December 2015 Board Highlights The following are highlights from the College s Board of Directors meeting held Dec. 3 & 4, 2015 in Winnipeg. For more information or clarification on any item, please contact Patricia Benjaminson RN, President or Katherine Stansfield RN, Executive Director. Decisions Finance Committee Report George Prosk CA, chair of the Finance Committee, presented a report to the Board, outlining details of the Association of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (ARNM) loan terms, an investment consultant s report and the 2016 Board and operating budgets. Executive Expectations (EE-4): Financial Condition The Board accepted Executive Expectations (EE-4): Financial Condition report as presented, confirming the Executive Director is in compliance with the policy, which states that the Executive Director promotes the fiscal wellbeing of the College. Executive Expectations (EE-7): Compensation and Benefits The Board accepted the Executive Expectations (EE-7): Executive Expectations report as requested by the Governance Committee. The Finance Committee is satisfied that the College offers comparable and competitive salaries. 2016 Board Budget The Board approved the 2016 Board budget as presented. 2016 Operating Budget Steve Lanktree, Director of Corporate Services presented a detailed report of the database project and explanation of the 2016 operating budget. The Board approved the 2016 operating budget deficiency of $204,529.91 (revenues over expenditures before other items) in excess of the 2% total revenue criteria set by Board Policy EE-3. An operating deficit was expected as part of the College s regular cycle of funding and expenses. Governance Committee Report Marie Edwards RN, chair of the Governance Committee, provided a report to the Board. The Committee proposed that it work with Karen Fryday-Field (risk management consultant) regarding the monitoring function for these policies. 1
Executive Expectations (EE-6.1): Application of the Registered Nurses Act and Regulations The Board approved this policy as amended to remove information that was redundant with new legislation. Governance Process (GP-1): Role of the Board The Board approved this policy as amended to provide further clarification. Governance Process (GP-4.6): Finance Committee Terms of Reference The Board approved this policy as amended to provide further clarification on the re-election process for the Committee chair. Governance Process (GP-4.7): Governance Committee Terms of Reference The Board approved this policy as amended to add the nominating function to the terms to avoid a conflict of interest. Governance Process (GP-6): Board Planning Process The Board approved this policy as amended for further clarification around electronic record keeping, reflecting current practice. Complaints (C-10): Monitoring Reports This policy was deleted as it is an existing operational procedure. Complaints (C-11): Criteria for Referral for a Practice Audit This policy was deleted as it is an existing operational procedure. Registration (R-12): Conversion of Registration for Reinstatement After Greater Than One Year This policy was deleted as it is an existing operational procedure. Registration (R-14): Course of Instruction This policy was deleted as courses of instruction are not approved by the Executive Director. Registration (R-18): Variation or Removal of Conditions This policy was deleted as courses of instruction are not approved by the Executive Director. Appointments Committee The Appointments Committee made the following appointments: Investigators Janice Epp RN (reappointment) Janice Nesbitt RN (reappointment) Bobbi Thompson RN (reappointment) Practice Auditors Alexander Kowalski RN (reappointment) Lisa Kroeker RN (reappointment) Nicholas Wedel RN (reappointment) 2
Education Program Approvals Red River College RN Refresher Education Program Darlene O Reilly RN, Practice and Standards Consultant, presented the Education Program Committee s recommendation based on reports from independent evaluators who reviewed the program. The Board granted a five-year approval for the Red River College Registered Nurse Refresher Education Program from January 2016 January 2021. University of Manitoba Nurse Practitioner Program Darlene O Reilly RN, Practice and Standards Consultant, presented the Education Program Committee s recommendation based on reports from independent evaluators who reviewed the program. The University of Manitoba offers a full time Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner Program leading to registration on the extended practice register to become an RN(NP) with the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba. The Board granted a three year approval to the University of Manitoba Nurse Practitioner program from January 2016 January 2019, with follow up on the recommendations from the Education Program Committee and submission of a required progress report annually in June. Red River College Authorized Prescriber Education Program Darlene O Reilly RN, Practice and Standards Consultant, presented the Education Program Committee s recommendation based on reports from independent evaluators who reviewed the program. The Red River College (RRC) Registered Nurse Authorized Prescriber Program RN (AP) was developed in response to new legislation that will permit the expansion of the scope of practice of the registered nurse to include prescribing of certain drugs. A pilot of the first RN(AP) program is scheduled to begin in January 2016. The Board denied approval for the Red River College Authorized Prescriber Education Program until further evidence is available to address the concerns identified in the consultative report. September Board Meeting The Board changed the date for the September meeting to Sept. 8 & 9, 2016 to avoid conflict with the Council on Licensure, Enforcement & Regulation (CLEAR) Annual Education Conference. 3
Information & Discussion President s Update Patricia Benjaminson, President shared information about her ongoing activities in her role as President. Together with Leanne Matthes, Policy and Governance Consultant, Pat has been working on forming a citizen s advisory group to provide input to the Board. Executive Director s Update Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) Katherine Stansfield RN, Executive Director, provided an update on activities CCRNR has undertaken. They provide a national voice for regulators and have identified six priorities for 2016: 1. Competency work 2. Regulatory standards for professional ethics 3. Entry-to-practice exam maximum write policies (more information below) 4. Implementation plan for the NP practice analysis report (more information below) 5. Development of a unique identifier for RNs 6. 2017 education symposium for Board members Nurse Practitioner Practice Analysis The practice analysis is complete and the working group is in the process of finalizing the report for submission to the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR). The competencies identified in the analysis will be considered for recommendation for implementation as the new Canadian entry-level competencies for RN(NP)s and discussion will follow on how they could be used to inform future RN(NP) examinations. An extensive consultation with stakeholders will be held in early 2016 regarding the proposed competencies prior to presentation to the Board. NCLEX-RN College staff members have taken many opportunities to speak to the NCLEX-RN. During regular meetings with Manitoba nursing education leaders and nursing practice leaders, staff shared general information and addressed questions. Questions regarding NCELX-RN were also addressed at the Manitoba nursing liaison meeting that includes the three nursing regulators and the Manitoba Nurses Union. Through CCRNR, we received a series of letters written by Dr. Phil Dickison RN, Chief Officer, Examinations at the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), who addressed three specific questions about the NCLEX-RN including: 1. The myth about American content (Obamacare, and the US Food and Drug Administration) on the exam 2. The exam s French translation process 3. The report from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) that competencies required of Canadian nurses are not addressed properly in the exam More information and current NCLEX-RN results are available at crnm.mb.ca 4
Physician-Assisted Death The College is actively engaged in providing input and consultation related to the Supreme Court Decision regarding physician-assisted death. On Nov. 27 an education session was held for Board members, staff and members of an advisory committee. The goal is for the advisory panel to develop an interpretive document to guide nursing practice in Manitoba. Members of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba and College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba participated in the advisory group. Public Awareness Campaigns The RN campaign was officially launched on Friday, Nov. 6with billboards, print ads and a television commercial. The working group made up of RNs and non-rns at the College has worked with McKim Communications and Frank Digital to produce a 30 second TV commercial, print ads and billboards. All of these pieces will run/air through Dec. 9. The goal of the campaign was to protect the public by working together with RNs to highlight the important role that RNs and RN(NP)s play in health care, while also demonstrating the College s commitment to leadership and innovation in regulation. A second media buy will occur in early 2016 to improve the public s recollection of the ads and the impact they will have. The second phase of the campaign, the role of the College, will be developed and will launch in 2017. The goal of this phase of the campaign is to illustrate the important role the College plays in protecting the public. Code of Ethics In July 2014 a review of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics was initiated to ensure its content remains relevant in 2015 to Registered Nursing practice in Manitoba. The information gathered as a result of the above activities has ensured that the CNA Code of Ethics does remain relevant to Manitoba registered nursing practice. The language, values and responsibility statements continue to be applicable. With regards to the finding of limited knowledge regarding the use and application of the Code of Ethics we have identified this as an opportunity to focus education for members. 2016 Planning and Goals Katherine defined the College s operational goals for 2016 and shared information about how staff will track and measure accountability. 1. Registered Nurse (Authorized Prescriber) 2. Clinical Competence Assessment (CCA) 3. Public awareness campaigns 4. Database implementation 5
Breaking Issues Registration Renewal and Jurisprudence Suzanne Wowchuk RN, Director of Registration and Professional Conduct addressed trends for the 2016 registration renewal season. Exact numbers were not available at the time of the meeting but an overview showed similar numbers to 2015. There were a number of technical issues that RNs encountered this year and the College has been diligent in working to solve them for future years. Deb Elias RN, Director of Practice and Standards addressed technical issues related to the jurisprudence learning module. As issues were identified throughout the renewal period they were addressed and in most cases fixed. Steve Lanktree, Director of Corporate Services reported that approximately 4 per cent of RNs making payments by credit card had issues with their payments not being processed. This was a new and complicated issue and determining the exact cause of the problem has been a lengthy process that is still underway. The 2016 registration renewal season was challenging at times, and the Board sent its thanks to College staff and RNs who worked together throughout the process. RHPA Consultation Leanne Matthes, Policy and Governance Consultant has received approximately 15 calls regarding the consultation and in response, we have posted a Q & A document on our website. As well, College leaders met with the Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba (NPAM) to discuss title clarification. Risk Management The Board spent time evaluating their risk register and discussing strategies to mitigate risk to the Board and governance of the College. Monitoring Reports Monitoring reports for the following policies were received and approved: Strategic Objective 3: Marketing & Awareness 6