The Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-05-09, Page 8?age 8A - The Wingham Advraxice-Times, May 9, 1989
Did you know that May 13th
is RNA Day? Ifs 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-
ist5'", 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 patients' prob-
lems and offer guidance and
understanding. Whether we are
working in a hospital, clinic or
home -care setting, our
"personal touch" approach can
make a patient feel a little less
lonely or frightened.
We hope that you will take a
moment now to help us cele-
brate our one special 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 y!
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 services to those
in need of nursing care.
What A Registered Nursing Assistant Can Do For You!
RNAs work in a vuric't.v vjsettings including:
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES
PRIVATE HOrIES
INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS
GENERAL HOSPITALS
PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
REHABILITATION & THERAPEUTIC CENTRES
DOCTORS' OFFICES
DAY CARE CENTRES
NURSING HOMES
HOMES FOR THE AGED
PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FACILITIES
SCHOOLS
CHRONIC HOSPITALS
DENTAL OFFICES
"hands on':..
How to spot
an
What An 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 elderly citizens and residents of the community.
What we mean by "hands on"
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. Our's is a "hands on99
specialty.
We are the health care workers who wake
you up in the morning. We feed you, bath
you and make you as comfortable as
PQ§iib?C'Pl il)Pi�ilP4-1q1 Cr) ); Mlis 1i
If you 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 not walking, we help you get on your
feet again.
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 usually an RNA who will
take your blood pressure and pulse, check
:'your temperature and keep an eye on your
I' pituj1 tolmIlit►,,F,,a&!alfa.Iipl+3ltar.icfSii3il l ti
We mark tour day-to-day changes on your
chart. I11 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.
Salo%1410,11,1111.a11e001o0aeeeae.aa1li.ic;ue1.1.
Ontario Association of
Registered Nursing Assistants
2000 Weston Road, Suite 200
Weston, Ontario M9N 1X3
(416) 247-7133
�noauu.•
. a n. e e e e