The Wingham Advance-Times, 1988-05-10, Page 9•
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1OA- The Wiughera A Vargele*TiMAP MAY 10 OM
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Did you know that May 13th
is RNA Day? It's the day set aside
each year in recognition of the
contribution made by Ontario's
35,000 Registered Nursing
Assistants.
You might be wondering
just what an RNA is and what we
do. RNAs are trained nursing
professionals. We are . some-
times called "Bedside Special-
ists', because we are the ones
who provide the 'hands on
care which RNs and doctors are
often too busy to provide.
RNAs are the ones who take
blood pressures and tempera-
tures, bathe patients, assist them
at mealtimes, and generally
make patients comfortable and
show them how to do things for
themselves. RNAs also take the
time to listen to patientsprob-
lems and offer guidance and
understanding. Whether we.are
working in a hospital, clinic or
homecare setting, our
personal touch" approach can
make a patient feel a little less
lonely or frightened.
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We hope that yo vvill take a
moment now to h 1p us cele-
brate our one speci _1,day. Think
about the caring which RNAs
give day after day and year after
year. And, think about the
tremendous impact of RNA care
on the health of all Ontarians
including xokil
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REGISTERED NURSING ASSISTANTS
Professional, Practical Nurses
Registered Nursing Assistants are professionals regulated under the
Health Disciplines Act.
Once a task has been delegated to an RNA and she/he has agreed to
perform it, the Registered Nursing Assistant is accountable for all
actions needed to carry out the task.
Through their educational' and clinical training, Registered Nursing
Assistants provide qualified, professional health-care set -vices to those
in need of nursing care,
What A Registered Nursing Assistant Can Do For You!
RN/Is work in (1 Variety of SetfingS
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES
PRIVATE HOMES
INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS
GENERAL HOSPITALS
:PSYCHIATRICHOSPITALS
REHABILITATION & THERAPEUTIC CENTRES
:DOCTORS' OFFICES
DAY-eARE CENTRES
NURSING HOMES
HOMES FOR THE AGED
PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FACILITIES
SCHOOLS
CHRONIC HOSPITALS
DENTAL OFFICES
"hands on"..,
ow to spot
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What AO RNA Can Do •
With their thorough educational background in the theory of nursing
as well as the biological and social science aspects of the profession,
RNAs provide vital; personal nursing care to hospital patients, institu-
tionalized elderiy citizens and residents of the community.
What we mean by
A hospital stay can be a lonely and
•confusing experience.
That's why we want to introduce
ourselves. The Registered Nursing
Assistant's principle duty is the direct care
of patients. Our9s is a "hands on
specialty.
We are the health care workers who wake
you up in the morning. We feed you, bath
you and make you alcomfortable as
possible during a health crisis. A'
“hands
11;Ou are not well enough to do it alone,
we are trained to lift and turn you as
smoothly and carefully as.possible. If you
are, ot walking, we- help you get on your
fet ain. „
We work very 'closely with doctors and
RN's, who rely on us to _provide them.
,
with vital information to treat your
problem. It is,ustially an RNA who will
take your blood pressure -and pulse, check
your temperattire and keep an eye on your
respiration.
on"
We mark your day-to-day changes on your
chart. In some -circumstances we also
administer necessary treatments and
medications.
The RNA, in short, is a bedside specialist.
If you start to worry, you should always
let us know. There is always time to chat,
to joke, to hold a hand.
We take pride in the "hands on nature of
our- work, and we care about you.
Ontario Association of
Registered Nursing Assistants
2000 Weston Road. Suite 200
Weston. Ontario 1149N 1X3
(416)247-7133
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