The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO) is committed to supporting excellence in healthcare. Today, RPNAO was very encouraged by the release of the Long Term Care Home Public Inquiry Final Report and the recommended actions put forward by Commissioner Gillese.
Everyday throughout Ontario, RPNs provide direct care to thousands of patients across a wide range of healthcare settings. With an estimated 43,000 RPNs currently practicing, Ontario’s RPNs constitute the second largest group of regulated health professionals in our health care system, and about one third of our province’s nursing workforce. In some sectors like long term and home care, RPNs make up even larger proportions of the nursing workforce.
WeRPN remains vigilant and are committed to doing whatever we can to ensure that RPNs are protected as much as possible from whatever changes or cutbacks may be imminent.
Nurses are not immune to mental health and addictions; while they actively support patients and families with mental health and addictions in their daily practice we know that some nurses may also need support.
As nurses we are familiar with current practice of controlled substances where medical cannabis is prescribed, but legalization of non-medical cannabis will require nurses to have a greater understanding of our role and the patient implications of non-medical cannabis.
More than anyone else, patients and their families know the expertise, skill and compassion Registered Practical Nurses bring to the bedside every single day. RPNs are at the heart of any care team, working closely and collaboratively with other nurses, personal support workers, allied health professionals, and doctors.
The Public Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System has a mandate is to inquire into the circumstances that allowed Elizabeth Wettlaufer, a former Registered Nurse, to commit eight murders, four attempted murders, and two aggravated assaults while working in Ontario’s long-term care homes.
