RNAO is profoundly saddened by the passing of nursing leader, past president and long-time member Charlotte Noesgaard on May 14.

The Nursing Now Ontario Awards celebrate the contribution of nurses who improve the health outcomes of Ontarians and who contribute to nursing practice. Awards are presented to one winner in three categories: registered practical nurse (RPN), registered nurse (RN) and nurse practitioner (NP).

RNAO’s Take Your MPP To Work (TYMTW) LIVE provides members with the opportunity to meet virtually with their local MPP. Launching during Nursing Week, this event gave an opportunity to share your experience with your MPP so they can better understand the depth of nursing practice challenges while caring for patients and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the vaccination rollout advances, the discussion on vaccine passports intensifies. This is a complex issue with no easy answers, and RNAO intends to address it in the months to come from a perspective of equity and health for all. The following is an introductory article by Yara M. Asi, Post-Doctoral Scholar, Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, originally published March 12.

The Ontario government announced on May 14 that it is investing $35 million to increase enrollment in nursing education programs in publicly-assisted colleges and universities across the province. The government also announced the expansion of clinical education placements for nursing students and personal support worker students in the long-term care sector. The government’s announcement partially addresses RNAO’s call to increase university seats in BScN.

RNAO says the government must ensure all nurses – starting with those working with COVID-19 patients – are immediately vaccinated with both COVID-19 doses. I am pleased to share that our advocacy on behalf of nurses and other healthcare providers – especially those working on critical areas and in home care – brought results with the government’s announcement this week.

As Nursing Week draws to a close (May 10 - 16), the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) is renewing its call for action to the Ontario government: Increase the number of paid sick days for workers who do not have access to this employee benefit and boost the province’s minimum wage. This demand addresses two of RNAO’s central concerns with the social determinants of health (SDOH).

RNAO says the pandemic has widened the divide between people who are able to work from home and those who have no choice. Many workers take risks on a daily basis travelling to their jobs. Many work without sick time benefits – including part-time, casual and agency nurses. In this rich province and country, there remain vulnerable workers who earn minimum wage and work in precarious employment. They face deplorable conditions.

Join us and dozens of MPs from across party lines! Call on Prime Minister Trudeau to stay true to his word and ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are made available to all people around the world.

We appreciate the following contribution from RNAO member Cheryl Forchuk. The article explains the importance of a private member’s bill submitted to the Ontario legislature: Bill 277 - Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Amendment Act: Supporting Individuals in their Homes and Communities with Assistive Devices for Mental Health, 2021.