Caption: RNAO’s Kawartha-Victoria Chapter members meet with RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway in Port Hope to discuss nursing issues. From L to R: Kawartha-Victoria Chapter president Amanda Mayock, RNAO president Dr. Claudette Holloway, RN Beryl Cable-Williams, RNAO Region 8 board representative Kathleen Pikaart, chapter workplace liaison Melinda Wall, chapter social media executive network officer (ENO) Amy Bursey and chapter membership ENO Roberta Hubble.
By RNAO Kawartha Victoria Chapter
Celebrating the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s ninth annual Fall Tour, nurses across the Kawartha Lakes region came together on Oct. 16 to speak about the nursing, health and health-care issues important to them.
The Fall Tour is an opportunity for nurses to meet with RNAO’s president, president-elect or CEO in their community and ask them questions related to their practice or the profession.
At Nookies Soul Kitchen and Bar in Port Hope, RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway met with nurses to discuss the importance of building nursing careers in the province, fixing Ontario’s health system as well as RNAO’s advocacy to address the nursing crisis and the urgent need for action on the climate emergency.
“Over the past three years, nurses have been providing care while experiencing burnout and dealing with staffing shortages,” says Holloway, adding that over the course of the pandemic Ontario’s registered nurse deficit increased from nearly 22,000 to 25,000 compared to the rest of Canada on a per capita basis. “They haven’t felt valued or respected. We have an opportunity to demonstrate their value and build back our profession so it acts as a magnet for the next generation.”
In March, RNAO released a report – Nursing Career Pathways – which shared 24 recommendations to break down longstanding challenges in nursing including providing competitive compensation and addressing pay disparities across all health sectors; ensuring safe workloads and healthy work environments; and focusing on full-time employment, mentorship and professional development, occupational health and safety, leadership training and other workplace supports.
Amanda Mayock, president of the Kawartha-Victoria Chapter says the Fall Tour was a great chance to get different perspectives in nursing while we deal with the different challenges in our health-care system. “As the association of more than 50,400 nurses, it was important to hear from nurses in the community. Bringing members’ voices, perspectives and experiences to the forefront helps to mobilize action and improve health care for all,” says Mayock.
RNAO’s Fall Tour runs between Oct. 16 – 26 and will showcase nurses from Thunder Bay, Kingston, Waterloo, London and Toronto regions as well as community nurses, international nurses and nurses for the environment. For more details, please see online
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
