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Opinion

How nurses can contribute to transforming cancer care systems, by Tracy Truant, RN and Sally Thorne, RN

Recent commentaries by oncology health professionals, patients, journalists and the Minister of Health about the state of cancer care in British Columbia (BC) have revealed significant challenges to delivering timely, high quality cancer care in that province. It is likely that these challenges are actually felt across the country, and are not unique to B.C. Oncology health professionals, including nurses are working to their maximum with the vision to deliver… Read More »How nurses can contribute to transforming cancer care systems, by Tracy Truant, RN and Sally Thorne, RN

Do You Know if YOU are the Bully?

ARNBC does not generally print blogposts from anonymous sources. Ideally nurses could state their opinion on virtually any topic, without repercussions. However, the following blog was submitted by a nurse who feels so threatened in her workplace that she does not feel it would be safe to identify herself publicly. Bullying is a topic that we know impacts many nurses and we feel strongly that it is important to publish this piece… Read More »Do You Know if YOU are the Bully?

Pine for PINE!!! by Joanne Ricci, RN, MScN

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

It’s Time to Talk about CDMR, by Paddy Rodney, RN

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

Doctors Should not be a Business, by Hannah Varto, MN, NP(F)

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)

Reflecting on the B.C. Budget 2014, by Julie Fraser, RN, MN, ARNBC President

Earlier today, February 18, 2014, the B.C. Government revealed its 2014 Budget along with Service Plans for each Ministry.  ARNBC has had some time to reflect on the budget, and hope that registered nurses and nurse practitioners will take an interest in reading the documentation and considering how this budget will impact their practice and Nursing in B.C. Government has identified a 2.3% increase ($385 million) in the health budget… Read More »Reflecting on the B.C. Budget 2014, by Julie Fraser, RN, MN, ARNBC President

Students Push for Renewed Health Accord, by Alexandra Martin, Ashley Schuhmann and Sherella Wyton

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

Lessons from Guatemala: A Student Reflection on the Social Determinants of Health Following an International Practice Experience, by Daniel Leslie

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

Nursing Stereotypes: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, by Lori Campbell RN

There has been a lot of discussion about the image of nursing in the media lately – why all the buzz?  Well, on Thursday, October 24, MTV aired its new reality show Scrubbing In, which follows a group of 20-something travel nurses in Southern California. Based on the trailer, in which these nurses are shown with a heavy focus on looking attractive, partying, and being “hell raisers”, many nursing organizations… Read More »Nursing Stereotypes: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, by Lori Campbell RN

Nurse Practitioners: Essential Health Care Professionals, by Carrie Murphy NP

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