in B.C., and as a registered nurse who was privileged to be involved in the “Association” work of RNABC through the 1990’s and who was involved in the creation of ARNBC, it feels appropriate for me to share my thoughts on the history of nursing in this province at this time.… Read More »Back to the future – from evolution to devolution and back again, by Heather Mass, RN