Her most memorable work as a nurse relates to her passion for working with vulnerable women and children. She was very fortunate to have been given a special assignment a few years ago working with homeless women and children in Toronto. This was a perfect fit for her at the time because she had just completed her graduate studies on this very population of at-risk families. Nicolette was able to build community partnerships with a number of organizations that work with homeless people. These partnerships ultimately meant that many families were able to navigate the system and had much better outcomes in their overall health and well-being.

The biggest challenge that Nicolette faces—not unlike many other nurses—is having enough time to do all that she wants to do! She knows that we all have the same amount of time in life, but her ideas for nursing and for life in general come faster than what she finds she can possibly implement.

After three decades in nursing, Nicolette shares one piece of wisdom with new graduate nurses:

          “Make sure you look after yourself! Incorporate exercise and good nutrition into your life. For sure, be dedicated to your patients and clients, but also make time to care for yourself. As nurses, we have the knowledge to promote health, but we don't always remember to use this knowledge on ourselves”

Each Newsletter will feature members of CHNIG Board of Directors or CHNIG Members. If you would like to submit to our next installment, please email Newsletter@chnig.org answering the following questions (attaching a photo if possible)

1. What is your role as a Community Health Nurse?
2. What is one of your most memorable experiences as a CHN?
3. What challenges do you face in your professional role?
4. If you were to share a piece of wisdom for nursing students or new graduate RNs, what would that be?

Click here for full details.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 11, 2014 @ 11:59pm.

In their recently released report ACHRU explored; interprofessional practice and education in Ontario, collaborative care models and core competencies in community care of the older adult, and noted best practices by jurisdictions within Canada and around the world, among other focuses. To view the report please click the link below:

Click here for more information

Education and Research Scholarships
Both of the CHNIG Education and Research awards are available through RNFOO on a yearly basis to current CHNIG members. Nurses working or intending to work in community health nursing are able to submit an application, via RNFOO, for an educational scholarship when pursing advanced education at the masters or doctoral level in a part-time or full-time capacity. The research scholarship is awarded to a current CHNIG member who is pursuing research in community health nursing at the masters or doctoral levels in a part-time or full-time capacity. The award can also be given to any community health nurse who wishes to undertake research in a community clinical setting.

Professional Development Bursaries
CHNIG provides funding to CHNIG members and students to support their attendance at the RNAO and CHNIG AGMs as well as the yearly National Community Health Nurses’ Conference. CHNIG Award of Clinical Excellence in Community Health Nursing Every year, CHNIG in collaboration with RNAO, recognizes the exemplary clinical practice of a community health nurse. The nominee must be a current member of CHNIG, involved in community health nurse practice, and provide nursing services to individuals, families, populations or communities.

Seed Grant Initiative
CHNIG will provide a “Seed Grant” to CHNIG members interested in creating and conducting workshops, organizing and implementing in services in the community, evaluating programs or practice guidelines, or other related activities that reflect the goals and mission of CHNIG. Applications for the “Seed Grant” should include those initiatives which enhance the profile of community health nurses and support them in their area of practice.

For any inquiries into CHNIG awards, bursaries or seed grants, please email our Member Benefits board member Barbara Kennedy at MemberBenefits@CHNIG.org

Ontario Nurses' Association Launches New Campaign in Sarnia: Radio ads raise awareness of value, role of CCAC Care Coordinators, Sarnia, September 29th, 2014

Is there an article or news story you would like featured in our next newsletter? Please email Newsletter@CHNIG.org

(CHNIG is not affiliated with the above mentioned news outlets, all opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of CHNIG or it’s board members)

Topics are focused on current issues, and provide a means for knowledge transfer, discussion, and resources to apply to practice. The monthly seminars are free of charge and open to all nurses. They are typically held on the third Thursday of the month from 12-1pm EST. Past presentations were very successful and covered the topics of Smoking Cessation, the Aging at Home Strategy, Chronic Disease Prevention, Cultural Safety, Primary Health Care, Political Action, Youth Engagement, Social Determinants of Health, Mental Health Promotion and our most recent presentation Policy and Practice Recommendations for Community Health Nursing

All presentations are archived here Please see CHNIG events calendar for more details. All participants are eligible to receive a certificate of attendance by completing the post-seminar survey available on our website.

For more of our recent seminars, click here

Visit CHNIG on Facebook! We frequently update our page with interesting information and updates on CHNIG activities. Click here to visit our page!

For more of our recent seminars, click here!

Educational Opportunities and Online learning available from National Collaborating Center for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) through McMaster University. See news release below to learn more about accessing the free online learning modules.

Visit NCCMT’s Learning Centre to begin Implementing KT Strategies in Public Health now! http://www.nccmt.ca/learningcentre