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Publications & Resources > The Standard > September 2005

   Last modified: Aug. 25, 2005

Highlights of the long-term care teleconferences

This year, the College initiated a teleconference series to further explore the realities of long-term care (LTC) practice settings. The four-part series is providing an open forum for the College, nurse leaders, administrators and employers in the LTC sector. It allows them to network, share ideas and knowledge, and reflect on and discuss current issues. This opportunity promotes self-regulation and protects the public’s right to safe, effective and ethical client care.

“The College hopes that, through this dialogue, we will be able to work with the long-term care sector to position issues that may be used in further stakeholder discussions,” says Heather Campbell, RN, the director of Practice and Policy at the College.

The first teleconference, Accountabilities of Nurse Leaders in Long-Term Care, was on March 25 and attracted 150 delegates. “From the feedback we received from participants, the teleconference was a huge success,” says Campbell.

The second teleconference, Working with Unregulated Care Providers, was on May 17. Prior to the event, the participants submitted questions, and the conference coordinators organized the concerns under the following headings.

  • The regulation of unregulated care providers (UCPs). While some participants saw benefits in regulating UCPs as a way to increase their accountability for the care they provide, others questioned whether regulation was the most appropriate solution for concerns identified in UCP practice.
  • Accountability of UCPs. Comments from the participants included the need to develop clear expectations of UCPs in caring for clients and in documenting the care they provide.
  • Role clarity and delegating or assigning procedures to UCPs. Some participants suggested that the College should be more assertive in helping to clarify roles and the appropriateness of nurses and unregulated staff performing controlled acts.
  • Staff mix (professional nursing staff to UCPs) and the increasing complexity of LTC residents. Several participants voiced concerns about the perceived devaluation of nursing in LTC and raised the issue of the College’s role in speaking out on LTC issues.
  • Supporting novice nurses. According to some participants, many novice nurses lack practical experience in LTC, which is creating a recruitment and clinical competence issue.

The third teleconference, RN and RPN Roles, will be held on September 14. The fourth, Standards in Practice, will be held on November 15. To register for Standards in Practice or read the conference highlights, visit the College’s website.

 

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