President's Message
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Dear Fellow Family Practice Nurses,
It has become a way of life as a Registered Nurse for over 33 years, working in the Intensive Care Unit, Operatiing Room and a s a Pediatric nurse. For the last 24 years I have been working as a Family Practice Nurse with my husband David MacNeil.
Our FPNANS association was established in June 2007 and we now have over 50 registered nurses in our provincial membership. Research has shown Family Practice Nurses are integral members of the collaborative health care team although the role of the FPN in primary health care is often misunderstood and unrecognized. Nurses are providing preventive care, health education , continuity, telephone triage, health assessments, immunizations, prenatal, well baby, well women exams and many other key services.
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Both the provincial (FPNANS) and national (Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association CFPNA) are working hard to help key stakeholders have a better understanding of the nursing role in primary health care. FPNANS and CFPNA have worked closely with the Canadian Nurses Association and the Canadian College of Family Physicians in developing and supporting the nursing role in primary health care.
The FPNANS executive has been working to increase our profile over the last year. There are 76 family physicians in NS who have Family Practice Nurses working with them. We would like to increase that even further so that every family doctor in Nova Scotia will have a Family Practice Nurse working collaboratively with them in the next several years. With determination and persistence we hope to get benefits for the FPN as our profile increases and members of the FPNANS increases. Patients, nurses and doctors are spreading the word that Family Practice Nurses are making a difference. Latest article was written by Daralynn MacLean on her positive experience as a Family Practice Nurse. This can be found on our website fpnans.ca.
In closing and in the spirit of Florence Nightingale Family Practice Nurses are holding the candle and it will never go out. Family Practice Nurses are here to stay, we are making a difference. Working side by side with other health care providers we are ensuring our patients are well cared for. We must continue to be our own best advocate. On a personal level, it is extremely important that each of us look after ourselves, healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise and of course walk the talk. We should continue to learn, collaborate and network to help provide excellent health care to everyone.
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With warmest Regards,
Nancy E. MacNeil RN - Family Practice Nurse
President, Family Practice Nurse Association of Nova Scotia
nbasinview@msn.com
www.fpnans.ca
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