National Nursing Week

Reflecting on the national theme #YESThisIsNursing, Breton foresees an exciting future for nurses. "LPNs have always been nimble to make sure they work within the system as the population's needs change," she says. "The profession changes to keep moving forward, and technology is just another changing aspect in the field of practical nursing. Nurses play a role in the evolving technology." As both an RN and an LPN herself, Breton offers a unique perspective on the profession. "I've been nursing for almost 30 years," she says. "It's like a candy store — once you step in, you won't know what to choose because there are so many options." COLLEGE OF REGISTERED PSYCHIATRIC NURSES OF MANITOBA Registered psychiatric nurses take a uniquely holistic approach to patient care. "We try to look at the entire person because we need all of those pieces to be healthy. It's about their physical and mental well-being but also their social, emotional, cultural and spiritual well-being," says Isabelle Jarrin, president of the board of directors of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba. "RPNs have the education and knowledge to provide that approach. We want to collaborate with our clients and families and communities. We see ourselves as partners in their care." The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba is preparing to come under the Regulated Health Professions Act in the future, she adds. "We are one of the three regulated nursing professions in Manitoba, along with LPNs and RNs. We have a lot of similar core base competencies and nursing background, but the education is different. Our education is more focused on mental health," Jarrin explains. "The undergraduate program leads to a bachelor of science in psychiatric nursing. It is offered through Brandon University, and they have a Winnipeg site as well." With more than 1,000 RPNs in Manitoba, the majority work in mental health with individuals, families, groups and communities. Others work in long-term care, such as personal care homes and geriatric rehabilitation. Although nurses often tend to shy away from attention, National Nursing Week provides an opportunity to pause and appreciate all they do. "We're very collaborative, so it's an opportunity to celebrate one of the professions that's part of the health-care team. Because we have RPNs and RNs and LPNs at the table, it's well-rounded care — and that's a strength for our clients and our families." RPNs can also take pride in the fact that they make up the largest single group of regulated mental health professionals in the province. "In terms of the impact that RPNs bring, we see ourselves as collaborative and we bring a holistic approach. It goes along the whole spectrum," Jarrin says. "There's mental health promotion and well-being, and on the other end of the spectrum, there is illness. It's about navigating and meeting the person wherever they're at." ASSOCIATION OF REGISTERED NURSES OF MANITOBA Created by nurses for nurses, the Association of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (ARNM) was incorporated in January 2016. "We are the professional voice of registered nurses in Manitoba. The professional association is required with our Regulated Health Professions Act that was brought forward through the government," says executive director Mary Smith. "Three years ago, a very dedicated, passionate group of nurses said we need to have that collective voice, and we need to be able to advocate for the profession and continually promote professional development. That is basically the mandate of the association." Today, ARNM represents more than 87 per cent of registered nurses in Manitoba. "It's voluntary, so we are very happy that they see the value in being a member. As a profession, it's part of our professional responsibility to support and be part of that collective voice," Smith says. "We are also the jurisdictional member for the Canadian Nurses Association, which is our national body, and for our professional liability protection that all nurses practising in Manitoba are required to have," she adds. "Nurses turn to us for advocacy. If there are questions or concerns they might have about the health-care system or their professional development, we are here for them. We are a small staff, but we have the ability to connect with all our members who have tremendous expertise." Members can access online resources through the association's website. It also offers professional development opportunities that members can access in person or remotely from across the province. "That whole idea of lifelong learning is so important because health- care issues change so frequently. We want to keep nurses well informed on trending topics so that we are effectively involved," Smith says. "Our association feels that the work we do is ultimately to improve the health outcomes of Manitobans." During National Nursing Week, the association will launch a nomination process for nursing awards. "For Nursing Week, we also plan to get out as much as we can to engage and consult with our members," Smith says. "It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate nursing excellence." ✚ WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 3 #YESThisIsNursing MAY 7-13, 2018 NATIONAL NURSING WEEK 2018 Julie Miller fills a newly created role as a clinical resource nurse at the Grace Hospital. Happy National Nursing Week! Celebrating the profession of nursing and the dedication of our members. arnm.ca The Professional Voice of Registered Nurses ARNM WFP Banner Ad_FINPRINT_Apr11.indd 1 2018-04-11 5:03 PM "Even with all of the systemic changes taking place in the health-care system, patient safety remains our number one priority," Miller says. "It's very important that we all work together to ensure everyone is getting the care they need, and that it's being done safely and efficiently. Our role is to help get people back home where they want to be." Now entering her eighth year at the Grace Hospital, Miller is one of three professionals on her floor filling a newly created role as clinical resource nurse (CRN). "The role is fairly new to the medicine program," Miller says. "Part of my role is to provide leadership to staff and to ensure we are following clinical practices and guidelines. I also act as the liaison between staff, physicians, and the unit manager to make sure clinical orders are being completed and patients are receiving optimal care. "In the long term, I see the role turning into something where nurses come up to me whenever they have difficulties with a new procedure or they want someone to coach them through something. I see it as a pivotal role in managing the flow and getting patients the care they deserve." Teamwork remains critical to success, she says. "We are a clinical teaching unit, so we have nurses, medical students and residents, attending physicians, and specialists such as home-care co-ordinators, physiotherapists, occupational therapists — all the specialties needed to help a patient return to their health baseline. Because we're all busy with respect to the activities involved in our own disciplines, we need to take the time to meet together and make sure that everyone is doing what's required. Communication is the biggest key to success. Without it, things may be missed and not get done." Grace Hospital is one of the three fully acute hospitals (the others being Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg and St. Boniface Hospital) where emergency and acute services are being consolidated to enhance 24-7 access to specialist care and diagnostic services. "The advantage to patients is that by concentrating on acute care, we're more quickly getting them back home, where they want to be, supported with resources," Miller says. "Those who are waiting in emergency for a room don't have to wait as long, and that's an advantage for them." The challenge, she says, comes from staff and patients getting accustomed to Grace Hospital's new focus on acute care. "The biggest change from when I started eight years ago is that people stayed in hospital longer and stayed in the same hospital, no matter what their acuity level was. Now, there are new services and places they can go to receive the optimal level of care they need at different stages of their healing journey. We tell our patients that we will handle the acute portion of their care, but when that's complete, they may move to a sub-acute bed at, say, Victoria Hospital because they may need a little bit of time to improve their mobility, or because more time is required to wean them off of oxygen. Or they may become a Priority Home patient, where they'll receive care that can help ensure they are managing well at home. They're still going to receive all the care they need, but it may not all happen at the Grace. Once we've explained it that way, patients better understand why these changes are taking place." Overall, Miller says it's a more efficient system that benefits the patient. "Efficiency has been added to the system. It's a little challenging to nurses and other staff now, because these changes are still new to us. We need time to learn what our resources are and how they can be accessed, but at the end of the day, once it's all flowing and working optimally, it's going to be great." And, throughout all the changes, the rewards of being a nurse remain intact. "It's a lot of work, but in the end you are seeing patients at a very vulnerable time in their lives, and you're there to help them through it. That is something not everybody gets to do, and it's very rewarding." ✚ PHOTO BY NATASHA WOLOSCHUK / WINNIPEG REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY DELIVERING THE RIGHT CARE NURSES MAINTAIN MOTIVATION IN CHANGING HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM By Mike Daly / Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Grace Hospital nurse Julie Miller has been on the front lines of health-care system changes aimed at providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time. But her overall goal, and that of her colleagues, has remained the same. << Continued from page 1 PHOTO BY NATASHA WOLOSCHUK / WINNIPEG REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

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