 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Telephone:
416 928-0900
Toll Free in Ontario:
1 800 387-5526
Fax:
416 928-6507
Nursing Practice > You Asked Us Online
Last modified March 7, 2005
Nursing Standards
Outreach Program
Seeking the College's Advice
Q
I am a staff nurse on a medical unit in a very large hospital. I have been told by my manager not to call the College of Nurses of Ontario for advice unless I notify her first. I have read in The Standard that anyone can call a Practice Consultant for information. I’m confused. Which process should I follow?
A
As a member of the College, you may contact a Practice Consultant any time by e-mail or during business hours by phone to discuss practice standards and other regulatory issues. However, you may first want to understand why your employer is making this request.
One of the ways the College supports nurses to meet practice expectations is by sharing current, timely and accurate information about the College’s practice standards. Practice Consultants are nurses and experts in interpreting the standards and helping members address issues in their practices or workplaces.
Practice Consultants also help nurses distinguish if an issue relates to the practice standards or would be better addressed by another body, such as a professional association, union or the employer.
When a member consults with a Practice Consultant, the contact and the nature of the call remain confidential and are not given to an employer unless the caller agrees to do so in advance.
Having said this, your employer may be encouraging you to use the facility’s resources first. This would allow the organization to benefit from collective problem-solving, identify themes or trends in practice, and increase the communication between nursing staff and management about specific nursing practice issues.
If there is a difference in opinion about the application of a practice standard, a Practice Consultant can most efficiently consult with you by communicating with one representative from your organization who can outline the issues. If the disagreement is about the plan of care for a specific client, reviewing the College’s guideline Disagreeing with the Multidisciplinary Plan of Care at www.cno.org is a helpful first step.
[top]