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
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
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?
May 12, 2014 was a memorable day for nursing in British Columbia. For the first time in history, a group of 20 nurses travelled to the Legislature to launch nursing week. This was a celebratory event, bringing the family of nursing together to share our stories, and demonstrating our desire to work together with government and each other in a collaborative manner. Our group represented the whole nursing family -… Read More »Advocacy and Unity in Action, by Pam Burton, 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
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
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
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
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
