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Opinion

A Passion for History, A Place in the Present, by Jennifer M.L. Stephens, RN

The B.C. History of Nursing Society (BCHNS) is thrilled to support the Association of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (ARNBC) as a fresh voice for professional nursing in our beautiful province. Our own organization was organized in 1989 as a professional practice group under the Registered Nurses Association of B.C. (RNABC) (now the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia).  BCHNS members are passionate about researching, preserving, and sharing B.C.… Read More »A Passion for History, A Place in the Present, by Jennifer M.L. Stephens, RN

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

After the Error: How the Nursing Profession is Saving Lives, by Robin Wyndham and Susan McIver

Three years ago I began working with Susan McIver on a book about Canadians who had endured personal tragedy as a result of medical errors. After the Error: Speaking Out About Patient Safety to Save Lives (April 2013, ECW Press, Toronto) tells the stories of these patients and their efforts to prevent similar suffering of others. The book provides numerous examples of what has been done to promote safer health… Read More »After the Error: How the Nursing Profession is Saving Lives, by Robin Wyndham and Susan McIver

Making a Difference for those with Mental Illness, by Scott Harrison RN

The events of the past week in Newtown, Connecticut are almost beyond comprehension.  Whilst the media attempt to help the public ‘make sense’ of a senseless tragedy, social media sites are alive with debate on who is to blame, how further tragedy can be avoided and questions about what happens next. As a Registered Nurse who has worked with marginalized populations for my (to date) 20 year career in nursing,… Read More »Making a Difference for those with Mental Illness, by Scott Harrison RN

Mourning and Moving On in Newtown: How can nursing influence policy change?, by Suzanne Campbell NP PhD

It was a normal Friday morning and having not yet weaned myself from “Good Morning America” after six months in B.C., I was checking in on the news.  I was shocked to hear of a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut, my home for the past twelve years until I moved to Vancouver last summer. Shock and disbelief followed, but the early reports did not sound too… Read More »Mourning and Moving On in Newtown: How can nursing influence policy change?, by Suzanne Campbell NP PhD

A Nursing Call to Action: Are we ready to respond?, by Jeanne Besner RN PhD

In the recently released report of the National Expert Commission (NEC), nurses were challenged to use their collective knowledge to be a mighty force in ensuring better health, better care and better value in healthcare delivery for all Canadians. The Commission noted that new models of care delivery “should be centred on what individuals and families need, should treat the individual as a whole person…, and should ensure that all… Read More »A Nursing Call to Action: Are we ready to respond?, by Jeanne Besner RN PhD

Flu Shots for Healthcare Workers: Government Answers Your Questions

On October 24, 2012, we posted about Government’s new influenza protection policy for health workers.  The discussion has been ongoing ever since, and several nurses have submitted comments or emailed us with questions about how the new policy will impact them.  Not wanting to leave our readers hanging, we asked the Ministry to provide answers to some of the key questions nurses have raised. 1.  Could the Association work with… Read More »Flu Shots for Healthcare Workers: Government Answers Your Questions

Nurses do that???? by Nickie Snyder RN

In order to effectively advocate for health issues and the nursing profession, the public needs to understand what nurses do. However many people still do not know the vast range of activities nurses perform. This summer, many of us will gather with friends and family for BBQs. We will eat, talk, laugh and share. Inevitably, at some point the conversation will turn to work.  Many of you will make a… Read More »Nurses do that???? by Nickie Snyder RN