It is with excitement that I welcome you to the first course of my new blog: A Helping of Helga. Around the middle of each month I’ll serve up a fresh portion for your reading pleasure. The menu will vary but will typically feature such fare as regulatory soup, a robust issue du jour, a hearty main course (that changes with the season) and ending with an inspired scoop or two of hope.
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!!!!
Tags: Blog Launch, Dialogue, Scope of Practice

Exellent way to keep us nurses across the province informed of the issues at hand…giving us a way to connect and voice our opinions…thanks!
First, I would like to know how Shellie was able to beat me to being the first responder
As for Helga’s roadshow of obtaining feedback re: definition of nursing and reserved acts, it sure generated some lively discussion at a recent gathering at Health Sciences Centre! Makes you think of nursing outside of your usual practice setting.
Brenda
Looking forward to whatever you cook up Helga! Congratulations on this initiative.
Asha, Shellie and Brenda, thank you for your comments. I am looking forward to connecting with registred nurses across the province in this fashion.
A new blog will be posted the middle of each month. It is my hope that many issues of interest and/or concern to nurses will be raised, shared and debated through this venue. Please encourage colleagues to access the blog and join in the conversation.
Helga
This is an exciting endeavour Helga. Good for you and the college for moving in this direction. I too have appreciated the chance to discuss scope of practice and reserved acts. I believe, as registered nurses, we need to have these opportunities to describe what we do. I hope all nurses in Manitoba take the opportunity to be involved in this important discussion. Good luck.
Hi again Helga! Look forward to staying connected!
Very usefull Info Thank You for sharing
Helga,
Looking forward to sitting down with you at dinner and being inspired by a few helpings of ‘hope’. Good luck!
Laurie
Good to see you already have alot of people responding, it should
become very popular. It is an excellent strategy to get nurses
involved.
Hi Helga,
I am looking forward to using this online community. Thank you for leading the way.