Celebrating 40 Years of Advocacy: Ontario Nurses' Association Biennial Convention Begins Today
TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Celebrating 40 years of advocacy for the nursing profession and quality patient care is the focus of this week's gathering of more than 1,000 front-line nurses and allied health professionals attending the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) Biennial Convention.
"ONA has an impressive track record of both improving the work lives of its members and advocating for quality patient care for Ontarians," says union President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "Our 2012 Biennial Convention theme, 'A Vibrant Profession. A Powerful Union' appropriately reflects our members' dedication and their union."
Haslam-Stroud notes that, "since ONA's creation, we have grown to become the largest nurses' union in Canada and achieved ground-breaking achievements to improve the quality of patient care, something most people don't associate with unions. For instance, our professional practice clause ensures that when nurses are assigned a workload that is not consistent with proper patient care, there is a process through which they can address the issue, benefiting patients who rely on their skills and experience for a positive health outcome."
The Biennial Convention is being held this week at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Running from today through Thursday, November 22nd, the agenda features updates on the work of the union as well as featured speakers CBC national news anchor Peter Mansbridge, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions President Linda Silas. Delegates will also see a preview of the next phase of a new ad campaign the union launched yesterday, and celebrate ONA's birthday at a special gala evening.
"As ONA celebrates this milestone birthday, we will take a look back at all we have accomplished as an advocate for good jobs, job security and quality work environments that also improve patient care in Ontario," says Haslam-Stroud, RN. "But ONA is a forward-thinking union, and we will look to the future and the challenges nurses face in our efforts to ensure Ontarians receive the quality patient care they deserve."
While most sessions of the Biennial Convention are closed to media, this morning's 9:15 President's address and 10:45 address from Premier Dalton McGuinty are open. ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud is also available for interviews during breaks by contacting ONA's media relations officer. Watch for updates on the Biennial Convention on Twitter.com/OntarioNurses.
ONA is the union representing 59,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals as well as more than 13,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
SOURCE: Ontario Nurses' Association
Ontario Nurses' Association
Sheree Bond
Cell: (416) 986-8240, [email protected]
Melanie Levenson
[email protected]
Visit us at: www.ona.org; www.Facebook.com/OntarioNurses; www.Twitter.com/OntarioNurses
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