HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS’ WEEK
Registered Nurses dedicated to providing knowledge-based care
Saskatchewan is growing. Although this is a source of both pride and expanding opportunities for the residents of our province, it also presents new challenges. With a population now exceeding 1.1 million people, stakeholders in our health care system will be challenged to adapt to rapid growth and shifting demographics. Now more than ever, we rely on dedicated health care professionals to answer that call.
Nurses have always been an integral part of ensuring that the health needs of you and your family are met. Among other things, nurses in Saskatchewan promote health, prevent illness, advocate for patients and coordinate their care. But in spite of all the great work they do, nurses will be increasingly called on to take a leadership role in our provincial health system. According to Signy Klebeck, Council President of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA), that’s just fine with them.
“One of our goals is to expand the scope of what nurses can do,” she says. “We want to maximize the role of Registered Nurses (RNs). For example, ordering lab tests and writing prescriptions are just some of the areas where we can empower RNs. This is especially important in areas of our province where access to health care is limited.”
The SRNA is the self-regulatory body for all Registered Nurses and Registered Nurse-Practitioners (RNs with advanced training). The SRNA’s central focus is improving the level of health care residents of Saskatchewan will receive now and in the future.
By adopting a “patient first” model, they are promoting a culture in which the patient and their families are the centerpiece of a collaborative effort with other health care providers. This means that Saskatchewan residents can rely on Registered Nurses to support them in their self-care decisions in situations of health, illness, injury and disability in all stages of life. As anyone who has ever dealt with a serious health issue knows, qualified and caring nurses are often the difference in improving a patient’s outcome.
To say that the SRNA has put a strong emphasis on collaboration is a bit of an understatement. In reality, the SRNA Council sees improving collaboration as one of the most important things they can do moving forward. What that means is that Registered Nurses and Registered NursePractitioners recognize that they have a diverse role to play in an inter-personal team.
“We are part of a team that shares the same goals,” says Klebeck. “We take that responsibility very seriously.”
The SRNA wants to ensure that their members are prepared to make informed decisions, and be prepared to work in an environment of mutual respect. This includes working with physicians and other nurses, but can also include Licenced Practical Nurses (LPNs), social workers, dietitians, paramedics, EMTs, home care aides and physical therapists.
As an organization, the SRNA also wants to work with the Saskatchewan government to make improvements in areas of regulation and education for nurses. By increasing flexibility, while setting guidelines for Registered Nurses, the SRNA hopes they can continue their remarkable progress in improving patient care.
“Our mission going forward is to always find ways to improve patient outcomes by providing competent, caring and knowledge based registered nursing for the people of Saskatchewan,” says Klebeck. “We have developed excellent working relationships with the government of Saskatchewan and other health care stakeholders in the province. We believe this is an important step in ensuring that our goals met. At the end of the day, the patient is the one who benefits most when all of the moving parts are working together effectively.”
Despite a membership of more than 10,700 Registered Nurses and Registered-Nurse Practitioners, the SRNA admits that staffing shortages will remain one of the key challenges to address going forward. As well, an aging populace that requires more complex care and the need to keep pace with technological advancements make the future difficult to predict. However, Klebeck is confident that the organization will be able to face any issues, and sees the outlook for both patients and Registered Nurses to be strong.
“We can bring members and stakeholders together much more easily than in other provinces,” says Klebeck. “Communication is vital, and we take our connection to the public very seriously. Whether you are a patient in need of quality care, or someone who wonders what the future holds for nursing in Saskatchewan, I can tell you that things look very bright.”