This past Thursday, March 11 marked the one-year anniversary since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. 35 health organizations across Ontario responded to RNAO’s invitation to join in solidarity to commemorate the anniversary through a tribute event and candlelight vigil. We were honoured to have Canada's parliamentary poet laureate Louise Bernice Halfe – Sky Dancer – join us virtually.

This past Thursday, March 11 marked the one-year anniversary since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. What a year it has been for nurses, other health-care workers, and millions and millions of people affected by this extraordinary and life-changing event! Individuals at home and around the world have experienced loss and disruption in their lives during this trying time. March 11 was a day to reflect on the tragedy that rippled across the globe. It was also a day of hope as vaccinations advance and we prepare to navigate our way out of this disaster.

The Ontario government must remain focused on vaccinating all Ontarians as quickly and seamlessly as possible. RNAO's urging is to maintain stringent public health measures to mitigate the spread of new variants and to accelerate the vaccine rollout plan. Success will come only through an all-hands-on-deck approach and that means utilizing every available public health nurse, primary care nurse, and home care nurse in the province – as well as family physicians and pharmacists.

This coming Thursday, March 11, marks the one year anniversary of the pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization. It is sobering to reflect on all that has happened to people around the world since then. And yet there is a long road ahead before we reach the end of the COVID-19 ordeal. To share in this reflection, RNAO invites you to commemorate the anniversary with us.

We’re nearing the one-year mark since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic and RNAO continues its unstoppable efforts to address the challenges we face in Ontario. We are proud of the central role we play in the media, and here is a summary of the issues we raised during February.

COVID-19 has impacted enormously on mental health and our ability to communicate with others. We are hugely grateful for the contribution of the following article written by Teresa Valenzano and Patty Matsuo on behalf of the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA).

This coming Thursday, March 11, marks the one year anniversary of the pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization. It is sobering to reflect on all that has happened to people around the world since then. And yet there is a long road ahead before we reach the end of the COVID-19 ordeal. To share in this reflection, RNAO invites you to commemorate the anniversary with us.

As one of RNAO’s annual signature political action events, this year’s iteration looked a bit different due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Participants joined our President Morgan Hoffarth and our CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun for a four-hours afternoon event that included remarks from the premier, minister of health and leaders of the NDP, Liberal and Green parties, as well as NDP and Liberal party health critics. As a non-partisan association, RNAO has built solid partnerships with all parties to ensure nurses’ perspectives are shared around the decision-making tables of government, and that the issues and challenges of nurses, and the solutions we offer are always considered a priority.

On Feb. 25, RNAO’s NP Task Force released the groundbreaking report, Vision for Tomorrow, which brings to life not only the evidence on why NPs are crucial in our health-care system, but also the lived experiences of those NPs who are already making a difference to patient outcomes in their day-to-day practice. It is a comprehensive blueprint that calls for the NP role to be expanded and to fully utilize NPs to advance the health of Ontarians and strengthen the health system.