Inaugural Legislature Day 2024
This week marked a significant milestone in our advocacy work as members of ARNM (Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba) participated in our inaugural Legislature Day on Tuesday, November 5. This event provided a vital platform for us to advocate for the nursing community and address pressing issues that impact our practice and the health care landscape in Manitoba.
ARNM members including Britta Hoogervorst, Joyce Kristjansson, Wendy Ducharme, Abbie Kawadza, and Victoria Charski represented the Association.
During this day we met with several politicians: including MLA Rachelle Schott (Kildonan-River East – NDP), MLA Carla Compton (Tuxedo - NDP), MLA Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry – Independent), Shandie Strong & Jamie Pfau (Caucus Director & Chief of Staff to MLA Cindy Lamoureux – Liberal), MLA JD Devgan (McPhillips – NDP), and Emily Coutts (Principal Secretary to Premier Wab Kinew – NDP).
In these meetings, ARNM members presented several key recommendations aimed at enhancing nurse retention and improving health-care services for all Manitobans. These recommendations are as follows:
1. Support Nurse Retention: We urge the government to engage in meaningful consultations with nurses to effectively implement the Nursing Retention Toolkit. This initiative will empower nurses and ensure their voices are integral to the development of supportive work environments.
2. Institute a Chief Nursing Officer: The establishment of a Chief Nursing Officer is essential to elevate the representation of nurses in health-focused decision-making and policy development at the Deputy Minister level. This position will serve as a crucial link between nursing professionals and policymakers, ensuring that our insights and expertise inform critical health initiatives.
3. Increase Access to Primary and Preventive Care: We advocate for enhanced access to primary and preventive care services for all Manitobans. This approach is vital not only for improving overall public health outcomes but also for ensuring that nurses can provide comprehensive care to the communities we serve.
We believe that these recommendations align closely with ARNM's commitment to nurse retention and the ongoing improvement of health care in Manitoba. However, we recognize that the insights and experiences of all our members are invaluable to shaping our advocacy efforts. We invite all members to share their feedback on these proposals and to participate in the ongoing dialogue surrounding these critical issues. Your engagement is essential as we work collaboratively to advance nursing excellence in our province.
You can view the document we presented at the meeting HERE: ARNM - Leg Day Brochure - November 5 2024.pdf.
Please email us any of your questions, concerns, comments or thoughts to info@arnm.ca.
We extend our gratitude to each of you for your participation and dedication to advancing nursing excellence in Manitoba. Together, we can make a significant difference in our profession and the health of our communities.