Newsletter - Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest ...

Page 18 RNANT/NU Newsletter - Spring 2009
Reporting Unsafe Working Conditions
Historically, Registered Nurses have been the backbone of health care. We
represent the largest portion of health care professionals in the health care
system. In a sense, we are the heart and soul of healthcare. Changes over the
past few years have seen our workplaces change and our workloads increase.
Budget cutbacks have changed the way healthcare is delivered and has changed
the way we practice nursing. These changes are becoming more evident across
the North. We are plagued by a national nursing shortage that will peak in 2011 .
Despite the cutbacks, the nursing shortage, and changes in our workplaces, we are still obliged to provide safe
nursing care for our patients. Our Code Of Ethics obliges us to report unsafe working environments and conditions.
We are charged with the responsibility to advocate for social justice and for patient safety. These include having
adequate staffing levels / staff mixes that provide the care necessary for our patients.It also includes having
acceptable workloads per nurse to ensure that nurses are not put in a position to either injure themselves or the
people that are placed in their care. It has long been believed that patient safety and staff safety are two separate
issues. They are separate- however, they are also undeniably linked together. Professional care that is given by a
nurse who is tired, overworked and rushed will affect the quality of nursing care. Chronic understaffing is a patient
safety concern, as well as, a worker safety issue .
Now more than ever, we need to advocate for safe practice environments for our patients and for ourselves. We are
still the heart and soul of healthcare, and we are who we are because we love it. I encourage each of you to review
your Code of Ethics. I also encourage you to review the Safety Act and to be aware of your rights and responsibilities
as workers related to your own health and safety.
Sonja Boucher, RN, PNC©
New Code of Ethics
Did you know that the Canadian Nurses Association has released
a new Code of Ethics? Our Code of Ethics is the foundation of
nursing practice. Some highlights from the updated code include:
- Excellent guidelines to assist nurses to
use the code in nursing practice
- Ethical models which support nurses
as they make and reflect on ethical
decisions
- Examples of the code applied in
various clinical situations which reflect
today’s changing practice environment
Look for your new copy with your 2009 Nursing Registration/Renewal or download it free from
http://www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/Code_of_Ethics_2008_e.pdf