National Nursing Week

The Saskatoon StarPhoenix • thestarphoenix.com

P O S T M E D I A S A S K A T C H E WA N S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

C5

Monday, May 12, 2014

national

may 12-18,2014

A LeAding Force For chAnge

Province reviewing mental health and addictions services

By Robyn Tocker For L-P Specialty Products There are over 900 psychiatric nurses (RPNs) working in Saskatchewan. These dedicated workers are now educated at SIAST, at a diploma and degree level, to help those who are in need of mental health care.

With so many women and men doing their best to provide the right care for the right patient, it’s important they have all the support and services they need.

Recently, the provincial government appointed Fern Stockdale Winder to head a review of mental health and addiction services in the province.

Robert Allen, the executive director of Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan, said that once Winder has done extensive consultations with stakeholders, she will prepare a report for an action plan for the provincial government to address needs in the province for the coming years.

For RPNs in the province, this could mean that muchneeded resources to meet the needs of their clients will be more forthcoming. As the largest group of regulated professionals delivering mental health services, they are in need of special services to help them do their job.

With the appointment of a mental health commissioner,

With the provincial government’s appointment of a mental health commissioner, psychiatric nurses in Saskatchewan could receive more of the resources they need in order to help their patients.

Photo by Stockbyte, Thinkstock

RPNs may see an increase in seamless service between departments and agencies and more ability to help clients with complex needs.

However, the real benefit of having a mental health commissioner in Saskatchewan will be directed more toward the public than the nurses. It’s important, Allen said, so those in need of care have the right provider at the right time.

In Canada, there has been a mental health commission for the past seven years, with a 10year mandate. Saskatchewan, unfortunately, is a late adapter to this mandate. Other provinces, said Allen, have already developed strategies for dealing with mental health.

“Mental health is often the first casualty of budget cutbacks, and there is little consistency between health regions in the

province,” said Allen.

Because other provinces have already made changes to how they handle mental health, this means Saskatchewan has examples to look to and can “get this right,” as Allen said.

There are also many good and promising practices in our own province and, thanks to the appointment of a commissioner, these can now be highlighted.

Allen’s hope is that this

commissioner will give increased access to services for people desperate for mental health care, and also reduce the stigma of mental health by having it more integrated into the system.

There’s a good chance this will happen.

“Hopefully this process can provide proof of the need to provide increased prevention, mental health promotion and intervention,” said Allen.

He said he believes that this appointment of a mental health commissioner is for one year, to do her review and compile a report with recommendations.

“This is a time-limited appointment, so we are hopeful of a full report with good recommendations to result in quality mental health services for our population, as mental health affects everyone,” said Allen.

Besides this commissioner, Allen explained, the province is already seeing positive changes for the mental health sector. Saskatchewan now has psychological health standards for the workplace and access to mental health first aide, and more attention is placed on preventing and promoting mental health.

“We need to maintain the focus and ensure resources are appropriately provided now to reduce costs and avoid the consequences of not taking action,” said Allen.

SIAST and U of R now offering master of nursing program For L-P Specialty Products Nurses have had an expanding role in healthcare settings across the country. To prepare nurses for our dynamic healthcare system, the University of Regina (U of R) and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) are partnering to offer a new master of nursing (nurse practitioner) program.

“We are excited about this unique partnership with SIAST and the opportunity to educate nurse practitioners in the province of Saskatchewan. By using state-of-the-art technology, we will create maximum access for registered nurses in Saskatchewan who wish to pursue their master’s degree,” said David Gregory, dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the U of R. “We are delighted to partner with the U of R in the delivery of the Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program,” said Netha Dyck, dean of Nursing at SIAST. “Rural registered nurses are well integrated in their community; for them to have the opportunity to engage in a master of nursing (nurse practitioner) program that they can access from at home and complete in their community is powerful. These RNs prepare

themselves to provide broader, more in-depth services right within their own community.”

Nurse practitioners work with family physicians and healthcare teams in collaborative relationships to provide services to individuals and families across the life span. They also work independently to diagnose and

“

For [rural registered nurses] to have the opportunity to engage in a master of nursing (nurse practitioner) program that they can access from at home and complete in their community is powerful. These RNs prepare themselves to provide broader, more indepth services right within their own communities.

Dr. Netha Dyck Dean of Nursing, SIAST

”

treat common health problems, manage stable chronic illness, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, perform specific clinical procedures, and refer patients to specialists and other healthcare providers when needed. Nurse practitioners

participate in health-related community policy development, health promotion and illness prevention. They work in health centres in rural and northern settings, in First Nations communities, and in community clinics and long-term care facilities throughout the province.

Faculty members at both the U of R and SIAST worked in partnership to develop the program. Applications for the program are currently being accepted, and some students have already been enrolled. A total of 20 combined full-time and part-time seats are available, although there is a possibility that additional seats will be available in the future.

The program, which will begin in September 2014, is comprised of online courses and approximately 702 hours of clinical practice. Each student will be required to spend one week in Regina, but the majority of the clinical hours can be completed at any approved site in Saskatchewan. This opens the program up to nurses throughout the province. ”Nurse practitioners play a central role in the provision of primary health care,” said Dyck.

Gregory agreed, adding, “The

The online nature of the master of nursing program means that nurses do not need to relocate to Regina in order to enrol.

Photo by iStock, Thinkstock

goals of primary health care are to improve access to care, provide patient and family-centered care, promote the health of the population, and contribute to a sustainable healthcare system”.

In order to be accepted into the program, applicants must have: an undergraduate degree in nursing; an overall average grade of 70 per cent, but a 75 per cent average over the

last two years of their nursing program; an academic reference; a professional reference; and a clinical reference. Applicants must also submit a resumé and complete an essay explaining how they would handle the demands of the program.

More information about the program, including how to apply, can be found at www. sasknursingdegree.ca.

Celebrate National Nursing Week - May 12 - 18, 2014 Nursing - A LEADING FORCE FOR CHANGE

Join us in celebrating Nursing Week Week..

Take time to reflect on the contribution nursing makes in helping the people of Saskatchewan maintain, and enhance their health and quality of life.

SASXR204453_1_1

nursing C6

week

national

The Saskatoon StarPhoenix • thestarphoenix.com

Monday, May 12, 2014

Nurses across Canada taking part in Wear White campaign By

By Judy Judy Bird Bird For For L-P L-P Specialty Specialty Products Products

Nurses: Caring for you

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency nurses are part of an important team in the fight against cancer.

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency operates prevention and early detection programs, provides safe, quality cancer treatment and conducts innovative research. www.saskcancer.ca

Registered Registered Nurses Nurses (RNs) (RNs) across across the the country country are are making making a a small small change change in in their their appearance appearance at at work, and it is having work, and it is having a a huge huge impact impact on on patients patients and and patient patient safety.

The RNs are safety. The RNs are opting opting to to wear wear white, white, reflecting reflecting a a return return to to the the uniform uniform of of yesteryear yesteryear that that made made them easily identifiable. them easily identifiable. It’s It’s part part of of the the Wear Wear White White campaign, campaign, and and the the Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Union Union of of Nurses Nurses (SUN) (SUN) is is encouraging encouraging their their members members to to take take part. part.

“The Wear “The Wear White White campaign campaign is is about registered nurses about registered nurses standing standing out out from from other other care care providers providers so so that that patients patients know know who who their their care care provider provider is,” is,” said said Tracy Tracy Zambory, Zambory, SUN president.

“All SUN president. “All professions professions in in the the healthcare healthcare system system are are important, but we important, but we are are not not interchangeable.” interchangeable.”

Many Many people people will will remember remember the instantly identifiable the instantly identifiable white white uniform uniform that that nurses nurses wore wore in in the the past, complete with a hat with past, complete with a hat with two two black black stripes. stripes. It It wasn’t wasn’t a a hard hard and and fast fast rule, rule, though, though, and and in in the the 1990s, 1990s, a change to coloured uniforms a change to coloured uniforms became became the the trend. trend. Later, Later, hats hats were discontinued were discontinued for for infection infection control control and and other other reasons. reasons.

Identifying Identifying the the RNs RNs amid amid the the other other workers became a challenge workers became a challenge for for patients. patients. SUN SUN heard heard this this message message loud and clear from public loud and clear from public polls polls it it conducted: conducted: 80 80 per per cent cent of of respondents respondents said said it it was was important important for them to be able for them to be able to to identify identify the the RNs. RNs.

may 12-18,2014

A LeAding Force For chAnge

SRNA encourages lifelong learning for best patient care By

By Lori Lori Wiens Wiens For For L-P L-P Specialty Specialty Products Products

Photo by Greg Huszar Photo by Greg Huszar

“The “The public public tells tells SUN SUN that that they don’t know the they don’t know the RN RN from from the the housekeeper, housekeeper, and and that that becomes becomes a a patient patient safety safety concern. concern. We’ve We’ve been been told told that that they they want want registered registered nurses nurses to to stand stand out out so so that that when when they look in the hallway, they look in the hallway, they they see see the the person person in in the the black black and and white, white, that’s that’s who who they’re they’re going going to to go go to to and ask the important questions. and ask the important questions. ” ” The The movement movement for for RNs RNs to to wear wear white white began began in in Atlantic Atlantic Canada a few years Canada a few years ago, ago, and and then then moved west to Alberta, where moved west to Alberta, where “Wear “Wear White White Wednesday” Wednesday” was was promoted. promoted. It It is is voluntary, voluntary, and and in in Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, the the emphasis emphasis is is for for RNs RNs to to wear wear a a white white top top and and black black pants pants at at least least one one day day a a week. week.

“It is how we can assert “It is how we can assert our our professional professional practice practice in in the the workplace.

There are so many workplace. There are so many people people on on the the floor, floor, in in the the unit, unit, in the facility.

When a person in the facility. When a person comes comes in in and and they’re they’re stressed stressed for for a a myriad myriad of of reasons, reasons, if if the the Registered Nurse is wearing Registered Nurse is wearing white, white,

they they don’t don’t have have to to figure figure out out who who is who.

When patients feel is who. When patients feel they they know know who who their their caregiver caregiver is, is, they they feel very confident in the care feel very confident in the care that that they’re they’re getting. getting. Our Our members members have have immense immense pride. pride. Registered Registered Nurses Nurses bring bring a a unique unique set set of of skills skills and knowledge to the workplace, and knowledge to the workplace, which which has has been been gained gained through through their education and their education and training,” training,” said said Zambory.

Zambory.

The The campaign campaign has has been been so so successful on the east coast successful on the east coast that that it it has has now now become become part part of of the the collective agreement for collective agreement for nurses nurses in in Nova Nova Scotia.

Scotia. In In Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Zambory said feedback Zambory said feedback has has been been very positive already, too. very positive already, too. “RNs “RNs who who wear wear white white and and black black more more often are reporting that often are reporting that the the patients patients are are saying, saying, ‘We ‘We absolutely absolutely love this, we can identify love this, we can identify the the RN RN immediately.’

When people immediately.’ When people start start to to get get that that kind kind of of feedback feedback from from their patients, we absolutely their patients, we absolutely know know that that we’re we’re moving moving in in the the right right direction.” direction.”

C7

Monday, May 12, 2014

Advances Advances in in medical medical knowledge knowledge and and technology technology help help nurses nurses provide provide quality quality care care to to their their patients. patients. But But keeping keeping up up with the fast-paced with the fast-paced changes changes can can be be a a challenge, challenge, according according to to the the president president of of the the Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Registered Registered Nurses Nurses Association Association (SRNA), the (SRNA), the regulatory regulatory board board for for registered registered nurses nurses and and nurse nurse practitioners practitioners in in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan.

“With “With everything everything moving moving as fast as it as fast as it is, is, we we are are constantly constantly seeking seeking new new information,” information,” said said Signy Klebeck, Signy Klebeck, who who also also teaches teaches in in the the Nursing Nursing Education Education Program Program Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Collaborative Collaborative Bachelor Bachelor of of Science Science in in Nursing.

Nursing.

“It doesn’t matter where “It doesn’t matter where you you go, go, education is huge.

As nurses, education is huge. As nurses, we we always always need need increased increased education education and and knowledge knowledge to to provide provide safe, safe, competent competent and and quality quality care. care.

We We draw draw on on a a diverse diverse source source of of knowledge from the sciences, knowledge from the sciences, humanities, humanities, research, research, ethics, ethics, spirituality, relational spirituality, relational practice, practice, critical critical inquiry inquiry and and the the principles principles of of primary primary care. care. To To successfully successfully achieve achieve this, this, RNs RNs must must embrace embrace lifelong learning.” lifelong learning.”

Even Even after after working working as as an an RN RN for for more more than than 30 30 years, years, Klebeck Klebeck is is still still amazed amazed by by how how quickly quickly things change.

“Every things change. “Every time time II go go to to a a medical medical or or surgical surgical ward, ward, there there is is something something new. new. It’s It’s up up to to us us to to make make sure sure we we are are aware aware of of

any any changes changes and and how how they they may may impact patient care,” she impact patient care,” she said. said.

One One of of most most significant significant impacts on the impacts on the profession profession has has come come from from technology. technology. “From “From technology technology at at the the bedside bedside to to communicating with communicating with doctors, doctors, technology technology has has had had a a huge huge effect on everything effect on everything we we do,” do,” she she said. said. For For example, example, smart smart phone phone applications applications like like Nursing Nursing Central, Central, diagnostic testing diagnostic testing equipment equipment and and even even things things like like new new electric electric beds have influenced beds have influenced nurses’ nurses’ best best practices. practices. “These “These all all improve improve patient outcomes,” Klebeck patient outcomes,” Klebeck said. said.

Other Other strategies strategies in in teaching teaching nursing nursing students students and and postpostgraduate nurses include graduate nurses include a a greater greater presence presence of of simulation simulation training, training, which which provides provides life-like life-like situations situations in a controlled setting. in a controlled setting. “I “I think think simulation simulation is is the the way way of of the the future,” future,” Klebeck Klebeck said. said. Finding Finding opportunities opportunities to to provide provide handshandson on clinical clinical experience, experience, especially especially for for nursing nursing students, students, can can be be difficult.

Simulation allows difficult. Simulation allows them them to to practice practice real-life real-life situations situations in in a a safe safe environment. environment. “Our “Our techtechsavvy savvy students students are are gobbling gobbling it it up.” up.”

And And that that is is not not its its only only advantage, according advantage, according to to Klebeck.

Klebeck.

“It “It also also embraces embraces collaboration collaboration with with other other healthcare healthcare professionals professionals like like physicians, physicians, paramedics, and paramedics, and laboratory laboratory and and diagnostic diagnostic imaging imaging technicians,” technicians,” she she explained. explained. “For “For example, example, our our students students love love doing doing

cardiopulmonary cardiopulmonary resuscitation.” resuscitation.”

Because Because simulation simulation labs labs allow allow the the teaching teaching staff staff to to record record experiences, experiences, students students also also learn learn from from reviewing reviewing their their performance.

“I performance. “I love love going going into into simulation simulation with with my my students,” students,” Klebeck Klebeck said. said. “Then, “Then, in in their their fourth year, I tell them fourth year, I tell them that that before before they they leave leave they they should should go go back and look at the tapes back and look at the tapes from from the the beginning. beginning. It It is is amazing amazing how how much they have grown.” much they have grown.”

In In light light of of the the strong strong belief belief in in lifelong lifelong learning, learning, the the SRNA, SRNA, through through its its Continuing Continuing Competency Competency Program, Program, requires requires mandatory self-assessments, mandatory self-assessments, learning learning plans, plans, feedback feedback and and evaluations evaluations for for every every member member of of the the organization, organization, along along with with random audits to check random audits to check for for compliance compliance “I’m “I’m the the president president of of SRNA and my name was SRNA and my name was drawn drawn for for an an audit, audit, so so it it really really doesn’t doesn’t matter who you are,” matter who you are,” Klebeck Klebeck said said with with a a laugh. laugh. While While she she supports the practice, supports the practice, she she said, said, for for most most RNs RNs and and NPs, NPs, it it is is really really confirming confirming what what they they are are already already doing. doing. “As “As nurses, nurses, we we are are always always determining what we determining what we need need to to learn. learn. This This just just formalizes formalizes it.” it.”

According According to to her, her, all all of of these these steps steps are are simply simply a a means means to to achieving achieving the the three three pillars pillars of of SRNA — better regulation, SRNA — better regulation, better better professional professional practice practice and and better better collaboration.

“We want collaboration. “We want to to unite unite and and work work together together to to provide provide safe, safe, competent, competent, quality quality care.” care.”

NU-14-020

SIAST salutes Saskatchewan nurses We salute you for your ongoing dedication and commitment to the profession of nursing and the people you care for. Your efforts contribute to the quality of life and health care within the province and impact the education of our nursing students.

SIAST offers flexible learning opportunities for career advancement. SIAST continuing education programs are available on a full or part-time basis through distance education allowing you to maintain employment and family responsibilities while furthering your education.

Post RN advanced certificate programs: • Critical Care Nursing • Perioperative Nursing/RN Nurse re-entry programs: • Nursing Re-entry • Orientation to Nursing in Canada for Internationally Educated Nurses Health sector education programs: • Diabetes Education for Health Care Professionals advanced certificate • Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner applied certificate • Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner certificate Continuing nursing education: • CPR and First Aid courses • Foot Care: Principles and Practices course • Mental Health courses • Leadership and Management in Perioperative/ Medical Device Reprocessing • Principles of Nursing Practice for Outpatient Procedures course • Cervical Screening workshop • Clinical Drug Therapy course LEARN MORE: • IUD Insertion for NPs workshop • Health Assessment course 1-866-goSIAST (467-4278) • Radiology Interpretation for NPs workshop • Nursing Management and Leadership course goSIAST.com/nursing

SASXR204398_1_1 SAS00276931_1_1

24/7 self serve classifieds

easy

Purple Works in Nursing Teams

.com/placeanad

Nadine - LPN

Pat - CCA

46406155

U of S Nursing

Early Detection.

Rapid Intervention.

Critical Thinking.

The University of Saskatchewan, College of Nursing delivers innovative programming in an interdisciplinary context – designed and taught by expert faculty, resulting in a comprehensive nursing education.

Registered nurses are vital to patient safety.

Kelly - CCA

Expert training. Expert care.

SEIU-West members who work as Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are important players on the nursing team.

Their goal is to ensure that patients, clients and residents receive the right care at the right time.

Find out more about the many different roles of CCAs and LPNs by visiting:

makingthedifference.ca SASXR204467_1_2

May 22-24 usask.ca/nursing/75th

We are a nursing community working together to make a difference locally, provincially and around the world.

Sheila - LPN National Nursing Week: May 12 to 18, 2014

Facebook.com/SUNnurses @SUNnurses

Celebrate our 75th Anniversary with us!

PurpleWorks.ca

SAS00279662_1_1

Undergraduate Graduate Continuing Education

Learn Where You Live Saskatoon • Regina • Prince Albert • Northern SK • Yorkton

usask.ca/nursing

College of Nursing SAS00275925_1_1

nursing C6

week

national

The Saskatoon StarPhoenix • thestarphoenix.com

Monday, May 12, 2014

Nurses across Canada taking part in Wear White campaign By

By Judy Judy Bird Bird For For L-P L-P Specialty Specialty Products Products

Nurses: Caring for you

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency nurses are part of an important team in the fight against cancer.

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency operates prevention and early detection programs, provides safe, quality cancer treatment and conducts innovative research. www.saskcancer.ca

Registered Registered Nurses Nurses (RNs) (RNs) across across the the country country are are making making a a small small change change in in their their appearance appearance at at work, and it is having work, and it is having a a huge huge impact impact on on patients patients and and patient patient safety.

The RNs are safety. The RNs are opting opting to to wear wear white, white, reflecting reflecting a a return return to to the the uniform uniform of of yesteryear yesteryear that that made made them easily identifiable. them easily identifiable. It’s It’s part part of of the the Wear Wear White White campaign, campaign, and and the the Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Union Union of of Nurses Nurses (SUN) (SUN) is is encouraging encouraging their their members members to to take take part. part.

“The Wear “The Wear White White campaign campaign is is about registered nurses about registered nurses standing standing out out from from other other care care providers providers so so that that patients patients know know who who their their care care provider provider is,” is,” said said Tracy Tracy Zambory, Zambory, SUN president.

“All SUN president. “All professions professions in in the the healthcare healthcare system system are are important, but we important, but we are are not not interchangeable.” interchangeable.”

Many Many people people will will remember remember the instantly identifiable the instantly identifiable white white uniform uniform that that nurses nurses wore wore in in the the past, complete with a hat with past, complete with a hat with two two black black stripes. stripes. It It wasn’t wasn’t a a hard hard and and fast fast rule, rule, though, though, and and in in the the 1990s, 1990s, a change to coloured uniforms a change to coloured uniforms became became the the trend. trend. Later, Later, hats hats were discontinued were discontinued for for infection infection control control and and other other reasons. reasons.

Identifying Identifying the the RNs RNs amid amid the the other other workers became a challenge workers became a challenge for for patients. patients. SUN SUN heard heard this this message message loud and clear from public loud and clear from public polls polls it it conducted: conducted: 80 80 per per cent cent of of respondents respondents said said it it was was important important for them to be able for them to be able to to identify identify the the RNs. RNs.

may 12-18,2014

A LeAding Force For chAnge

SRNA encourages lifelong learning for best patient care By

By Lori Lori Wiens Wiens For For L-P L-P Specialty Specialty Products Products

Photo by Greg Huszar Photo by Greg Huszar

“The “The public public tells tells SUN SUN that that they don’t know the they don’t know the RN RN from from the the housekeeper, housekeeper, and and that that becomes becomes a a patient patient safety safety concern. concern. We’ve We’ve been been told told that that they they want want registered registered nurses nurses to to stand stand out out so so that that when when they look in the hallway, they look in the hallway, they they see see the the person person in in the the black black and and white, white, that’s that’s who who they’re they’re going going to to go go to to and ask the important questions. and ask the important questions. ” ” The The movement movement for for RNs RNs to to wear wear white white began began in in Atlantic Atlantic Canada a few years Canada a few years ago, ago, and and then then moved west to Alberta, where moved west to Alberta, where “Wear “Wear White White Wednesday” Wednesday” was was promoted. promoted. It It is is voluntary, voluntary, and and in in Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, the the emphasis emphasis is is for for RNs RNs to to wear wear a a white white top top and and black black pants pants at at least least one one day day a a week. week.

“It is how we can assert “It is how we can assert our our professional professional practice practice in in the the workplace.

There are so many workplace. There are so many people people on on the the floor, floor, in in the the unit, unit, in the facility.

When a person in the facility. When a person comes comes in in and and they’re they’re stressed stressed for for a a myriad myriad of of reasons, reasons, if if the the Registered Nurse is wearing Registered Nurse is wearing white, white,

they they don’t don’t have have to to figure figure out out who who is who.

When patients feel is who. When patients feel they they know know who who their their caregiver caregiver is, is, they they feel very confident in the care feel very confident in the care that that they’re they’re getting. getting. Our Our members members have have immense immense pride. pride. Registered Registered Nurses Nurses bring bring a a unique unique set set of of skills skills and knowledge to the workplace, and knowledge to the workplace, which which has has been been gained gained through through their education and their education and training,” training,” said said Zambory.

Zambory.

The The campaign campaign has has been been so so successful on the east coast successful on the east coast that that it it has has now now become become part part of of the the collective agreement for collective agreement for nurses nurses in in Nova Nova Scotia.

Scotia. In In Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Zambory said feedback Zambory said feedback has has been been very positive already, too. very positive already, too. “RNs “RNs who who wear wear white white and and black black more more often are reporting that often are reporting that the the patients patients are are saying, saying, ‘We ‘We absolutely absolutely love this, we can identify love this, we can identify the the RN RN immediately.’

When people immediately.’ When people start start to to get get that that kind kind of of feedback feedback from from their patients, we absolutely their patients, we absolutely know know that that we’re we’re moving moving in in the the right right direction.” direction.”

C7

Monday, May 12, 2014

Advances Advances in in medical medical knowledge knowledge and and technology technology help help nurses nurses provide provide quality quality care care to to their their patients. patients. But But keeping keeping up up with the fast-paced with the fast-paced changes changes can can be be a a challenge, challenge, according according to to the the president president of of the the Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Registered Registered Nurses Nurses Association Association (SRNA), the (SRNA), the regulatory regulatory board board for for registered registered nurses nurses and and nurse nurse practitioners practitioners in in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan.

“With “With everything everything moving moving as fast as it as fast as it is, is, we we are are constantly constantly seeking seeking new new information,” information,” said said Signy Klebeck, Signy Klebeck, who who also also teaches teaches in in the the Nursing Nursing Education Education Program Program Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Collaborative Collaborative Bachelor Bachelor of of Science Science in in Nursing.

Nursing.

“It doesn’t matter where “It doesn’t matter where you you go, go, education is huge.

As nurses, education is huge. As nurses, we we always always need need increased increased education education and and knowledge knowledge to to provide provide safe, safe, competent competent and and quality quality care. care.

We We draw draw on on a a diverse diverse source source of of knowledge from the sciences, knowledge from the sciences, humanities, humanities, research, research, ethics, ethics, spirituality, relational spirituality, relational practice, practice, critical critical inquiry inquiry and and the the principles principles of of primary primary care. care. To To successfully successfully achieve achieve this, this, RNs RNs must must embrace embrace lifelong learning.” lifelong learning.”

Even Even after after working working as as an an RN RN for for more more than than 30 30 years, years, Klebeck Klebeck is is still still amazed amazed by by how how quickly quickly things change.

“Every things change. “Every time time II go go to to a a medical medical or or surgical surgical ward, ward, there there is is something something new. new. It’s It’s up up to to us us to to make make sure sure we we are are aware aware of of

any any changes changes and and how how they they may may impact patient care,” she impact patient care,” she said. said.

One One of of most most significant significant impacts on the impacts on the profession profession has has come come from from technology. technology. “From “From technology technology at at the the bedside bedside to to communicating with communicating with doctors, doctors, technology technology has has had had a a huge huge effect on everything effect on everything we we do,” do,” she she said. said. For For example, example, smart smart phone phone applications applications like like Nursing Nursing Central, Central, diagnostic testing diagnostic testing equipment equipment and and even even things things like like new new electric electric beds have influenced beds have influenced nurses’ nurses’ best best practices. practices. “These “These all all improve improve patient outcomes,” Klebeck patient outcomes,” Klebeck said. said.

Other Other strategies strategies in in teaching teaching nursing nursing students students and and postpostgraduate nurses include graduate nurses include a a greater greater presence presence of of simulation simulation training, training, which which provides provides life-like life-like situations situations in a controlled setting. in a controlled setting. “I “I think think simulation simulation is is the the way way of of the the future,” future,” Klebeck Klebeck said. said. Finding Finding opportunities opportunities to to provide provide handshandson on clinical clinical experience, experience, especially especially for for nursing nursing students, students, can can be be difficult.

Simulation allows difficult. Simulation allows them them to to practice practice real-life real-life situations situations in in a a safe safe environment. environment. “Our “Our techtechsavvy savvy students students are are gobbling gobbling it it up.” up.”

And And that that is is not not its its only only advantage, according advantage, according to to Klebeck.

Klebeck.

“It “It also also embraces embraces collaboration collaboration with with other other healthcare healthcare professionals professionals like like physicians, physicians, paramedics, and paramedics, and laboratory laboratory and and diagnostic diagnostic imaging imaging technicians,” technicians,” she she explained. explained. “For “For example, example, our our students students love love doing doing

cardiopulmonary cardiopulmonary resuscitation.” resuscitation.”

Because Because simulation simulation labs labs allow allow the the teaching teaching staff staff to to record record experiences, experiences, students students also also learn learn from from reviewing reviewing their their performance.

“I performance. “I love love going going into into simulation simulation with with my my students,” students,” Klebeck Klebeck said. said. “Then, “Then, in in their their fourth year, I tell them fourth year, I tell them that that before before they they leave leave they they should should go go back and look at the tapes back and look at the tapes from from the the beginning. beginning. It It is is amazing amazing how how much they have grown.” much they have grown.”

In In light light of of the the strong strong belief belief in in lifelong lifelong learning, learning, the the SRNA, SRNA, through through its its Continuing Continuing Competency Competency Program, Program, requires requires mandatory self-assessments, mandatory self-assessments, learning learning plans, plans, feedback feedback and and evaluations evaluations for for every every member member of of the the organization, organization, along along with with random audits to check random audits to check for for compliance compliance “I’m “I’m the the president president of of SRNA and my name was SRNA and my name was drawn drawn for for an an audit, audit, so so it it really really doesn’t doesn’t matter who you are,” matter who you are,” Klebeck Klebeck said said with with a a laugh. laugh. While While she she supports the practice, supports the practice, she she said, said, for for most most RNs RNs and and NPs, NPs, it it is is really really confirming confirming what what they they are are already already doing. doing. “As “As nurses, nurses, we we are are always always determining what we determining what we need need to to learn. learn. This This just just formalizes formalizes it.” it.”

According According to to her, her, all all of of these these steps steps are are simply simply a a means means to to achieving achieving the the three three pillars pillars of of SRNA — better regulation, SRNA — better regulation, better better professional professional practice practice and and better better collaboration.

“We want collaboration. “We want to to unite unite and and work work together together to to provide provide safe, safe, competent, competent, quality quality care.” care.”

NU-14-020

SIAST salutes Saskatchewan nurses We salute you for your ongoing dedication and commitment to the profession of nursing and the people you care for. Your efforts contribute to the quality of life and health care within the province and impact the education of our nursing students.

SIAST offers flexible learning opportunities for career advancement. SIAST continuing education programs are available on a full or part-time basis through distance education allowing you to maintain employment and family responsibilities while furthering your education.

Post RN advanced certificate programs: • Critical Care Nursing • Perioperative Nursing/RN Nurse re-entry programs: • Nursing Re-entry • Orientation to Nursing in Canada for Internationally Educated Nurses Health sector education programs: • Diabetes Education for Health Care Professionals advanced certificate • Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner applied certificate • Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner certificate Continuing nursing education: • CPR and First Aid courses • Foot Care: Principles and Practices course • Mental Health courses • Leadership and Management in Perioperative/ Medical Device Reprocessing • Principles of Nursing Practice for Outpatient Procedures course • Cervical Screening workshop • Clinical Drug Therapy course LEARN MORE: • IUD Insertion for NPs workshop • Health Assessment course 1-866-goSIAST (467-4278) • Radiology Interpretation for NPs workshop • Nursing Management and Leadership course goSIAST.com/nursing

SASXR204398_1_1 SAS00276931_1_1

24/7 self serve classifieds

easy

Purple Works in Nursing Teams

.com/placeanad

Nadine - LPN

Pat - CCA

46406155

U of S Nursing

Early Detection.

Rapid Intervention.

Critical Thinking.

The University of Saskatchewan, College of Nursing delivers innovative programming in an interdisciplinary context – designed and taught by expert faculty, resulting in a comprehensive nursing education.

Registered nurses are vital to patient safety.

Kelly - CCA

Expert training. Expert care.

SEIU-West members who work as Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are important players on the nursing team.

Their goal is to ensure that patients, clients and residents receive the right care at the right time.

Find out more about the many different roles of CCAs and LPNs by visiting:

makingthedifference.ca SASXR204467_1_2

May 22-24 usask.ca/nursing/75th

We are a nursing community working together to make a difference locally, provincially and around the world.

Sheila - LPN National Nursing Week: May 12 to 18, 2014

Facebook.com/SUNnurses @SUNnurses

Celebrate our 75th Anniversary with us!

PurpleWorks.ca

SAS00279662_1_1

Undergraduate Graduate Continuing Education

Learn Where You Live Saskatoon • Regina • Prince Albert • Northern SK • Yorkton

usask.ca/nursing

College of Nursing SAS00275925_1_1

C8

Monday, May 12, 2014

P O S T M E D I A S A S K A T C H E WA N S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

The Saskatoon StarPhoenix • thestarphoenix.com

national

may 12-18,2014

A LeAding Force For chAnge

Canadian nurses share their stories about leading change

By Judy Bird For L-P Specialty Products Nurses play a critical role in Canada’s healthcare system, and as main care providers, they are often also the ones who initiate changes for improvement to patient safety and care.

These initiatives may occur unbeknownst to the public and others in health care, but the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) wants to bring those stories to the forefront and shine a light on the nurses who

are leading change. Over the past few months, the national organization put out the call for nurses to share their stories about leading change.

Like last year, the theme for Nursing Week 2014 is “Nursing: A Leading Force for Change.”

“We were trying to think of a way that we could engage the nursing community and celebrate our accomplishments during national nursing week. That’s where ‘Nurses Leading Change’ came from,” said Briana Seguin, marketing coordinator with the

CNA in Ottawa.

The call for story submissions began in December 2013 and continued until late April 2014.

Submissions were to feature stories about projects, people and initiatives that encouraged nurses who were leading change. Stories were to be 500 words or less and in story form, not abstract or proposal. Seguin said the CNA anticipated having up to 10 stories to share during National Nursing Week 2014.

Sharing leadership stories helps others to understand the

role of nurses. “Profiling nurses and local initiatives this way engages the community, and also, because it is profiled by those in the community, it grows and highlights their achievements. It engages nurses with nurses across Canada and other people in the profession,” said Seguin.

The stories received have had a common thread. “They have mostly been stories of celebrating, helping people overcome despite all challenges, nurses taking on more initiatives over and above their everyday things,” Seguin

said.

Stories chosen for publication will appear in the Nurses Leading Change section of the National Nursing Week website (www.cnaaiic.ca/en/events/national-nursingweek/nurses-leading-change) and will also be highlighted on the site’s home page. Seguin anticipates showcasing one story each day during National Nursing Week on the website, as well as featuring the stories on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ CNA.AIIC) and Twitter account @ CanadaNurses.

School nurses are often unsung heroes School nurses do much more than apply bandages to playground scrapes. School nurses conduct vital health screenings and are often the security blanket for students who need special care during school hours. Despite all they do, school nurses are often the unsung heroes within the school community.

School nurses certainly tackle their share of fevers, nosebleeds, cuts and scrapes, but nurses play other pivotal roles, as well, such as calling up moms and dads to pick up their sick sons and daughters, overseeing the school’s health policies, and helping to ensure a safe school environment for students. In addition, the role of the school nurse has changed dramatically over the years. A school nurse may oversee vaccination schedules. He or she may also arrange for assemblies

regarding “change of life” seminars for children about to enter puberty. When there is an epidemic at the school, the nurse is often charged with notifying staff and parents and helping to contain the situation.

Apart from all of the tasks in treating “sick” children, nurses are also essential in helping to keep children with lifethreatening diseases healthy while they are at school. The number of children with serious allergies, diabetes, asthma and even seizure disorders has increased. School nurses may help administer life-saving insulin shots to children who need them.

According to Anaphylaxis Canada, one in 50 Canadian children has a peanut allergy, and about one to two per cent of these can have severe or life-threatening reactions. School nurses may

treat serious allergic reactions or provide a safe place where children with serious allergies can eat lunch.

In some cases, school nurses become a mediator between home and school. Nurses may indirectly be teaching students, as well. Each time the nurse treats a condition, he or she may be educating students on how to avoid that situation in the future. For example, a nurse may impart the importance of eating breakfast to avoid a morning headache or teach youngsters about the benefits of stretching before diving into physical education class.

School nurses are often the unsung heroes of a school, wiping away tears when youngsters suffer an injury at school and acting as a reassuring voice when such injuries are painful.

Youngsters may not recognize it, but school nurses provide a valuable service that can make a school day injury much easier to handle. MNS photo

Saskatchewan Collaborative Programs in Nursing

Partnership for change SIAST and the University of Regina have partnered to offer two unique nursing education programs that provide students with real-world nursing experience paired with academic excellence.

University of Regina and SIAST collaborative programs: · Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Four-year direct-entry from high school and post-secondary entry options prepare students to become registered nurses. An acceleration option in Regina and Saskatoon enables students to complete their degree in three years. Clinical labs, simulation learning and clinical practice education are incorporated into each year of the program. The program is offered in Regina, Saskatoon and Swift Current, using blended learning including on-campus, interactive video, and online approaches. · Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program – Two-year (full-time) or four-year (part-time) study options at the graduate level for baccalaureate educated registered nurses (RNs) offered via online distance education. Students participate in a one-week residency lab in Regina and complete 702 hours of clinical practice in approved sites close to home. Students graduate with a Master’s of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) degree.

Investing in our future The Government of Saskatchewan has expanded nurse training seats and is offering great incentives to stay in Saskatchewan.

saskatchewan.ca

www.sasknursingdegree.ca SAS00279473_1_1

SASXR003623_1_1