What is COHNA/ACIIST - Canadian Occupational Health Nurses

What is COHNA?
By: Valerie Adrian RN, BSN, COHN(C)
COHNA President 2007 – 2009
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES
ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
www.cohna-aciist.ca
[email protected]
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
History
• Canadian OHNs meeting informally since
1980.
• Three National groups have existed
– CCOHN Inc
– NAOHN Inc
– COHNA/ACIIST
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
Canadian Council for Occupational
Health Nurses
• Established as the certifying body for
OHNs in 1981
• CCOHN worked with CNA Testing Service
– First national OHN certification exam was
established in 1984
• Goal
– To increase recognition of OHN as a
speciality area
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
National Association of
Occupational Health Nurses
• 1986 - Informal gatherings of provincial
OHN presidents and members led to
creating a national organization
– Comprised of an executive committee and
BOD representing 9 provinces
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
NAOHNA (cont’d)
• Objectives
– To establish and maintain standards of OHN
practise
– To provide a forum for exchange of ideas and
concerns
– Raise the profile of OHNs at provincial,
national & territorial levels
– Speak with a national voice on issues of
Occupational Health and Occupational Health
Nursing
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
NAOHNA (cont’d)
• 1992 – a name change was proposed to
facilitate international identification
• 1994 - NAOHN was dissolved and the
BOD incorporated COHNA/ACIIST
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA/ACIIST
• 1995 – national standards for OHNs were
approved
• Current members of provincial OHN
groups make up COHNA/ACIIST
– Provincial associations pay an annual
membership fee and select a voting delegate
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA/ACIIST Objectives
• Improve the health & safety of workers by
speaking with a national voice to influence
health, safety, environmental, & wellness
regulation & legislation.
• Advance the profession by providing a
national forum on the exchange of ideas
and concerns.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA/ACIIST Objectives
• Promote national standards for
occupational health nurses.
• Enhance the profile of occupational health
nurses at the provincial/territorial, national
and international levels.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA/ACIIST Objectives
• Encourage continuing education
• Ensure the certification process meets
COHNA/ACIIST standards.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA 2009
• Members
– Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,
Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British
Colombia
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
Member Representation
• Through your provincial Director/delegate,
who has one (1) vote on the COHNA
Board of Directors
• Through COHNA, you have membership
in CNA
• Through the COHNA Board, you have
representation as part of the CNA
Specialty Association Groups,
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress - 2008
• Cut BOD teleconferencing costs by
reducing the number of meetings and
deleting executive only meetings.
• Hired administration staff to provide
continuity and facilitate activities in a
timely manner.
– Mailing Address
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress - 2008
• Redesigned & updated the website
– Promoted the launch of the website with a
postcard
• Revised and simplified the Bylaws.
• Updated the COHNA Informational
Booklet; adding a Mental Health
component.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress - 2008
• Planned for an open meeting for members in
conjunction with the COHNA Education Day.
- Held in Ontario
• Involved in lobbying activities
– Canadian Health Network.
• Advised CNA on various papers
– Workplace Violence Position Statement
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress - 2009
• Continued to update & improve website
– Added “Ask a Colleague” Section
– Posted jobs
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress - 2009
• Updated & simplified the Operating
Guidelines
– Combined Nurse of the Year & Exemplary
Service Award to be renamed as the
COHNA/ACIIST Award of Excellence.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress - 2009
• Developed & promoted OHN Survey
– Grand Prize of $500 towards CEUs
– 1 COHNA watch per province or territory
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA Progress - 2009
• Printed Business Cards
• In progress of sending Congratulatory
Message to the successful candidates of
the OHN Certification Exam for 2008 &
2009.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
Where do we go from here?
• Tapping into the expertise of members
• Promoting mentorship programs to
educate and encourage nurses to consider
a career in Occupational Health Nursing
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
Where do we go from here?
• Lobbying CNA & provincial registering
bodies to promote OHNs to government.
– Writing and supporting resolutions
• Promoting Business & Marketing
skills/education for OHNs to promote
themselves to Employers, Clients & other
nurses.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
What do COHNA members Need?
• On-line learning?
• Networking with other COHNA members?
• Updates on OHN issues?
• Forum to share information instead of
reinventing the wheel?
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
What can COHNA members
contribute?
• Expertise
• Experiences
• Support
– Check the website, Ask & Answer Questions
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
Remember….
COHNA/ACIIST is your association.
Your contribution, support and feedback is
essential to COHNA.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
Thank you for the excellent work
and ongoing support that you
provide for your speciality.
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
COHNA/ACIIST
Questions & Feedback
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES
ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL
www.cohna-aciist.ca
302 The East Mall, Suite 605, Toronto, ON
M9B 6C7
[email protected]
CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES INFIRMIÈRES
ET INFIRMIERS EN SANTÉ DU TRAVAIL