Health Force Ontario University Health Network James Bay General Hospital Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin

1. Collaboration to change the
landscape of nursing:
A journey between
urban and remote
practice settings
Dr. Mary Ferguson-Pare
Pat Chilton
Dr. Claire Mallette
Susan McLeod
Kelly Reuben
Baiba Zarins
National Aboriginal Health Organization
November 25th, 2009

2. Beginning and Overview

3. Weeneebayko
Health
Ahtuskaywin
(WHA)
University
Health Network
(UHN)

4. Building Interest and Capacity
Ontario MoH&LTC Health Human
Resources demonstration project
Retention & Recruitment: create
best practice environment
Knowledge Networking: professional
development
Unit Resource Analysis Tool: test in
external setting
E-learning: develop 5 remote
applicable education modules and
expand existing audience

5. Implementation -Marketing
Methodology-key goals
Career Mobility
Knowledge Networking
Personal Growth

6. Implementation-Recruitment
Pre-Departure
Resume
Leave of absence from home unit
ONA Letter of Agreement
Logistics of placement
Travel and Accommodation
Financials
Skill competency
Support systems
Return to urban practice setting

7. Outcomes Evaluation
Quantitative Data
Retention & Recruitment indicators
Nurse Resource Analysis Tool data
e-learning (LMS) utilization
Qualitative Data
Journal excerpts
Debrief sessions

8. e-learning
Home page screen: Urinalysis module

9. Nurses For Tomorrow
http://www.nursesfortomorrow.ca

10. Implementation Process
The Unit Staffing Analysis tool (as an individualized
questionnaire) is made available to every Nurse
Manager at the end of each quarter; data
gathered includes:
Actual vacancies at that point in time
Predicted vacancies for the upcoming fiscal quarter
Key staff characteristics (including number of nurses new to that
clinical area)
Clinical supports available (e.g., Clinical Educators, APNs, etc.)
Key unit characteristics (including number of funded and
unfunded beds, number of specialty beds, etc.)

11. 1200
Evaluation-Quantitative (WHA) UHN Nursing Placements and WHA Agency Utilization 12
1000 UHN Starting Placements 10
WHA Agency Hours
800 8
WHA Agency Hours
UHN Placements
600 6
400 4
200 2
0 0
Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep-
07 07 07 07 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09
Date

12. Outcomes Evaluation-Qualitative
43 participants
(UHN)
21 debrief e-mail surveys (51% return rate)
In-person, telephone and e-mail for all participants
Themes of 8 open ended questions:
Orientation
Skills acquisition/certification
Placement Highlights
Placement Challenges
Repeat or extended placement

13. Journaling the Experience

14. Outcomes Evaluation-Qualitative
(WHA)
8 urban placement experiences
Overall themes:
Environment
Skill acquisition/certification
Placement Highlights
Placement Challenges
Marketing of program
MFP interview with Brian Linklater

15. Sustainability Planning
Fostering the spirit of inquiry
Philosophy of lifelong
learning
Appreciation of
global nursing practice

16. Future Expansions
UHN Allied Health department
Clinical Nutrition
External adjunct collaborations:
Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH)
University of Toronto: First Nations Program
Research Doctorate
First Nations Oncology Program

17. Acknowledgements…
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
Health Force Ontario
James Bay Hospitals
Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin
UHN Corporate Nursing Department
Mount Sinai Hospital

18. In Jennifer’s words…
I really do miss the staff of James Bay.
I miss the many Cree people I met personally
and professionally. I have tremendous
respect for their culture.
Back at work I am continually asked: “Would
you do it again?” without hesitation I reply
“Absolutely!”
Open Mind and Open Heart.