Open letter from CNA President Kaaren Neufeld – Copenhagen Climate Change Summit
In advance of the international climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December, President Kaaren Neufeld writes to the prime minister urging action to reduce and adapt to climate change. She also draws the government’s attention to the role of nurses in addressing climate change.

JOINT POSITION STATEMENT – Nursing Leadership
Canada needs nurse leaders. The current climate of restraint demands nurses to not only provide exemplary care, but also to take charge, expand their practice, and advocate for healthy public policy. This position statement articulates CNA’s stance on this critical issue.

Canada celebrates National Child Day on November 20th
In an open letter to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Robert Nicholson, CNA draws attention to the fact that as a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the government of Canada committed to ensuring that all children in our country are fully provided for and protected, and that they have access to a healthy, productive and respectful life.

JOINT POSITION STATEMENT – Toward an Environmentally Responsible Canadian Health Sector
CNA has collaborated with 12 national organizations to set out a vision of the health sector as a leader in integrating environmentally responsible practices into the delivery of health care and as an advocate in sharing information on best practices.

CNA CEO urges Fraser Health to keep RNs in senior executive positions
In a letter to the CEO of the Fraser Health Authority in British Columbia, Rachel Bard, chief executive officer of CNA, raised concerns regarding his decision to eliminate top nursing positions from the organization’s executive team. CNA believes that nurse executives must sit at senior decision-making tables and have the authority and resources to implement high-quality care practices.

New! CNA Webinar Series: Progress in Practice
January 13, 2010: Optimize Your Role with New Tools for Primary Care. Learn how CNA can help you create better teams and maximize your primary care role.

If you missed Discover How Nurses are Improving Work Environments or Drill Down into Nurse Fatigue and Patient Safety, the recorded sessions are available.

Fewer nursing grads in 2008
Lower nursing school admissions in 2004-2005 resulted in a drop in graduates in 2008. Schools took measures to help meet the nursing demand, but findings from Nursing Education in Canada Statistics, 2007-2008 still point to a potential crisis in nursing education in the next decade.

Government Clarifies H1N1 Vaccine Advice for Pregnant Women
The Public Health Agency of Canada considers the unadjuvanted vaccine the preferred option for pregnant women. However, if the unadjuvanted vaccine is not available and H1N1 flu rates are high or increasing in the community, the adjuvanted vaccine should be offered to women more than 20 weeks gestation and to women less than 20 weeks gestation with underlying health conditions. Please review the information for health providers and pregnant women.

Patient Safety Week, November 2-6, 2009, is your opportunity to increase your awareness on issues surrounding patient safety. Whether you are a nurse, patient, family member, other health-care provider or member of the public, read the open letter from CNA's president and raise your consciousness surrounding patient safety issues.

Call for Nominations for CNA President-Elect and members of the Committee on Nominations
CNA is currently accepting nominations for a president-elect, who will advance to the office of president, and for two members of the CNA Committee on Nominations. Jurisdictional, associate and individual members may submit nominations. The deadline for applications is November 30, 2009.

Call for Nominations for the Jeanne Mance Award 2010
The deadline for submitting nominations for the Jeanne Mance Award is January 15, 2010.

Call for nominations for the CNA Order of Merit 2010
The deadline for submitting nominations for the CNA Order of Merit is January 15, 2010.

Call for Nominations for Public Representative on the CNA Board of Directors
CNA is seeking an interested member of the community to serve as public representative on the board of directors.