Operational aspects of regulating nurses are becoming more complex and it will serve Manitoba and our public well as the CCRNR works to harmonize regulatory policy and seek excellence in regulatory practices.

There are three integral aspects to the profession of nursing as a triad; advocacy/healthy public policy, regulation and socio-economic (labour). As a College, we take an active role in the first two parts of this triad. Each of these “voices” needs a strong nationally coordinated approach. This will be accomplished through CNA, CCRNR and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) respectively, with each of these organizations being experts in their respective areas. Collectively the three organizations portray a strong, unified comprehensive voice. A complex environment calls for a multi-faceted response.

CRNM, Manitoba’s nurses and most importantly the citizens of Manitoba benefit by being represented through these organizations. I welcome your comments, questions and views on this post.

Kathy Doerksen and I had the privilege of being at the Victoria General Hospital earlier this week for Coffee and Conversation sessions. Upwards of 20 nurses came together to speak with us and scope of practice was a key topic of conversation. Scope and competence is determined by our knowledge, by our skills and by our judgment. Nurses hold a critical role in the care of Manitobans; it is imperative that we practice at our full scope of practice. We often find it difficult to define our scope of practice; however, that is exactly what we have been challenged by government to do as we prepare for proclamation of the new Regulated Health Professions Act.

A second critical piece of preparing for the new legislation is clarification of “reserved acts”; these are acts that are to be done only by regulated professionals as they carry an element of risk. We are also asking for your feedback on this list as well. Again, I really need to hear from you in order that we get invaluable feedback from nurses all over the province. Each of you owns this work and we are not able to do this well without you. Thanks for your input.

We heard from the nurses at VGH and now we are eager to hear from you through this blog and through the scope of practice survey available here on the website. We have tried to make the survey self explanatory and we really need to hear from you. I look forward to reading your responses on the blog and through the survey.

System capacity and trust in those systems have increased exponentially since then. We are pleased to report that some 66% of Manitoba’s nurses registered online for the 2010 registration year; this is an increase over last year and we are encouraged by that as it is a secure, easy way to ensure your registration occurs correctly and on time.

Literally hundreds of you responded to a survey relating to online registration; we were overwhelmed by the response….thank you!!!!!!!!! We also surveyed many of you who completed paper registration forms to seek to learn what would prompt you to switch to an electronic method. We are listening to your concerns regarding passwords, access and security.

It is our goal to move to a totally online process. We are accepting the challenge to assure you, our members that online registration is as secure as online banking, online bill payment or any other financial and information sensitive transactions you might undertake online. This blog will contain more information regarding security levels and system improvements at the College to increase our service level to you.

Other provinces are also moving towards increasing online registration with BC this year moving to 100% online. We would hope to be completely online by the 2012 registration year.

I would welcome your thoughts on this matter; let’s start a conversation!!!!! Your comments will be welcomed and support us responding to your needs as registered nurses in the province of Manitoba.

But seriously, this blog is a way for me to dialogue with nurses throughout the province sharing information, concerns, inspiration and stories I hope you will appreciate. You will have an opportunity to comment on all or part of each issue and I commit to respond to comments at least twice monthly. I so look forward to energetic conversation with you, my colleagues across the province.

This blog is one of two being launched at the College; the other is by our President Kathy Doerksen called Kathy’s Grey Matter (I’ll let her explain the title!). The blogs are part of a new eStrategy we will be implementing throughout 2010. You can read more about that in the January 2010 Manitoba RN Journal. In that same issue, you’ll also see my first column near the back of the magazine called The Last Word. Please give it a read. It too will be peppered with issues of the day; I encourage you to respond through letters to the editor, direct email or a phone call.

Over the next few months I’ll be joining staff at the College in an extensive consultation regarding scope of practice, reserved acts and the new Regulated Health Professions Act. Please join in on a session when you see it advertised in your area. If you can’t join us in person, you can participate by completing a survey you’ll find here. I value your opinion on this important topic and hope you’ll take a few minutes to tell us what you think.

In closing, please be reminded of the impact you as nurses have on the health status of Manitobans. It is a privilege to be a member of this highly respected profession and to serve in this role as Executive Director of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. Through the care you provide, hope and healing is offered to the public in your care. Thank you for everything you do every day as a registered nurse in Manitoba.

Take care and I so look forward to connecting with you via this communication tool…I hope you come back for seconds!!!!