OCHU RPN Committee Report 2009-2010
OCHU April Convention 2010
Committee Members
Linda O’Rourke Area 1
Miriam Lockhart Area 2
Elkin Greig Area 3
Louise Ferren Area 4
Diane Morin Area 5 and Chair
Diane Corriveau Area 6
Donna Hagarty Area 7
Judy Bain OCHU Executive Liaison
Helen Fetterly OCHU Executive
Gwen Hewitt Staff Coordinator
Margaret Evans Staff Researcher
Heather Farrow Staff Research Assistant
New OCHU RPN Brochure: RPNs in OCHU/CUPE
In June 2009, OCHU and CUPE published a beautiful pamphlet outlining all the work CUPE and OCHU RPNs have been doing defending RPN rights and working to promote the profession. A summary of the pamphlet is listed here. However, for the full colour brochure, click on: http://www.ochu.on.ca/History_rpn.html.
Bargaining: Professional practice
The central collective agreement was ratified in November 2009. It covers the period between September 29, 2009 and September 28, 2013. There are a number of gains for RPNs:
* We achieved in central bargaining a new Article 9.15 in which the parties recognize that as a self-regulating profession, nursing recognizes the importance of:
“..maintaining a dynamic practice environment which includes ongoing learning, the maintenance of competence, career development, career counseling and succession planning. The parties agree that professional development includes a diverse range of activities, including but not limited to formal academic programs; short-term continuing education activities; certification programs; independent learning committee participation…”
* The new Article 9.15 also establishes a process whereby hospitals are required to meet with the union at the very least on a quarterly basis to discuss professional development and scope of practice issues.
* We achieved in central bargaining a more detailed and effective Workload Complaint Form.
....read more
Registered Practical Nurses research
Media Release
The Nursing Health Services Research Unit (NHSRU) at McMaster University and Central West, Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant, South East, and South West LHINs have created a made-in-LHIN solution, identifying local needs toward 70 per cent full-time nurse employment. ...read more
Nursing Researchers join forces to strategize for more full-time nursing jobs
HAMILTON, ON (February 4, 2010) – McMaster researchers have teamed up with four Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) to design a toolkit for creating strategies to increase full- time positions for nurses.The Nursing Health Services Research Unit (NHSRU) at McMaster University and Central West, Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant, South East, and South West LHINs have created a made-in-LHIN solution, identifying local needs toward 70 per cent full-time nurse employment. ...read more
BRIEFING NOTE (for information)
TOPIC
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), RPN Research & News Stories: Spring 2007 Update
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
BACKGROUND:
Through the Regulated Health Professions Act, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) sets competency requirements for registration purposes. Every Ontario RPN must be registered with the CNO in order to use the title “registered practical nurse”. Competency is tested through two means: (A) self-test or self-assessment, and by ...read more
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO): Argues for the appropriate utilization of RPNs in their Nursing in Temporary Locations paper (August 2009)
Hospital emergency departments (EDs) are often overcrowded in Ontario. Longer ED wait times and lengths of stay and decreased availability of inpatient beds means patients can be treated in temporary locations, or “hallway nursing”. OCHU has argued for increased hospital funding to end hallway nursing as well as full utilization of trained staff in the ED. The CNO also recognizes that trained health care staff, such as RPNs, must be treated with “appropriate utilization…CNO’s practice guideline entitled Utilization of RNs and RPNs was developed to support nurses, employers and others in making effective decisions regarding the utilization of all nurses.” (Nursing in Temporary Locations. Page 20)To read the paper, click here.
For CNO’s Utilization of RNs and RPNs, click here.
Additional Funding for Nursing Staff
Your hospital or long-term care home could receive additional funding for nursing jobs. By going to the web site below, your employer can fill in an application by September 3, 2010 (5pm EST). The fund is called the “2010/11 Late Career Nurse Initiative (LCNI).” The money goes to help fund jobs where nurses who are age 55 or older are working. With this funding, these nurses can then spend 20% of their work time in less physically demanding nursing work. For some workplaces, this funding may be worth “checking out”. For more information, please contact Sister Heather Farrow at hfarrow@cupe.ca.
English | French
English | French
RPNs important part of system
The Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
Sat May 15 2010
Section: Editorial/Opinion
Column: Letters to the Editor
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) are professional, practical and caring nurses who have probably cared for you or your family. CUPE RPNs work in all health care facilities, from hospital maternity units to working with seniors in nursing homes, to surgery units and emergency wards. Among other skills, CUPE RPNs are professionals who perform assessments, initiate treatments and therapy, dispense medications and provide health care teaching. CUPE RPNs are registered with the College Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and obtain nursing competencies through a two-year college diploma program...read more
Malpractice Insurance for RPNs
New Ontario legislation makes it even more important for RPNs to get malpractice insurance – your hospital’s insurance is not enough. Here is some information from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO):
From http://cno.org (College of Nurses of Ontario) downloaded January 15, 2010 <http://www.cno.org/new/notices/bill179_update.htm>”
“On December 15, Ontario passed Bill 179. The new Act amends 26 health-related statutes including the Nursing Act. Although the bill has passed, the changes will not take effect until regulations are amended.”
“8. Will all nurses be required to carry professional liability protection?
Yes. All nurses who are registered with the College, and are practising nursing in Ontario, must have professional liability coverage.
This requirement will not take effect until after the College has developed regulations and by-laws pertaining to professional liability protection that will specify the requirements for nurses.(highlights added)
The College will provide more information on this issue on its website and in The Standard.”
For a detailed review of the amendments to the bill, please click on:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=2189
From http://cno.org (College of Nurses of Ontario) downloaded January 15, 2010 <http://www.cno.org/new/notices/bill179_update.htm>”
“On December 15, Ontario passed Bill 179. The new Act amends 26 health-related statutes including the Nursing Act. Although the bill has passed, the changes will not take effect until regulations are amended.”
“8. Will all nurses be required to carry professional liability protection?
Yes. All nurses who are registered with the College, and are practising nursing in Ontario, must have professional liability coverage.
This requirement will not take effect until after the College has developed regulations and by-laws pertaining to professional liability protection that will specify the requirements for nurses.(highlights added)
The College will provide more information on this issue on its website and in The Standard.”
For a detailed review of the amendments to the bill, please click on:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=2189
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has represented RPNs working in hospitals since its founding convention in 1963.
The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions of CUPE (OCHU) was established in 1982 to bring together CUPE hospital locals in a democratic structure with one major objective – to bargain with participating hospitals on central issues. Central bargaining in the hospital sector is voluntary. The participating hospitals and CUPE locals have to mutually agree on which issues are “central” and which are “local” in nature. Central issues include job posting, job security, paid and unpaid leaves, sick leave, premiums, holidays, vacations, health and welfare benefits as well as general wage increases. Prior to the implementation of pay equity in 1990, RPN job rates of pay were treated by the parties as a central issue. But since that time, the hospitals have refused to bargain RPN job rates centrally. Under OCHU’s constitution there are five standing committees, one of which is the RPN Committee. The OCHU RPN Committee has seven representatives from each of the seven OCHU regions or “areas.” Each representative is elected every two years by their area at the annual convention. read more...
The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions of CUPE (OCHU) was established in 1982 to bring together CUPE hospital locals in a democratic structure with one major objective – to bargain with participating hospitals on central issues. Central bargaining in the hospital sector is voluntary. The participating hospitals and CUPE locals have to mutually agree on which issues are “central” and which are “local” in nature. Central issues include job posting, job security, paid and unpaid leaves, sick leave, premiums, holidays, vacations, health and welfare benefits as well as general wage increases. Prior to the implementation of pay equity in 1990, RPN job rates of pay were treated by the parties as a central issue. But since that time, the hospitals have refused to bargain RPN job rates centrally. Under OCHU’s constitution there are five standing committees, one of which is the RPN Committee. The OCHU RPN Committee has seven representatives from each of the seven OCHU regions or “areas.” Each representative is elected every two years by their area at the annual convention. read more...
A Review and Evaluation of Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in the Health Sector
(completed July 2008)Nursing Health Services Research Unit (University of Toronto Site), www.nhsru.com
“Risk of violence is high for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) due to the sectors in which they work. 75% of RPNs in Long Term Care and hospitals report verbal aggression and 40% in hospital reported emotional abuse.”
“A national survey revealed 58% of nurses had experienced some form of violence in their last 10 shifts.”
“Nurses are at the highest risk of workplace violence in comparison to other health professionals.” ...download full report
April 30, 2010
Dear CUPE/OCHU Registered Practical Nurse:
We are writing to you today to thank you for your valuable contribution as RPNs to our health care system. RPNs warrant congratulations and admiration for the compassion and care you bring to Ontario’s health care team.
CUPE and OCHU are proud to have been representing RPNs in negotiations for professional practice development, appropriate compensation, and safe working conditions for RPNs, as an independent voice, since 1963.
Registered Practical Nurses keep the pulse of Canada’s health care system strong! Every day, RPNs professionally and skillfully perform assessments, initiate treatments and therapy, and provide health care teaching in numerous challenging settings such as operating and emergency rooms, acute and complex continuing care, clinics, Alzheimer’s units, and palliative care, just to name a few.
Your clinical skills and professionalism are matched only by the empathy, compassion, and commitment to quality care that you bring to your patients every day.
Together, CUPE and OCHU are proud to represent thousands of RPNs. We look forward to working together with you to advance the profession of RPNs for a long time to come.
Once again, thank you for all of your great work, and Happy Nursing/Long Term Care Week!
In solidarity,
PAUL MOIST CUPE National President
MICHAEL HURLEY OCHU President
Nursing Week/Nursing Home LTC Week: Committed to Community
Across Canada this week, attention focuses on the skills, dedication and professionalism demonstrated by both the nursing profession and workers at nursing homes and long term care facilities.
National Nursing Week is observed May 10 to May 16, while National Nursing Home/Long Term Care Week takes place May 10 to May 14.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees has represented Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Long Term Care Workers since its founding convention in 1963.
This Nursing Week and Nursing Home/Long Term Care Week, CUPE Ontario and the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) are proud to recognize the positive contributions RPNs and LTC workers make in the lives of their patients and in their communities—every day of the year.
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO): New Quality Assurance (QA) Program
All RPNs in Ontario should know that starting in 2010, nurses are required to develop and maintain a Learning Plan form as part of the new Quality Assurance program of the College of Nurses of Ontario. The Learning Plan lists strengths and areas for improvement and needs to be kept for two years. Every nurse needs to be ready to show the College this plan if randomly selected. Information about the QA Program was mailed to members by the College of Nurses of Ontario in October 2009.For Q&As from the CNO’s “Quality Assurance: Self-Assessment and Your Obligations” teleconference 2009, click here. For a more detailed presentation and a blank form to fill out for a CNO Learning Plan, click here.
You can reach the CNO by calling Practice Inquiries (Practice Support Line) 1-800-387-5526 (ext. 6397) or in Toronto (416) 928-0900 (ext. 6397) or email ppd@cnomail.org
PDF Download:
A Brief History of CUPE RPN Wage Negotiations in Ontario Hospitals
CUPE Research Branch September, 2009
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What is Central Bargaining?
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