Blogs

Canadian Nurse blogs

Hypertension Canada releases a new guideline with a focus on treating patients in primary care settings

posted 2 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/05/26/hypertension-canada-nouvelles-lignes-directrices/ Patient support tool aimed at the public and other caregivers also available By Jill Bruneau May 26, 2025 istockphoto.com/BongkarnThanyakij Nurses have a vital role to play in preventing hypertension and improving its treatment through better assessment, management and control. Hypertension Canada has engaged nurses and other representatives to release a new hypertension guideline, Hypertension Canada Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertension in Primary Care . This guideline encourages health professionals and ...

What strategies would you propose to enhance the global influence of ICN? How would you prioritize them?

posted 6 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/05/22/partie-3-de-3-sylvain-brousseau-candidature-cii Part 3 of 3: Sylvain Brousseau answers our questions on his ICN bid By Sylvain Brousseau May 22, 2025 Isabelle Michaud “I will propose that ICN reinforce its key international partnerships and relationships and establish connections with influential bodies such as the World Health Assembly and other international health and nursing forums. To involve non-affiliated countries, a targeted awareness-raising and promotion strategy will be deployed among nursing leaders to get them to join ICN,” Sylvain Brousseau says. Editor’s note: ...

Why nurses should take the lead in applying evidence-based best practices to prevent suicide

posted 8 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/05/20/pratiques-exemplaires-pour-prevenir-le-suicide All patients should feel safe disclosing suicidal thoughts and discussing treatment By Michelle Danda May 20, 2025 istockphoto.com/monkeybusinessimages Effective integration of preventive suicide strategies requires that discussion of suicide cannot be relegated to specific mental health areas. Nurses need comprehensive training to assess suicide risk across all health-care settings, from primary care and emergency rooms to medical inpatient services and long-term care facilities. Takeaway messages Suicide is a major cause of ...

Proud to be a nurse: a career path less travelled

posted 13 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/05/15/infirmiere-et-fiere-de-letre Senator Joan Kingston embodies the spirit of National Nursing Week by ‘amplifying the professional voice of nursing in the health-care system’ By Joan Kingston May 15, 2025 Stephen MacGillivray / Senate Staff Left photo: King Charles III Coronation Medal Ceremony, March 21, 2025, at Government House, Fredericton, N.B., the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. Back row, left to right: Martha Vickers, NP; Suzie Durocher-Hendriks, RN; Paula Doucet, RN; Cheyenne Joseph, RN. Front row, left to right: Chantal Ricard, NP; the Hon. Joan ...

‘The path to a stronger health system runs through nurses. Let’s unite across the nation to co-create that future together.’

posted 14 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/05/14/systeme-sante-plus-solide-personnel-infirmier CNA’s CEO shares her nursing vision in Q&A article for National Nursing Week By Valerie Grdisa May 14, 2025 “Nurses need to work at the top of their scope as part of the shift in health service delivery solutions, including the expansion of team-based and nurse-led models of care. Nursing leadership needs to synergize efforts to ensure the nursing workforce is fully optimized, particularly in areas such as chronic disease management and primary care, where they can have the greatest impact,” CNA CEO Dr. Valerie Grdisa says. If you ...

For the love of nursing: as we kick off National Nursing Week, I wanted to reflect on why I entered this profession

posted 16 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/05/12/pour-lamour-de-la-pratique-infirmiere ‘Nursing is a career filled with joy, meaning, and profound satisfaction’ By Kimberly LeBlanc May 12, 2025 envato.com/DC_Studio “Nurses leave an indelible mark on the world, providing healing and hope. Every nurse carries stories of nursing experiences that remain with them, fuelling their passion for the profession and improving the lives of Canadians,” CNA president Kimberly LeBlanc says. Happy National Nursing Week ! I began writing this article by thinking about the theme for this celebratory week: The Power of Nurses to Transform Health ...

How simple non-verbal cues can help Indigenous patients trust the health-care system

posted 23 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/05/05/signaux-non-verbaux-aider-autochtone A genuine smile and a positive body posture go a long way to healing By Louise Chisel May 5, 2025 istockphoto.com/SDI Productions Nurses can lead the way as we demonstrate how to interact with Indigenous patients. Our profession can make great strides in the treatment of Indigenous people — one interaction at a time, every day, and in every area of nursing. What do the following statements have in common? “Eat what’s on your plate!” “Turn that TV off, it’s time to sleep!” “Ask to go to the bathroom if you need to go!” These commands were said ...

Enhancing decision-making in suicide risk assessment through the application of the Narrative Crisis Model

posted 30 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/04/28/modele-narratif-de-crise Structured approach acknowledges dynamic nature of suicidal ideation and behaviour By Matias Gay April 28, 2025 istockphoto.com/doble-d The Narrative Crisis Model (NCM) represents a significant advancement in understanding and assessing suicide risk, particularly for nursing professionals working with patients at imminent risk of harm. Nurses frequently encounter individuals in crisis, including those contemplating suicide. Traditional suicide risk assessments categorize risk into chronic or acute based on individual factors. However, these assessments often ...

As former president of CNA, what is the most important strength you would bring to the ICN position?

posted 04-24-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/04/24/partie-2-de-3-sylvain-brousseau-candidature-cii Part 2 of 3: Sylvain Brousseau answers our questions on his ICN bid By Sylvain Brousseau April 24, 2025 Isabelle Michaud “My extensive experience in nursing leadership, governance, strategic planning, and global advocacy — combined with my commitment to mentoring and professional development — positions me well to contribute effectively to ICN and advance its mission of representing and empowering nurses worldwide,” Sylvain Brousseau says. Editor’s note: Former CNA president Sylvain Brousseau is a candidate for the North America ...

Promoting planetary health to support our patients and our communities

posted 04-22-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/04/22/promouvoir-la-sante-planetaire 4 ways that nurses can reduce greenhouse gas emissions By Agnes T. Black and Kaitlin Bloemberg April 22, 2025 istockphoto.com/PavelMuravev Taking action to promote planetary health is a natural extension of nursing practice. Editor’s note: Today is Earth Day! Earth Day Canada continues to roll out environmental programs and projects with proven positive impacts in areas such as waste management, food waste and sustainable mobility. What exactly is planetary health? How can we, as nurses, work to promote the health of the planet and the ...

My learning evolution about coercive control since the Nova Scotia mass casualty of 2020

posted 04-17-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/04/17/controle-coercitif How I came to the ‘realization that coercive control is often a precursor to escalated violence, including homicide’ By April Steele April 17, 2025 istockphoto.com/pocketlight Some countries have introduced legislation criminalizing coercive control that recognizes patterns of behaviour — such as stalking, financial manipulation, and emotional intimidation — and holds perpetrators accountable. Editor’s note: On April 18 and 19, 2020, 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman killed 22 people, injured three others, and set several fires in Nova Scotia before he was shot and ...

Interprofessional and collaborative care model in the emergency department of Montfort Hospital

posted 04-14-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/04/14/modele-de-soins-hopital-montfort Lessons learned By Josette Roussel , Patrice Lampron, & Natalie Ladouceur April 14, 2025 istockphoto.com/SDI Productions The pod model made it possible to standardize patient care and practices to better plan emergency department activities. There are now fewer fluctuations in the course of a day despite an increased number of patient visits and/or a lack of nurses. Indeed, the emergency department was able to function while providing high-quality care despite the shortage of RNs. Takeaway messages: Ensure good interprofessional collaboration ...

Understanding their stories: First Nations nurse brings wound, ostomy care to Indigenous communities

posted 04-07-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/04/07/infirmiere-premieres-nations-michelle-buffalo Michelle Buffalo’s patients ‘feel secure’ with her Indigenous background and specialized skills By Laura Eggertson April 7, 2025 Courtesy of Michelle Buffalo Good nursing practice isn’t always about telling patients a certain way to do things, Michelle Buffalo says. It’s also about listening. “It’s about letting your clients be comfortable enough to voice to you what they use as their traditional health and wellness practices.” Indigenous communities hold Michelle Buffalo’s heart. The registered nurse, who is a member of Alberta’s ...

Optimizing nursing practice: a francophone hospital’s innovative integration in Ontario

posted 03-31-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/03/31/integration-novateur-hopital-francophone Project aims to help overcome nursing shortage by training and retaining more nurses and being innovative in how care is delivered By Judith Makana, Natalie Ladouceur, & Josette Roussel March 31, 2025 istockphoto.com/sturti Retaining nursing staff is not a simple endeavour. Today, more than ever, the nursing profession offers a wide range of professional opportunities, making the job market extremely competitive. Takeaway messages: The global nursing staff shortage is at its peak and requires multifactorial strategies to overcome ...

How resident and family councils improve the quality of life for people living in long-term care facilities (part 4)

posted 03-24-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/03/24/conseils-de-residents-et-familles-partie-4 Q&A series ends with a discussion on the benefits of councils By Farinaz Havaei & Sheila Novek March 24, 2025 istockphoto.com/Ridofranz Through addressing physical, emotional and social needs, councils can contribute to a more holistic approach to improving individual residents’ well-being, as well as the quality of life of the entire LTC resident community. Editor’s note: This article is an instalment of a four-part Q&A series that examines the role and function of resident and family councils in long-term care homes. ...

Why are you running to be a board member with ICN?

posted 03-20-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/03/20/partie-1-de-3-sylvain-brousseau-candidature-cii Part 1 of 3: Sylvain Brousseau answers our questions on his ICN bid By Sylvain Brousseau March 20, 2025 istockphoto.com/Sunan Wongsa-nga “As a new ICN board member, my top priority would be to address the global nursing shortage and ensure safe and healthy working environments for nurses,” Sylvain Brousseau says. Editor’s note: Former CNA president Sylvain Brousseau is a candidate for the North America and Caribbean seat on the board of directors of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) . We sent him a series of questions ...

How resident and family councils improve the quality of life for people living in long-term care facilities (part 3)

posted 03-17-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/03/17/conseils-de-residents-et-familles-partie-3 Q&A series examines how councils help those who are unable to participate in them By Sheila Novek March 17, 2025 istockphoto.com/PixelsEffect There are resident and family councils in many LTC homes across the country. In fact, these kinds of councils have a long history in Canada’s LTC sector. Editor’s note: This article is an instalment of a four-part Q&A series that examines the role and function of resident and family councils in long-term care homes. Part 1 was published on March 3. Part 2 was published on March 10. ...

How resident and family councils improve the quality of life for people living in long-term care facilities (part 2)

posted 03-10-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/03/10/conseils-de-residents-et-familles-partie-2 Q&A series considers what facilities did before councils, how to implement councils and more By Farinaz Havaei March 10, 2025 istockphoto.com/VladimirVladimirov Resident and family councils can be beneficial to nursing and care staff in LTC homes in several ways. First and foremost, effective councils can serve as a forum for open and honest communication between leadership, staff, residents and families. Editor’s note: This article is an instalment of a four-part Q&A series that examines the role and function of resident and ...

How resident and family councils improve the quality of life for people living in long-term care facilities (part 1)

posted 03-03-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/03/03/conseils-de-residents-et-familles-partie-1 Q&A series begins with examining the purpose of the councils By Farinaz Havaei & Sheila Novek March 3, 2025 istockphoto.com/DrazenZigic Resident and family councils are forums for residents and family members to discuss concerns and ideas, to communicate with management, and to advocate on behalf of the people living within each LTC home. Editor’s note: This article is an instalment of a four-part Q&A series that examines the role and function of resident and family councils in long-term care homes. Part 2 will be published ...

5 tips on supporting Muslim nurses during Ramadan

posted 02-27-2025
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/02/27/appuyer-infirmier-musulman-pendant-ramadan Talk to your colleagues and find out how you can help By Zahra Upal February 27, 2025 istockphoto.com/andresr It is helpful to have open and direct conversations with your Muslim colleagues so they can tell you how to support them during Ramadan. Each person is unique and their needs may differ from others. The holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin tomorrow evening, Feb. 28, or Saturday, March 1, and millions of Muslims around the world will fast from dawn to sunset. Along with fasting, the month’s activities include an increase ...