As we look to the year ahead, and consider what we hope to accomplish - such as securing 70 per cent full-time employment for all nurses and improving access to nursing services by hiring an additional 9,000 RNs by 2015 - it's clear that we need your help.

If each of us asks one or two colleagues to join RNAO, then our influence will grow and our voice will strengthen and we'll leverage that to advocate for patients, promote health and save more lives.

To learn more about membership recruitment rewards click here.

RN regulators chose the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to bring the existing American exam, the NCLEX-RN to Canada for the purpose of licensing new Canadian nurses.

There is no question that the CNO and other RN regulators have the authority and responsibility to regulate and support competent, safe practice in Canada. However, the RNAO supports the Canadian Nurses Association in calling for the regulators to withdraw their decision immediately.

Dozens of registered nurses have already written to and called the College urging them to revisit their decision. Keep up the pressure. Learn more about this important issue, and sign the petition for a Made-In-Canada RN entry exam.

Talks about the future of health care aren't just about how much money is in the funding envelop. The federal government has an obligation to look at the needs of Canadians, the association says.

Despite its disappointment with the stand taken by the federal government, RNAO applauds the premiers' decision to form a committee that focuses attention on three areas: scope of practice for health-care providers; management of health resource costs; and clinical practice guidelines.

To find out more, read our press release and respond to our action alert.

Does that sound like you? Actually - that's every nurse. Leadership is a shared responsibility and it's important that every nurse understands leadership is a behaviour - not a position. If you live in the Ottawa area, join us for RNAO's Every Nurse a Leader workshop (Feb. 1, 2012) and become a role model, a visionary, a mentor and advocate for quality care.

For more information, visit www.rnao.org/events or email events@rnao.org.

The deadline for the awards is Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Don't miss out! To nominate a colleague, yourself or your organization, visit www.rnao.org/awards and download a nomination form.

The event provides an opportunity for nurses to meet one-on-one with decision-makers to address everything from nursing employment to changes in our health-care system to poverty.

More than 200 nurses, including RNAO's Board of Directors, Assembly members, Political Action Officers and nursing students are expected to participate in meetings with MPPs and their staff.

This year, nurses will take the microphone to ask politicians about the fiscal challenges facing the province and what that means for nursing employment and the delivery of health care.

Stay tuned for more information. Questions? Contact Kayla Scott at kscott@rnao.org or 416-599-1925/1-800-268-7199 ext. 214.

The workshop will also focus on how trends in the national and global economy affect health and health care in Canada and abroad.

RNAO and the Canadian Nurses Association will present the workshop - Globalization: Its Impact on Nurses, Health Systems and Health - in Toronto on March 26-27, 2012. Space is limited, so register by Feb. 13, 2012.

For more information contact Kayla Scott at kscott@rnao.org or 416-599-1925/1-800-268-7199 ext. 214.

The online newsletter is published every six months and aims to inform nurses about the RNAO Nursing and eHealth Project. Check out the January 2012 issue by visiting http://www.rnao.org/ehealth.

The nurses represent nearly 40 health organizations that are in various stages of becoming a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO).

Debra Bournes, Provincial Chief Nursing Officer (pictured), was on-hand for the event. During her keynote speech she praised the BPG program and said it works because it provides nurses with clinical expertise and an action plan to create healthy work environments.

Use RNAO's BPGs and care for your patients the evidence-based way. For a limited time select guidelines are 50 per cent off.

Clinical:

• Prevention of Falls and Fall Injuries in the Older Adult
• Caregiving Strategies for Older Adults with Delirium, Dementia and Depression
• Integrating Smoking Cessation into Daily Nursing Practice
• Enhancing Healthy Adolescent Development
• Nursing Management of Hypertension
• Assessment and Management of Pain
• Best Practice Guidelines for the Subcutaneous Administration of Insulin in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Healthy Work Environment:

• Developing and Sustaining Nursing Leadership
• Preventing and Managing Violence in the Workplace
• Developing and Sustaining Effective Staffing and Workload Practices
• Workplace Health, Safety and Well-Being of the Nurse

For details, including how to purchase these resources, visit www.RNAO.org/bestpractices or contact Julie Burris at jburris@rnao.org or 416-599-1925/1-800-268-7199 ext. 257. Sale ends March 1, 2012.

The meeting showcases an outstanding program that includes keynote speakers, updates from your President, David McNeil, Executive Director, Doris Grinspun and incoming President, Rhonda Seidman-Carlson. This year's theme is Looking back with pride. Moving forward with vision.

Our 87th AGM will be held April 26-28, 2012 at the Toronto Hilton Hotel. Mark your calendars and register online starting Jan. 30.

The occasion marks Florence Nightingale's birthday (May 12) and recognizes the dedication and achievements of the nursing profession.

This year's theme is Nursing - The Health of Our Nation. How are you celebrating? Consider organizing a Nursing Week luncheon, guest speaker, RN appreciation event, or social outing in your community.

Be sure to visit our Nursing Week website at www.nursingweek.rnao.ca. Over the next few months we'll be updating and adding new resources to help you celebrate.

We want to hear about your memories of nursing school, specifically what they didn't tell you in nursing school. They say every profession has a few hidden surprises. Tell us about what surprised you when you transitioned from the classroom to the bedside. Paint a picture of the lessons you learned that weren't taught in a textbook.

We'll be featuring your stories on RNAO's website during Nursing Week and publishing a selection of them in the July/August issue of Registered Nurse Journal.

Send your stories (in 500 words or less) to editor@rnao.org. Please include your full name, membership number, and a phone number where you can be contacted.