Association

of Registered Nurses

of British Columbia

October 30th, 2012

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions

• Presentation: Background and Update on ARNBC

and Current Canadian Nurses Association Initiatives

• Ideas for Developing the Network

– Roundtable Discussion

• Summary and Final Comments

Welcome

Background and Update

1. ARNBC Background

2. Foundational Assumptions

3. 2012 Accomplishments

4. Consultation Summary

5. What next? 2012-2013 ARNBC Strategic Plan

6. Canadian Nurses Association Initiatives

Purposes

• To establish a professional organization for Registered Nurses

• To provide a provincial voice and forum for RNs to contribute to advancing the health

of British Columbians through participation in the development of health and social

policy

• To establish a professional organization that supports and advances the role of the

professional nurse in providing accessible, efficient, and effective health care that

meets the highest standards

• To collaborate with other professional nursing organizations provincially, nationally,

and internationally

• To foster inter and intra professional consultation and collaboration among RNs

and other health care providers

Developing the ARNBC

2010 Incorporated and Board of Directors Appointed

2011 Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Nurses Association in 2011

Formed a Communications Committee and launched our website

Held engagement events: displays at conferences, talks in workplaces, presentations at meetings and to groups of students [22 events in 2011]

Met with representatives of CRNBC, BCNU and CNA

Hosted CNA cross-country tour to BC

7

Foundational Assumptions

1) That the College (CRNBC) and the Union (BCNU) both

fulfill vital functions for our profession

• BC nurses need to remain self-regulating, which

implies a strong regulatory framework

• BC nurses need a strong union that can advocate on

matters of remuneration, working conditions and

benefits

2) That the BC nursing profession requires a strong,

dedicated provincial policy voice.

3) That BC nurses deserve to have full engagement with a

national and international nursing policy voice through

the Canadian Nurses Association and the International

Council of Nurses.

8

Accomplishments 2012

1. Developed a Collaborative Framework with CNA

• Hosted a joint Nursing Forum (September 2011)

• Participated in the CNA Cross Country Tour (December 2011)

• Promoted the CNA Biennium using the ARNBC website and social

media platforms

• Selected 38 BC nurses as voting delegates for the 2012 CNA AGM

• ARNBC was named the jurisdictional member of CNA (June 2012)

– included a CNA representative on the ARNBC Board

2. Established a Provincial Policy Voice

• Published articles on policy topics on the ARNBC Blog

(www.arnbc.ca/blog)

• Met with the BC Minister of Health, the CNA and senior Ministry

officials (December 2011)

• Participated in a Ministry session on the role of RNs and NPs in

primary care

• Provided consultation to the Ministry of Health on Immunization

Policy and Nurse Anesthesiologists

Accomplishments 2012

3. National Perspective

• Met with premiers during the January Council of the Federation

Meeting in Victoria

• Participated in an invitational roundtable on the sustainability of

Canada’s health system

• Participated on the National Advisory Committee for the CNS and NP

Roles in Canada-Briefing Note Project sponsored by the Canadian

Centre for Advanced Practice Nursing Research

Accomplishments 2012

4. International Perspective

• Posted International Council of Nurses information on our website

• Engaged in discussion around the discontinuation of CIDA funding to

the CNA’s International Program

Accomplishments 2012

5. Structure and Governance

• Developed bylaws which have been approved and filed with the BC

Registrar of Companies

• Carried out the first election for the ARNBC Board of Directors (May

2012)

• Held the Association’s first AGM on May 9th live and via webcast to

55 sites

Accomplishments 2012

6. Financial Sustainability

• Obtained another year of funding from CNA for 2012-2013

• Considered options for funding through Board deliberations and

consultations with BC nurses

• Developed a strategy to consider funding options that will honour

nurses’ concerns about fees and sustainability

• Identified funding models of other professional bodies for

consideration at 2013 AGM

Accomplishments 2012

7. Communications Strategy

• Established a online network via social media including a lively an

active and lively blog

• Refreshed website with new features and sent out regular e-blasts

• Been invited to and participated in numerous conferences and speaking

engagements

• Planned and carried out a 47-session consultation process with BC

nurses

• Built relationships with BCNU and CRNBC

• Article in the upcoming Canadian Nurse Magazine

Accomplishments 2012

What Nurses Have Told Us:

The Issues

• Fatigue and sense of powerlessness to influence practice

• Loss of voice and presence in health system

• Fear of reprisal for speaking out

• Concern re: loss of professional identity and visibility of profession

• Concern re: loss of RN role in health system (LPN replacement

models)

• Sense of loss of a professional association and questions regarding

how the professional voice will be supported and sustained with

agreement that it is missing and needed

What Nurses Have Told Us:

Recommendations

• Build a sustainable professional association

• Negotiate with CRNBC regarding assets and activities

• Strengthen nursing leadership and influence at policy tables in

government and health authorities

• Advocate for evidence informed care delivery models

• Position the RN and NP role in primary care

• Enhance professional identity of RNs

• Establish linkages with professional practice nursing groups in BC

ARNBC Strategic Plan

• Governance: sustainable business plan development

– Build foundation for membership

– Discussions with CRNBC regarding synergies and shared resources

• Engagement of BC Nurses through innovative communications, community

development and public relations strategies

– NP Campaign beginning in October

– Re-establishing connections among Nursing Specialty Groups

• Partnerships and collaboration with government, nursing and health organizations

– Toward inclusion of nursing perspectives in public policy

– Toward preparing for the profession of the future

Canadian Nurses Association

Update

• Expert commission – Next Steps

• Biennium Resolutions

• Council of the Federation

• Nurse Practitioner Campaign

• Queen’s Jubilee Medals

• ICN Conference

What can an Association do for me?

Connect me with other Registered Nurses across BC.

Include my voice in influencing health and social policy issues.

Link me to with the national and international nursing and

interprofessional organizations.

Support my professional practice and advance the profession of

nursing.

Ideas for Developing the Network

Round Table Discussion - Identify:

1. Mutual goals and potential benefits of a Network.

2. Supports needed for connecting with your members in BC and other

colleagues in your specialty across Canada.

3. Methods to connect with ARNBC and CNA.

4. Role of ARNBC in coordinating a specialty nursing network.

5. Ideas for methods of communication.

6. Interest in having a dedicated space on the ARNBC website for the

groups.

7. Plans for future meetings (frequency, location and other considerations).

8. Name of Network

Summary