RPNAO Recommended Resources

This section includes useful links to external resources recommended by RPNAO. Each link includes a brief description, as well as the potential relevance for the development of your career plan.

The following Resource List is provided in alphabetical order.

Canadian Nurses Association

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. CNA advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. This website is a useful resource when examining current issues and trends in nursing at a national level.

Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators

The Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR) / Conseil canadien de réglementation des soins infirmiers auxiliaires (CCRSIA) is a federation of provincial and territorial members identified in legislation responsible for the safety of the public through the regulation of Licensed/Registered Practical Nurses. This website provides links to provincial PN regulatory organizations and is a good resource to current reports, documents and news that impacts PN practice.

College of Nurses of Ontario

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the governing body for registered nurses (RNs), registered practical nurses (RPNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in Ontario, Canada. To practice as a nurse in Ontario, or use the title of nurse, registered nurse, or registered practical nurse, you must hold a valid Certificate of Registration with the CNO. The CNO website offers many career supports for professional development that include; a database to understand current nursing trends, educational programs, teleconferences and volunteer positions.

Donnerwheeler

For over fifteen years, donnerwheeler has worked in Canada and abroad enabling individuals to become career resilient and organizations to build career-sensitive cultures through their career development, coaching and mentoring programs.

Gerontological Nursing Association

The Gerontological Nursing Association (GNA) of Ontario serves a membership of over 1800 Gerontological Nurses. This provincial association offers its members a professional network and educational opportunities that can support your career in gerontological nursing.

Health Force Ontario

Health Force Ontario’s strategy is ensuring that Ontarians have access to the right number and mix of qualified health care providers, now and in the future. Its mandate is to identify and address Ontario’s health human resource needs; engage partners in education and health care to develop skilled, knowledgeable providers and create the health care delivery teams that will make the most of their abilities. The site provides healthcare providers with educational and job opportunities as well as new health care initiatives that may support your career path.

International Council of Nurses

Founded in 1899, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations (NNAs), representing the more than 13 million nurses worldwide. This website is a useful nursing resource with access to many networks, programs, current global realities and educational supports.

* Coaching in Nursing: An Introduction is a free download that can be used to develop your individual professional competencies. The tools in this resource will support your understanding of the use of coaching principles and skills.

Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) Nursing Secretariat

The Nursing Secretariat provides strategic advice on health, the health care system and public policy issues from a nursing perspective to the government. This is a useful resource for career development; provides current provincial nursing issues, actions and initiatives that may support your career path.

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration offers many newcomer supports and information about employment services to assist your move to Canada. Including the Ontario Bridge Training Program supports programs (see CARE) that help internationally-trained individuals transition into their profession or trade in Ontario.

Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses

Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses (CARE) is an organization that supports internationally educated nurses to successfully enter the nursing profession in Ontario. CARE provides a bridging program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the CARE Centre works closely with educational partners and others to provide internationally educated nurses with services and supports that are unique to their educational and professional needs.

OANHSS

OANHSS is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors. Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, nonprofit nursing homes, seniors' housing projects and community service agencies. This website is a useful resource for examining the current realities in the long term care sector. In addition, educational programs, publications and job postings in this sector of nursing are also available to support your career.

OHCA

The Ontario Home Care Association is an organization of home health and social care service providers. This website is a useful resource for examining the current realities in the community care sector. In addition, educational programs, publications and job postings for this sector of nursing are available to support your career.

Ontario Hospital Association

The OHA represents approximately 154 public hospitals, assuming a leadership role, focused on patients and promoting an efficient and effective health system. This website is a useful resource when scanning your environment for the current realities within the hospital sector. It also provides many educational programs and webcasts that may support your career path.

OLTCA

Regulated by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care , the OLTCA is the largest long term care provider association in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long term care operators - private, not-for-profit, charitable and municipal. This website is a useful resource for examining the current realities in the long term care sector. In addition, educational programs, publications and job postings in this sector of nursing are available to support your career.

RNAO Best Practice Guidelines/ Best Practice Champion

Nursing Best Practice Guidelines were initially introduced in 1999. With funding from the Government of Ontario, RNAO developed this program to support Ontario’s nurses with best practice guidelines for clinical practice and healthy work environments. Currently there are 42 Best Practice Guidelines and additional support materials that are available for download, many publications are available in French (check website for specifics). By becoming a Best Practice Champions you could develop your career by support projects that improving nursing practice and client care within your organization. Champions can be anyone who will be able to have organizational and/or unit/program level influence.

Seniors Health Research Transfer Network

The Seniors Health Research Transfer Network (SHRTN) Knowledge Exchange was created in 2005 through a grant of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. As part of the SHRTN Collaborative, SHRTN facilitates knowledge exchange amongst paid and unpaid caregivers, researchers, and policy makers. This is a useful website for accessing information, networking and participating in projects that may support your career goals.