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Canadian Nurse blogs

From the clinic to the classroom: how teaching PSW students opened up a nursing role I did not know existed

posted 10 hours ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/09/21/de-la-clinique-a-la-salle-de-classe ‘For nurses considering teaching PSW students, my advice is simple: do it.’ By Hamsha Mahalingasivam September 21, 2026 istockphoto.com/SDI Productions Supporting PSW education is not a departure from nursing practice — it is an extension of it. When I first transitioned from clinical nursing to health-care education more than a decade ago, it was to teach personal support worker (PSW) students. Courtesy of Hamsha Mahalingasivam “PSWs have long been essential partners in many care settings. As nurses, we have a responsibility to ensure ...

A nurse’s journey of becoming: my long and winding path to earning a PhD, shaped by tradition and aspiration

posted 7 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/09/14/parcours-dune-infirmiere-realisation-de-soi ‘I realized that the question was not whether I was ready for doctoral study, but whether I was prepared to stop holding myself back’ By Eunice K. Assem-Erhaze September 14, 2026 istockphoto.com/andresr Many Canadian nurses face this same balancing act, juggling professional responsibilities with academic aspirations. It is a testament to the resilience and dedication that define our profession. Growing up in a working-class household in Accra, Ghana, I never imagined I would one day pursue a doctoral degree in nursing in Canada. The path ...

Exploring the space between saving a life and providing comfort care

posted 13 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/09/08/sauver-une-vie-et-offrir-des-soins-de-confort The many shades of grey in nursing between heroics and humanity By Marianne M. Rowland September 8, 2026 istockphoto.com/andresr At first, the science takes centre stage. The patient is admitted to the ICU, surrounded by machines that hum and beep like a symphony of survival. But as the layers of illness unfold, the truth emerges: chronic disease, cancer, comorbidities stacked like dominoes waiting to fall. In a world obsessed with outcomes, nursing reminds us that sometimes the greatest victory is not in saving a life, but in honouring ...

Implementing mandatory vaccination in health-care workers: strategies for nursing leaders

posted 21 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/08/31/mise-en-oeuvre-de-la-vaccination Reasons and implications for non-compliance, and solutions to consider By Kristi McManus August 31, 2026 istockphoto.com/FatCamera Ensuring health-care workers meet vaccination requirements in line with public health recommendations and organizational policies is vital for creating and maintaining a healthy environment for patients and staff. As vaccine-preventable illnesses re-emerge in communities, the risk of exposure for patients and staff is increasing (Alberta Health Services, 2025). Nursing leaders are in a unique position to address this ...

Reducing workplace injuries: impact of an air-powered turning system on staff safety and satisfaction

posted 28 days ago
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/08/24/effet-systeme-transfert-des-patients-pneumatique Quality improvement initiative finds reduced workplace musculoskeletal injuries and improved staff satisfaction in an inpatient setting By Noorin Darvesh August 24, 2026 The author’s quality improvement initiative highlights that an air-powered turning system is associated with reduced workplace musculoskeletal injuries and improved staff satisfaction in an inpatient setting. Greater accessibility to safer patient handling interventions may reduce staff injuries. Takeaway messages An air-powered turning system was associated with ...

From resilience to prosilience: strengthening nurse well-being & organizational culture through proactive support

posted 08-17-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/08/17/de-la-resilience-a-la-prosilience A system-level initiative to preparing nurses for emotional and ethical demands By Sherry Hole August 17, 2026 istockphoto.com/FatCamera Transitioning from a resilience-focused narrative to a prosilience-oriented culture affirms that nurse well-being is essential to ethical, safe, and sustainable health care. Takeaway messages Resilience alone is not enough — nurses need system-level support. Prosilience strengthens nurses’ capacity to navigate emotionally and ethically demanding situations with greater confidence, clarity, and resilience ...

Protect time, retain nurses: why hospitals need to embrace the protected time model

posted 08-10-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/08/10/temps-reserve-au-perfectionnement Dedicating paid hours for learning, innovation, and skill development shows positive results in organizations bold enough to implement it By Ibrahim Akbar August 10, 2026 istockphoto.com/Drs Producoes Protected professional development time, where nurses spend a designated portion of their paid hours on learning, innovation, and skill development rather than direct patient care, has quietly demonstrated remarkable results in organizations bold enough to implement it. Takeaway messages Protected professional development time (80/20 models) ...

How a B.C. community hospital formed a multidisciplinary team to improve access to hip and knee replacement

posted 08-04-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/08/06/hopital-communautaire-protocole-fast ‘FAST pathway’ increased patient volume while maintaining high-quality care By Michele Montgomery, Jennifer Watters, & Brittany Spence August 4, 2026 istockphoto.com/Unaihuiziphotography Nursing professionals were instrumental in mapping the patient journey from surgical consultation through discharge. For years, the challenges faced by Burnaby Hospital in managing hip and knee replacement patients have significantly impacted nursing practice. During the early COVID-19 pandemic, elective surgeries such as hip and knee replacements were paused, ...

Taking on the world: retired veteran triumphs at Invictus Games

posted 07-27-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/07/27/adria-brochu-conquerir-le-monde Former Canadian Armed Forces nurse Adria Brochu says ‘anything is possible’ as she overcomes visible and invisible disabilities By Laura Eggertson July 27, 2026 Courtesy of Adria Brochu A retired Canadian Armed Forces nurse, Adria Brochu now devotes her time to adaptive sport, volunteering, and supporting fellow veterans as she navigates life with chronic illness. “I have a very busy and full life,” Brochu says. As Adria Brochu stared down at the crowd of well-wishers gathered at the base of Whistler Mountain to cheer her on at the Invictus Games, ...

Nurses join other health-care professionals to keep planetary health at the forefront of public discourse

posted 07-20-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/07/20/sante-planetaire-coeur-debat-public Concrete actions you can take in your workplaces, communities, and professional organizations By Rob Samulack, Kimberly LeBlanc , & Teri Forster July 20, 2026 istockphoto.com/Yuliya Taba Nurses are at the heart of every aspect of health care. We need to harness this power to be change agents for combating the climate crisis. Canada marked the first National Day of Action on Planetary Health on October 6, 2025. The Globe and Mail and the Canadian Medical Association hosted an inspirational event aimed at implementing the Roadmap for Planetary ...

From credentials to contribution: a personal journey as an internationally educated nurse in Canada

posted 07-13-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/07/13/titres-de-competences-a-la-contribution IENs bring essential skills, cultural diversity, and commitment to Canadian health care By Ancy Cletus Leena July 13, 2026 istockphoto.com/Fly View Productions Many IENs face significant physical, emotional, and systemic challenges as they adjust to living in a new country and culture. I am an internationally educated nurse (IEN) who arrived in Canada in 2016 with a master’s degree and years of clinical experience from India. It took years of assessments and exams before I could practise as a registered nurse in my new home. During that time, ...

‘You have to find your voice’: Alberta nurse urges colleagues to practise wellness and self-advocacy

posted 07-06-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/07/06/barbara-campbell-trouver-sa-voix Barbara Campbell views Alberta Association of Nurses’ new relationship with CNA as strengthening support and resources for profession By Laura Eggertson July 6, 2026 Courtesy of Barbara Campbell “Your voice is through your association,” says Barbara Campbell, who retired earlier this year after 40 years of nursing practice. “I believe nurses can find support from their provincial and national association. There’s strength in numbers.” The realization that self-advocacy is critical for a nurse’s health and wellness is the driving force behind Campbell’s ...

Who gets to belong in nursing? What our students are telling us

posted 06-29-2026
infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/06/29/qui-a-sa-place-en-soins-infirmiers/ Whether whispered or shouted, the message is clear: your presence may be tolerated, but your truths are not By Vanessa Van Bewer June 29, 2026 istockphoto.com/Sean Anthony Eddy More than ever, students are speaking up and naming discrimination in the classroom, posting on social media, and reporting harmful experiences to faculty. Unfortunately, many continue to face punishment for their honesty, their courage, and their refusal to stay silent. I’ve been working in nursing education for more than a decade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that ...

Ditch the dipstick: the important role of the nurse leader in supporting quality improvement in health care

posted 06-22-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/06/22/dites-adieux-aux-bandelettes-reactives Choosing Wisely Canada’s recommendations to reduce inappropriate urine dipstick use By Amna Zafar, Deb Schick, & Julie Weir June 22, 2026 istockphoto.com/daveRN Urine dipsticks are commonly used as a point-of-care test to detect bacteriuria in the process of diagnosing bladder infection. However, for many populations, asymptomatic bacteriuria is a normal finding that does not require treatment. Takeaway messages Do not use urine dipsticks to diagnose urinary tract infections (UTI) in people 65 years and older. Instead, actively monitor ...

Optimizing prescribed inhaler use: nursing support for people and the planet

posted 06-15-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/06/15/optimiser-lutilisation-des-inhalateurs-prescrits Nurses play a vital role in supporting effective, safe, and environmentally responsible inhaler use By June Kaminski June 15, 2026 istockphoto.com/Evgeniya Pavlova Optimizing inhaler use begins with understanding the individual patient’s treatment needs. Factors such as age, comorbidities, cognitive function, dexterity, socioeconomic status, and cultural background all affect the suitability and effectiveness of different inhaler types. Takeaway messages A planetary health lens can be used by nurses to guide inhaler choice and ...

Health care’s nursing shortage: how nurses can lead the change

posted 06-08-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/06/08/penurie-infirmier-peuvent-mener-le-changement Understanding the factors that contribute to this issue, and considering solutions to ensure a sustainable health-care workforce By Kristi McManus June 8, 2026 istockphoto.com/South_agency The nursing shortage cannot be attributed to a single factor. Like any issue of this magnitude, several factors play a role in the problem. The nursing shortage has been well documented worldwide, with health-care organizations struggling for decades to find experienced, qualified practitioners to meet the needs of their communities. Despite the attention, ...

More than a deep breath: as wildfire smoke returns, the case for protecting quality in pediatric spirometry

posted 06-01-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/06/01/preserver-la-qualite-spirometrie-pediatrique A nurse’s perspective on preparation, precision, and seasonal pressure in pediatric testing By Celise Hack June 1, 2026 istockphoto.com/ti-ja Preparing children for spirometry may seem like a modest intervention, but improving readiness for diagnostic testing has the potential to reduce anxiety, improve the clinical experience for families, and support the collection of meaningful data for clinicians. Wildfires have become a seemingly persistent feature of prairie summers. My cousins, both nurses working in northern communities, have ...

‘HPV doesn’t discriminate’: Nova Scotia nurse/researcher advocates for more inclusive vaccination

posted 05-25-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/05/25/chercheur-nouvelle-ecosse-noah-doucette Noah Doucette focuses on raising awareness about the importance of the HPV vaccine and ensuring more people receive it By Laura Eggertson May 25, 2026 Courtesy of Noah Doucette “The equitable thing would be to make it accessible for everyone,” Noah Doucette says of the HPV vaccine. “Make it more accessible for people because that can reduce health-care utilization, and in turn, potentially save some money.” Noah Doucette was just 20 years old when a doctor diagnosed him with human papillomavirus (HPV) during his second year at Cape Breton ...

Don’t forget saying ‘thank you’ and ‘well done’: how peer recognition rebuilt morale in an ICU

posted 05-19-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/05/19/spotlight-reconnaissance-entre-collegues A simple intervention called Spotlight acknowledges excellence, amplifies unheard voices, and cultivates psychological safety By Viksit Bali May 19, 2026 Courtesy of Viksit Bali Though modest in form, the Spotlight board was deeply intentional. It was designed to acknowledge excellence in the moment, amplify voices that often go unheard, and cultivate psychological safety in a high-pressure environment. Intensive care units (ICUs) are known for their clinical complexity, high emotional burden, and relentless pace. Amid critical decision-making ...

‘I feel deeply honoured to serve patients in communities and to ensure they receive the best care’

posted 05-15-2026
https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/05/15/linfirmiere-du-nord-abby-nash Northern nurse Abby Nash views working with Indigenous communities as an act of commitment By Michelle Ramos May 15, 2026 Courtesy of Abby Nash “Taking the time to listen and making space for questions and family presence is what makes people feel safe, seen and heard. People remember how you made them feel,” Abby Nash says. BELLA BELLA, B.C. — In a coastal community accessible mainly by air or sea, where distance can shape access to care, nurse Abby Nash’s work is as much about building trust as it is about treating patients. Nash’s nursing journey ...