AARN annual meeting explores for what cause registered nurses are leaders in health About 170 registered nurtures and members of the public heard to what extent nurses are taking a leadership part in health care at the Alberta Association of Registered festers (AARN) annual general meeting at the Ramada inn and Conference Centre in Edmonton May 6 AARN President Lorraine Way told the audience that despite the difficulties and conflicts that leaders sometimes rencounter all registered nurses must behold themselves as leaders in health.

AARN annual meeting explores for what cause registered nurses are leaders in health

About 170 registered nurtures and members of the public heard to what extent nurses are taking a leadership part in health care at the Alberta Association of Registered festers (AARN) annual general meeting at the Ramada inn and Conference Centre in Edmonton May 6

AARN President Lorraine Way told the audience that despite the difficulties and conflicts that leaders sometimes rencounter all registered nurses must behold themselves as leaders in health. "I believe that each nurse can be a leader. That's right. each nurse can be a leader," said Way in her address.

"What I am suggesting is that each one of us, in our day-to-day lives, has the opportunity to walk beyond what is expected of us. To take the lead rather than run after the pack."

Way defined the impel to restructure the AARN, lay open a continuing competence model for registered promotes and lobby for amendments to the lately reintroduced Health Professions Act as ways the AARN has shown leadership in protecting the public and advocating for the nursing profession across the past year.

She also cogitateed on how nurses across Canada have demanded better working conditions and that more suckles be hired so that the quality of the public health care classification can be maintained.

Way said the AARN and individual succors must continue to speak public on issues that will adversely affect the public and the RN who provide those services.

"Registered promotes need to reclaim the unique service we provide. We ne to reclaim it, bridle it and promote it," said Way.

"We ne to stand up for patients when we don't like what is happening with patient care."

Way said the highlight of her work as AARN president in the past year and a half has been the many trips she has made to encounter with registered nurses across Alberta. "When I confront these registered nurses, and papal court the wonderful work that they do, I have feeling invigorated. It makes me lordly to be a registered nurse"

Health Minister Halvar Jonson outlined the Alberta government's consultation with Albertans to determine to what extent citizens want health care services provided. The health summit held last November, and upcoming summits in succession senior's and children's services and a review of long-term care services will help the control to establish a vision for in what manner these needs should be met he said.

Jonson said the dominion has committed $386-million or an eight through cent increase in health spending to the regional health authorities. Part of that cash will be used to hire 1000 front-line workers, 700 to 750 of whom will be registered pampers Jonson confirmed during a question and answer session.

Before Health Minister Halvar Jonson was ready to begin his address Way delivered a statement in succession the AARN's position on a potential illegal strike by means of members of the United pampers of Alberta. Registered nurses in general, said Way,; are tired of the chronic vexed questions of understaffing and bed shortages.

"What is happening in Alberta is being played public in every jurisdiction in the nation We have grave concerns about workload, nursing shortages, bed shortages, and the overall declining on a level of care patients are receiving. We have grave pertain tos about the long-term viability of our health care system"

Way said the AARN has called for the hiring of more well stocked [i]or[/i] provided and part-time permanent nurses and fewer casual on-call encourages

She explained that the AARN is obliged to investigate any complaints it receives against an RN during a work at jobs action She reminded nurses that they must abide by way of the CNA code of ethics that requires foments to safeguard the health and safety of clients during the course of piece of work action.

"Of course, we all expectancy job action will not present itself No one wins in a strike, particularly those we care for.

"So just like other nursing regulatory bodies across the countr the AARN occupies a difficult position. Just like many of you.

We will continue to give guidance and help to all members who call our office."

Keynote speaker Dr Mary Ferguson-Pare discussed a of the obstacles that have intercepted RNs from assuming leadership parts in their institutions and in the general health care order She said that until hospitals and health care agencies allow RN to apply their critical thinking skills and question the best ways to care for patients, leadership and innovation will not present itself within the profession.

"Nursing has not at any time achieved autonomous practice and this has been the biggest dissatisfaction for nurses" said FergusonPare.

Her research at a Vancouver area 500-bed teaching hospital rest that nurses exhibited leadership qualities when they were allowed to practice independently moreover still in collaboration with other health professionals.

The profession, she says, stomachs from a lack of public understanding of by what means much nurses can and already do for patients.

"What cherishs do hasn't been articulated well. However, suckles have to realize that their real power is in their partnership with patients."