In the past RPNs were granted associate membership with the Operating Room Nurses Association of Ontario (ORNAO) but without voting rights or opportunities to serve on committees or executive positions. Presently under the direction of ORNAO, most local chapters do not choose to grant RPNs associate membership or access to any of the educational conferences provided by said group.
In October 1995, Joanne Ross and Marilyn Miller under the guidance of WeRPN, held a Conference for RPNs working in the Operating Room. Eighty RPNs from across Ontario were in attendance and as a result the Operating Room Specialty Interest Group (ORSIG) of WeRPN was established.
During the first year a list of Goals and Objectives were developed which forms the basis for the existence of the ORSIG. These are periodically revisited and adjusted as goals are obtained.
If you would like to become a member of this interest group download the WeRPN registration form and indicate on the form that you would like to join the ORSIG.
- Provide continuing professional education
- Have Colleges incorporate the LPN / RPN National Standards of Practice and Competencies for Perioperative Nursing Care
- Promote the utilization of RPN OR Standards of Practice by employment facilities
- Promote RPN utilization in the Operating Room
- Provide resource information
- Provide annual education workshops and conferences
- Provide annual newsletter
- Contact Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and all Colleges that provide perioperative nursing courses for the RPN
- Lobby hospitals’ Chief of Nursing Officer / Professional Practice Leader / CEO
- Provide displays during nursing events.
- Established the RPN OR Specialty Interest Group under the umbrella of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario in October 1995, with 25 members.
- Actively participated in the development of LPN/RPN National Standards of Practice and Competencies for Perioperative Nursing Care facilitated by the Canadian Practical Nurses Association.
- Produced 18 Educational Workshops/Conferences related to Operating Room Nursing.
- Participated in a discussion group with the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) and the Nursing Task Force in the restructuring process.
- In collaboration with the College of Nurses of Ontario through the Participative Resolution Program, working towards a mutually respectful relationship between RPNs and RNs in the OR in the face of much adversity.
- Contribute annually to the RPNAO Education and Scholarship Fund.
- Advocates for promoting continued RPN utilization in the Operating Room.
- Assist RPNs to meet the College of Nurses of Ontario Reflective Practice requirements.
Colleges providing OR Nursing Certificates for RPNs:
- Algonquin College, Ottawa
Wendy Phair, Program Coordinator, phairw@algonquincollege.com
- Centennial College, Scarborough
Tel: 416-289-5000 ext.8050, 1-800-268-4419 (in Ontario), ce@centennialcollege.ca
- Conestoga College, Kitchener
Jennifer Davis, program contact, JRdavis@conestogac.on.ca
- Durham College, Oshawa
Call 905-721-3052
- Fanshawe College, London
Call 519-452-4430
- Fleming College, Peterborough
Stephanie Narayanan, program contact, Stephanie.Narayanan@flemingcollege.ca
- Mohawk College, Hamilton
cehealth@mohawkcollege.ca or call 1-844-767-6871
- Sault College, Sault St. Marie
Call 705-759-2554 or 1-800-461-2260
- St. Lawence College, Kingston
Perioperative Program Coordinator, periopnursing@sl.on.ca
- Michelle Sparks, President, email: msparks0524@rogers.com
- President-Elect: Lisa Barker, email: lbarker1@yahoo.com
- Pauline Gilbert, Past President
- Victoria Bolduc, Secretary: vabolduc@gmail.com
- Cathy Cardoso, Treasurer, email: tass2cab@yahoo.ca