Our Nurses
- May 2004
- Français
Nursing Week is celebrated each year throughout Canada and throughout the world to capture Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12. The celebrations are a time to formally recognize the daily dedication and achievements of Nurses, in addition to increasing this awareness among their colleagues' public, policy-makers and government, of the many contributions of nursing to the well-being of Canadians.
"Nurses play a unique role in keeping Niagara healthy. It is, therefore, important to honor, recognize and celebrate the important role Nurses play in providing quality healthcare." All eight hospital sites of the Niagara Health System are taking this opportunity to honor our dedicated nurses for their hard work and commitment during this year's National Nursing Week, May 9-15, says June Duesburry-Porter, Chief Nursing Officer.
The theme is Nursing Knowledge and Commitment at Work and reflects Nurses' current reality. Nurses today are knowledge workers, dealing with increasingly complex cases and issues in the workplace. Nurses Week will be filled with a range of special activities, including a special main event on the evening of Tuesday, May 11.
Nurses' knowledge and commitment is an integral part of the delivery of patient care. "The Niagara Health System feels the theme truly expresses the value and importance of the dedicated work our Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses provide every day. We look forward to Nurses Week being both memorable and enjoyable for all our Nurses," says June Duesburry-Porter, Chief Nursing Officer.
"Nurses' commitment is the cornerstone of patient care 24/7. Nurses Week reminds us that Nurses need to be valued on a daily basis, recognizing that they go above and beyond to provide care for their patients," says Jo Anne Shannon, Local 026 Coordinator, ONA, Bargaining Unit President, NHS.
Colleagues, patients and the public may well see Nurses in a memorable light on Monday, May 10, when Nurses for whom their graduation cap was once part of their everyday dress will be encouraged to wear them once again. "Cap Day is one way in which Nurses can celebrate the richness of the history of our profession and how our collective knowledge increasingly contributes to positive patient outcomes," says June. In addition, morning and afternoon receptions are being held at all NHS hospitals throughout the week.
The Faces of Nursing will be the focus on Tuesday evening at a gala dinner, taking place at Club Italia in Niagara Falls. Hotel Dieu Health Sciences Hospital Nurses will also be attending with NHS staff to hear keynote speaker Michael Bayer, internationally-recognized speaker, author and facilitator.
Carol McDowell RPN, VP SEIU outlines that Nurses' knowledge results in improved outcomes for patients. She further believes this can be achieved in a collaborative Nursing practice with RPNs who function at their full scope of practice within a skill mix of staff. "The enhanced role and scope of practice for RPNs in turn enhances the practice of RNs, and the reverse is equally true. When both RPN and RN practices are enhanced, both patients and Nurses benefit!"
May 12 will focus on Mentorship. This day recognizes the ongoing Mentorship Program, through which Senior Nurses partner with recently-graduated Nurses and those new to Niagara to share both their experience and wisdom. Across the health care system, from novice to expert, and from generalist to specialist, Nurses have a role to play in ensuring that a strong and dynamic Nursing work force is maintained and sustained, re-energized and renewed.
The NHS' role as a Spotlight Organization, identified by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, will be highlighted May 13 to acknowledge NHS nursing achievements. The NHS was chosen as one of seven Spotlight Organizations in Ontario by meeting several criteria including evidence-based nursing practices, patient focus, best practice guidelines and cost-effectiveness. "Being identified as a Spotlight Organization is a wonderful opportunity for our Nurses to expand their knowledge base and is truly representative of the nursing achievements and dedication shown throughout our organization in the past year," says Melanie Stansfield, RN-EC, Project Leader & Research Liaison Nurse.
One of the Best Practice Guideline projects currently underway is a smoking cessation initiative, being piloted at Welland Hospital Site. Project Lead RN Annette Railton is working with Nurses on clinical units to assist in encouraging patients who want to stop smoking. "Many of our patients have tried to quit smoking and have relapsed within the first year," Annette says. "We reaffirm with them that this is a normal part of the quitting process, which usually takes 4 to 10 times of relapse before success."
Lastly, it is also with great pleasure that NHS will be welcoming Doris Grinspun, Executive Director of the RNAO to the Shaver Hospital site on Friday, May 14. At that time, Doris will be able to personally meet members of the Best Practice Guideline Team for Delirium, Dementia and Depression – more fondly known as the "Dream Team" which is being lead by Marion Chipman, Charge Nurse at Shaver. This is truly a reflection of nursing displaying knowledge and commitment at work, says June Duesburry-Porter, Chief Nursing Officer.