Ontario Nurses' Association Launches New 'Value the Invaluable' Campaign in
Ottawa

OTTAWA, Nov. 21 /CNW/ - Ottawa residents will begin hearing a new and innovative radio campaign starting tomorrow as the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) asks them to value the priceless health care skills, leadership and knowledge that registered nurses (RNs) bring to the system.

"We know and research has proven that RNs are the best value for the health care system," says ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN.

Ontario has seen a great deal of debate about the future of our health care system, with a strong focus on value for money. Haslam-Stroud notes that, "as our leaders continue to look to stretch scarce health care funding dollars further, they simply can't afford to ignore the fact that our nurses provide the best quality of care and have a large impact on patient outcomes. RNs understand the system and have the skills and expertise to ensure that patients receive the care they need."

Members who attended ONA's recent Biennial Convention got a sneak peek at the campaign. The nurses entered the meeting room via a red carpet, complete with autograph seekers and cameramen, in an effort to remind them of the value they bring to the system.

"For way too long, our members have seen their profession portrayed by health care leaders as simply another expenditure on a spreadsheet. They've seen patient care threatened as thousands of their colleagues' positions were cut to balance budgets," says Haslam-Stroud. "This campaign celebrates the skills, leadership and knowledge that nurses bring to health care and recognizes them as the health care leaders they truly are."

The radio ads debut on November 22 in markets across the province. The campaign will roll out over the next few weeks with transit shelter ads and other ads as well.

ONA is the union representing 55,000 front-line RNs and allied health professionals and more than 12,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in Ontario hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, industry and clinics.

For further information:

	Ontario Nurses' Association
Sheree Bond	[phone], ext. 2430; cell: [phone]
Melanie Levenson	[phone], ext. 2369