Ontario Nurses' Association Celebrates Nursing Week 2015: "Ontario Nurses. We're Here for You."
TORONTO, May 11, 2015 /CNW/ - Beginning today, more than 60,000 front-line registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 14,000 nursing student affiliates will begin to celebrate Nursing Week 2015.
The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) members are proud of their valued profession, skills and their role in advocating for their patients. This year, the ONA members have chosen the theme, "Ontario Nurses. We're Here for You." Throughout the week, ONA's registered nurses, registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals will take a moment to celebrate the pivotal role they play in providing quality patient care.
"ONA members provide the best value in health care," said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "Despite this, the profession is facing challenges even as we celebrate Nursing Week. We have seen more than 800,000 hours of RN care cut from Ontario hospitals this year alone, and our members are struggling with heavy workloads, working excessive overtime and facing workplace violence."
Haslam-Stroud points to research that shows the value of an adequate number of RNs providing care in our hospitals.
"We know that an appropriate number of RNs results in better health outcomes for our patients," she said. "RN care means a lower incidence of patient morbidity (complications) and mortality (death), and saves the system money in the long-term. As we celebrate Nursing Week, ONA and its members have vowed to continue to advocate for safe, quality patient care. Our patients, and our members, deserve no less."
Nursing Week is marked worldwide to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale on May 12. ONA Bargaining Units in hospitals, long-term care, public health, the community, clinics and industry will mark the week with education sessions and other events. ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud and ONA First Vice-President Vicki McKenna, RN, will travel the province to make site visits to ONA members.
ONA is the union representing 60,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 14,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in hospitals, long-term care, the community, public health, clinics and industry.
Visit us at: www.ona.org; Facebook.com/OntarioNurses; Twitter.com/OntarioNurses
SOURCE Ontario Nurses' Association
![](http://rt.newswire.ca/rt.gif?NewsItemId=C8666&Transmission_Id=201505110919CANADANWCANADAPR_C8666&DateId=20150511)
Ontario Nurses' Association: Sheree Bond, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2430; cell: (416) 986-8240; [email protected], Katherine Russo, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2214; [email protected]
Share this article