ORNAC’s next webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7pm ET!

We are pleased to have Lena Chamberlain present on the topic of “Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prevention in perioperative practices and beyond”.

Please sign up using the Zoom registration.

After your membership has been confirmed, you will receive an email with a link and information about joining the webinar.

It is important to log into your profile at ORNACmembers to find your ORNAC membership number to complete the registration.

Registration deadline is Monday, October 20, 2025 at 5 pm ET.

*Please note that this webinar will be in English.

2025 PNW Winning Theme & Written Abstract Contest!

Congratulations to Barbara Mushayandebvu, the winner of our 2025 PNW Theme Contest and a $50 Amazon gift card! Thank you to everyone who participated! 

We are thrilled to announce this year's theme: Behind the Mask: Advocacy, Compassion, and Surgical Excellence

We are also now accepting submissions for ORNAC’s 2025 PNW written abstract contest based on the winning theme! 

What does this year's theme, "Behind the Mask: Advocacy, Compassion, and Surgical Excellence" mean to you? We want to hear your ideas! Submit a 500-word max essay for a chance to win.

Click HERE to submit!

Written abstract submissions will be accepted until October 26, 2025, 5pm ET.

Prize Includes:

• 1 x complimentary 2027 National conference registration + ORNAC branded Yeti
• The winner of the written abstract will be announced during PNW on the week of November 9-15, 2025.

Note: The written abstract contest is open to current ORNAC members. Please only submit once. If there are multiple submissions, only the first submission will be considered.

Honoring Truth, Embracing Reconciliation: Reflecting Together

Today, on Truth and Reconciliation Day, we pause to remember the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools and the profound impact on Indigenous peoples. It is a day for reflection, learning, and a commitment to meaningful reconciliation. Let's commit to learning and walking the path of reconciliation together.

We’re excited to announce that we’ve secured a fantastic presenter for our September webinar!

ORNAC’s next webinar is scheduled for September 24th at 7pm ET!

We are pleased to have Dr. Brigid Nee present on “Endometriosis Awareness: Women’s Experiences, Care Pathways and Treatment Options”

Please sign up using the Zoom registration.

After your membership has been confirmed, you will receive an email with a link and information about joining the webinar.

Registration deadline is September 23rd at 5 pm ET.

*Please note that this webinar will be in English.

ORGANIZATIONS

This page is intended to provide Perioperative Nurses with additional resources that may support their professional practice. ORNAC does not specifically endorse or validate the content of these external organizations.

Accreditation Canada

A not-for-profit, independent organization that is affiliated with Health Standards Organization (HSO), Accreditation Canada delivers a wide range of high-impact assessment programs for health and social service organizations.

www.accreditation.ca

Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP)

A professional perioperative group for perioperative practitioners in the United Kingdom, AfPP is dedicated to improving perioperative care.

https://www.afpp.org.uk

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

A multidisciplinary, voluntary, international organization, APIC directs, supports, and improves the practice of IPAC and/or epidemiology.

https://apic.org

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)

A nonprofit organization, AAMI is focused on the development, management, and use of safe and effective health technology.

https://www.aami.org

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)

A professional perioperative group for registered nurses in the United States of America, AORN unites and empowers perioperative nurses, health care organizations, and industry partners to support safe surgery for every patient, every time.

https://www.aorn.org

Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN)

A professional perioperative group for registered nurses, ACORN advocates for safe, quality perioperative care for every patient on every occasion.

https://www.acorn.org.au

BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)

A program of the Provincial Health Services Authority, BCCDC provides provincial and national leadership in disease surveillance, detection, treatment, prevention, and consultation.

http://www.bccdc.ca

Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS)

A not-for-profit, voluntary organization, CAS is the national specialty society for anesthesiology in Canada.

https://www.cas.ca/en/home

Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO)

A national organization, CANO advances oncology nursing excellence through practice, education, research, and leadership.

https://www.cano-acio.ca

Canadian Blood Services (CBS)

An independent registered charity, CBS is responsible for operating the national blood and plasma supply system as well as the national public cord blood bank.

Note. CBS operates in all provinces and territories except for the Province of Québec, which is supported by Héma-Québec.

https://www.blood.ca

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

A federal department corporation, CCOHS promotes the total well-being—physical, psychological, and mental health— of working Canadians by providing information, training, education, management systems, and solutions that support health, safety, and wellness programs.

https://www.ccohs.ca

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)

An independent, not-for-profit organization, CIHI provides comparable and actionable data and information that are used to accelerate improvements in health care, health system performance, and population health across Canada.

https://www.cihi.ca

Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)

A membership-based, not-for-profit organization, CMPA assists physicians with medicolegal issues, enhances patient safety, and compensates patients harmed by negligent care.

https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/home

Canadian Network of Nursing Specialties

A committed group of nurses, Canadian Network of Nursing Specialities supports excellence in specialized nursing knowledge and practice by providing opportunities in leadership, education, policy advocacy, networking, research, and evidence-informed practice.

https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/membership/canadian-network-of-nursing-specialties

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)

As the national voice for nursing in Canada, CNA acts in the public interest for Canadian nursing and nurses; advocates for a publicly funded, not-for-profit health system; advances nursing excellence and positive health outcomes; and promotes profession-led regulation.

https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/home

Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS)

A nonprofit legal support system created by nurses for nurses, CNPS provides legal advice, risk management services, legal assistance, and professional liability protection related to nursing practice across all Canadian provinces and territories.

https://cnps.ca

Canadian Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (CPIAP)

A pan-Canadian interprofessional organization, CPIAP addresses the prevention and management of pressure injuries.

https://www.cpiap.com

Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)

A national nonprofit organization, CPHA improves the health of Canadians and contributes to a more equitable society.

https://www.cpha.ca

Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (CSGNA)

A special-interest group, CSGNA represents gastroenterology nurses across Canada. The association includes endoscopy nurses as well as other health care professionals and workers in the field of gastroenterology, endoscopy, and related fields.

https://www.csgna.com

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

One of the major operating components of the US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC protects America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and in the US.

https://www.cdc.gov

Centre of Forensic Science (CFS)

The Government of Ontario’s forensic science facility, CFS conducts scientific investigations in cases involving injury or death and crimes against people and property.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/centre-forensic-sciences

CSA Group

CSA Group consists of two organizations: Standards as well as Testing, Inspection, and Certification. CSA Group’s not-for-profit Standards organization enhances the lives of Canadians by advancing standards in the public and private sectors.

https://www.csagroup.org

Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI)

An independent health care research nonprofit organization, ECRI is dedicated to advancing evidence-based health care globally for the benefit of patients everywhere.

https://www.ecri.org

European Operating Room Nurses Association (EORNA)

A not-for-profit organization, EORNA enhances and develops perioperative patient care across Europe by promoting and maintaining a high standard of perioperative patient care; being the influential voice of perioperative nurses in Europe; and linking and collaborating with relevant European and international organizations.

https://eorna.eu/

European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP)

A nonprofit organization, the EPUAP leads and supports all European countries in the efforts to prevent and treat pressure ulcers.

https://www.epuap.org

Health Canada (HC)

A federal department and part of the federal health portfolio, Health Canada ensures that high-quality health services are accessible and works to reduce health risks.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html

Health Standards Organization (HSO)

A registered not-for-profit organization established in February 2017, HSO develops standards, assessment programs, and other tools.

https://healthstandards.org

Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC)

An independent, not-for-profit charity funded primarily by Health Canada, HEC works with partners to spread innovations, build capability, and catalyze policy changes so that everyone in Canada has safe and high-quality health care.

https://healthcareexcellence.ca/en/

Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)

A not-for-profit organization, HIROC is a health care safety advisor that offers a full spectrum of insurance products.

https://www.hiroc.com

Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)

A professional organization, HSPA provides sterile-processing professionals with educational opportunities, professional development, and certification.

https://myhspa.org

Héma-Québec

A nonprofit organization, Héma-Québec meets the needs of the Québec population for quality blood and other biological products of human origin.

https://www.hema-quebec.qc.ca/index.en.html

Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC Canada)

A multidisciplinary, professional organization, IPAC Canada provides communication and education for those involved in infection control activities, with the goals of preventing infections and improving both patient care and staff health in hospitals.

https://ipac-canada.org

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

A not-for-profit health care improvement organization, IHI provides millions of people in health care with methods, tools, and resources to make care better, safer, and more equitable; convenes experts to enable knowledge sharing and peer-learning; and advises health systems and hospitals of all sizes in improving their systems and outcomes at scale.

http://www.ihi.org

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)

An ECRI affiliate and nonprofit organization, ISMP is devoted to preventing medication errors.

https://www.ismp.org

Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada)

A national, independent, and not-for-profit organization, ISMP Canada advances medication safety in all health care settings.

https://ismpcanada.ca

International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN)

A global organization, IFPN is dedicated to actively promoting perioperative nursing.

https://www.ifpn.world/

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS)

A nonprofit organization, MHAUS promotes optimum care and scientific understanding of MH and related disorders.

https://www.mhaus.org

Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario (MDRAO)

A nonprofit organization, MDRAO promotes optimum standards of practice in hospital medical device reprocessing departments conducive to quality patient care as well as collects and disseminates information and current data on new and improved techniques and equipment in the medical device reprocessing department.

https://mdrao.ca

National Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses of Canada (NAPANc)

A charitable organization, NAPANc advances education for PeriAnesthesia nurses across Canada and develops the national certification examination for PeriAnesthesia nurses.

http://napanc.ca

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

A public body of the Department of Health and Social Care in England, NICE produces guidance for health and care practitioners and encourages the uptake of best practice to improve outcomes for everyone.

https://www.nice.org.uk

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

A division of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in the US, NIOSH is the federal institute responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh

National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP)

A not-for-profit professional organization, NPIAP increases awareness of pressure injury through education, research, public policy, clinical guidelines, and pressure injury prevention and treatment product standards.

https://npiap.com

Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC)

A national, not-for-profit organization, ORNAC is dedicated to the specialty of perioperative nursing.

http://www.ornac.ca

Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA)

An alliance of wound associations in the Pan Pacific region, PPPIA increases knowledge about pressure injuries through improved education and research in Pan Pacific countries.

https://pppia.org

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

A Government of Canada agency and part of the federal health portfolio, PHAC focuses on protecting against threats to public health; preventing and reducing diseases and injury; and promoting health, well-being, and equity.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html

World Health Organization (WHO)

A United Nations agency, WHO works globally to promote health, expand universal health coverage, and respond to emergencies.

https://www.who.int

Coming Up: Perioperative Nurses Week!

Get ready to celebrate Perioperative Nurses Week (PNW) from November 9-15, 2025! This year, we want your help in setting the tone for our celebrations by submitting a theme that truly captures the spirit of perioperative nursing.

We're looking for an inspiring, inclusive, and reflective theme that highlights the dedication, expertise, and care of perioperative nurses nationwide. The member whose theme is selected will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

How to Participate:
Step 1: Click on the Submission Form link
Step 2: Enter your theme idea.
Step 3: Submit your entry by September 28, 2025, midnight ET.

The winning theme will be announced on October 10, 2025.

But there's more! Following the theme announcement, we'll open a written Abstract Contest. The winner will receive 1 (one) free registration to the 30th ORNAC National Conference, April 21-25, 2027, in Halifax, NS, and their work will be showcased during PNW 2025. More details on the abstract submission contest will follow soon.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and commitment to perioperative nursing. We can't wait to celebrate with you and unveil the 2025 PNW theme!

Note: Contest is open to current ORNAC members. Please submit only one theme per member. If multiple themes are submitted, only the first submission will be considered.

Thank you for your participation and support!

Click HERE here for more details and learn how to apply

Today, we join perioperative professionals across Canada in recognizing Time Out Day—a vital reminder of the life-saving power of the surgical pause.

Before every procedure, the “time out” ensures the right patient, right procedure, and right site. It's a simple moment of shared accountability that strengthens communication and protects patient safety.

As perioperative nurses, we know: safety starts before the first incision.

Take a moment today to reflect on your role in this critical step—and celebrate your commitment to safe, excellent surgical care every day.

Announcing the 2025 ORNAC Awards & Bursary Recipients!

We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 ORNAC Awards and Bursaries! These honours recognize excellence, leadership, and commitment within the perioperative nursing community across Canada.

Please join us in congratulating the following individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to our profession.

These individuals embody the values of perioperative nursing through their innovation, mentorship, education, and dedication to patient care. Their achievements inspire all of us to continue growing, leading, and evolving our profession.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and applications this year. Your continued support helps us celebrate the excellence that exists throughout the ORNAC membership.

Congratulations once again to our 2025 recipients!

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Reminder: Register for ORNAC’s June 19th Webinar – "Raising our Voices: Naming Deferential Speech and Power Distance in the OR"

This is a friendly reminder to register for ORNAC’s upcoming national webinar, happening on:

Thursday, June 19, 2025
7:00 PM ET

We’re pleased to welcome Jennifer Dunn as our presenter, who will be speaking on: “Raising our Voices: Naming Deferential Speech and Power Distance in the OR"
An inspiring session on advocacy, leadership, and the power of speaking up in perioperative nursing.

Register now via Zoom
Registration closes on June 17th at 5:00 PM ET.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the link and details to join the session.

Please note: This webinar will be presented in English.

We look forward to seeing you there!

ORNAC’s next webinar is scheduled for Thursday, June 19th at 7pm ET!

We are pleased to have Jennifer Dunn present on “Raising our Voices: Naming Deferential Speech and Power Distance in the OR”

Please sign up using the Zoom registration HERE.

You will receive an email with a link and information about joining the webinar.

Registration deadline is June 17th at 5pm ET.

Please note that this webinar will be in English.

Thank you for joining us from May 21-25, 2025, in beautiful Calgary, Alberta, for an incredible event dedicated to advancing perioperative nursing!

These were some conference highlights:

Inspiring keynote speakers

Engaging educational sessions

Opportunities to network with leaders in perioperative nursing

Exhibits showcasing the latest innovations in the field

We look forward to seeing you next time!

The latest issue of the ORNAC Journal is now available!

Explore current articles, insights, and updates that matter to perioperative nurses across Canada. Stay informed, stay inspired, and stay connected with your professional community.

 Read the full issue here: https://ornacjournal.ca/index.php/ornac

COMPLETE A SURVEY TO FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A MACBOOK AIR!

The Intraoperative Behaviors Research Group (University of Fraser Valley and partners) invites you to participate in a 15-minute survey exploring disruptive behaviors in operating rooms. Disruptive behaviour ranges from mild incivility to serious abuse. It is important to study because it can undermine patient safety and clinician wellbeing.

Our previous research on this topic involved 7,500 clinicians across seven countries, generating multiple peer-reviewed publications with high Altmetric scores (top 3%). The current study aims to understand how institutional culture and working conditions contribute to these behaviors.

Survey participants can enter a draw to win a MacBook Air (valued at $1300 CAD). Estimatedwinning odds are approximately 1/1000.

To participate and view the consent information, visit:  Survey

Thank you for your valuable feedback.

Sincerely,

Alexander Villafranca, PhD (Primary Investigator)
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Fraser Valley
On behalf of the Intraoperative Behaviors Research Group

ORNAC’s next member's webinar is scheduled for Tuesday April 22nd 2025 at 7pm ET! We are pleased to have Dr. Stuart Wright present: Finding BALANCE: supporting children with autism spectrum disorder in the perioperative period. Please sign up using the Zoom registration sent to your email. After your membership has been confirmed, you will receive an email with a link and information about joining the webinar. It is important to log into your profile at ORNAC members to find your ORNAC membership number to complete the registration. Registration deadline is April 21, 2025 at 5 pm ET. Please note that this webinar will be in English.    

CNA certification is a nationally recognized nursing specialty credential for nurses. The CNA Certification Program consists of 22 nursing practice specialties, including Perioperative Nursing. Earning this credential shows your employer, peers and clients that you are a dedicated professional committed to lifelong learning, patient advocacy and professional practice. Certification is a great way to demonstrate your continuing competence in your nursing specialty. It can also help you fulfil some of the quality assurance program requirements of your employer and/or licensing body.

Visit https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/certification/about-certification to learn more.

ORNAC has partnered with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), to provide discounts on CNA membership and certification fees for our members in 2025! Members, check your member profile for discount codes.
 

ORNAC Certification Funding Opportunity – 2025

ORNAC is once again offering funding opportunities for members pursuing or renewing their Certified in Perioperative Nursing (C)anada-CPN(C) credential. A random draw of applicants will take place in December 2025.

Funding Details

Initial Exam
To support members with initial certification costs,, ORNAC will award $500 to two (2) ORNAC members who complete the initial exam in 2025.
 Application Deadline: December 13, 2025

 Renewal
Are you due for renewal this year? ORNAC will award $250 to two (2) ORNAC members who successfully renew their certification in 2025 (either by continuous learning or by exam).
Application Deadline: December 13, 2025

How to Apply
Complete the application form 2025 CPN (C) ORNAC Funding Application Form
Submit proof of certification results and receipt to info@ornac.ca.
Applicants must be ORNAC members at the time of the draw.

Introducing ORNAC's Membership Referral Rewards Campaign!

Campaign Period: March 10 - June 30, 2025

Help us grow our membership and earn rewards while you’re at it! 

Here’s how it works:

• Refer a new ORNAC member and receive a $20 Amazon gift card!
• Each referral enters you and the new member into a draw for a chance to win a customized ORNAC Yeti!  (Two Yetis will be given away — one for the referring member and one for the new member!)

How to Participate: Simply have the new member enter your name in the “Referred By” field on their registration form!

Important Notes:

• Applies to new members only.
• Referring members must be current ORNAC members.
• Gift cards emailed monthly based on referrals.
• Yeti draw in July 2025!

Don’t miss out — invite your perioperative colleagues to join ORNAC today!

For questions, reach out to us at info@ornac.ca.

2025 ORNAC Board of Directors Nominations – Now Open!

Are you passionate about perioperative nursing and ready to make an impact?  ORNAC is now accepting nominations for the 2025-2027 Board of Directors!

Serving on the ORNAC Board is a rewarding leadership opportunity where you can help shape the future of perioperative nursing in Canada.

Directors are elected to serve a two-year term and play a key role in advancing our profession.

 Why Apply?

  *Influence the direction of perioperative nursing*
 *Lead national initiatives and strategic projects*
  *Grow your leadership and professional network*

 Apply Today!

Take the next step in your leadership journey. Submit your nomination now!

 https://www.ornacmembers.ca/index.phtml

Exciting News from ORNAC!

We’re thrilled to announce that ORNAC membership is now open to perioperative LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) and RPNs (Registered Practical Nurses)!

This milestone reflects our dedication to inclusivity and the advancement of perioperative nursing, made possible through the approval of Bylaw No. 2 by our members in December!

Why join ORNAC?

Vote at AGMs and special meetings

Run for director positions

Participate on committees

And much more!

Discover all the benefits of being an ORNAC member: https://www.ornacmembers.ca/benefits.phtml

Let’s shape the future of perioperative nursing together!

Let’s celebrate PERIOPERATIVE NURSES 

2025 National Biennial ORNAC Conference 

Calgary, AB

May 21st  at the Opening Ceremony

Awards Categories:

•   Inaugural Chris Downey Rising Star Award

• Isabelle Adams Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing

• Muriel Shewchuk Leadership Award

• Gloria Stephens Award for Excellence as an Educator of Perioperative Nursing

• Lorne Flower Memorial Award

• ORNAC and Johnson & Johnson Medical Products Education Bursary

 

Nominate your colleagues today!

   Deadline for nominations is March 1, 2025

To learn more about each award go to Awards or email awards@ornac.ca

ORNAC’s next webinar is scheduled for Thursday, January 23rd 2025 at 7pm ET!

We are pleased to have Dr. Michael Dunbar present on “Robotics & AI; Preparing For and Embracing New Technologies in the OR.”

Members, check your emails for registration information.

2025 ORNAC Video Contest

The 2025 ORNAC video Contest is now open! This is your chance to showcase your creativity and passion for perioperative nursing!

Create and submit a video on what the 2024 Perioperative Nurses Week (PNW) theme means to you for a chance to win up to three (3) 2025 National Conference registrations! 

**Video contest is open to ORNAC Members & Associates

2024 Perioperative Nurses Week Theme:

"Empowering Teams, Enhancing Outcomes – Highlights the critical role perioperative nurses play in fostering teamwork and driving positive surgical outcomes"

Submission Guidelines:

• Length: Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes.

• Content: Videos should reflect your understanding of the theme.

• Submit: Send your video to info@ornac.ca. Please put Video Contest in the subject line.

• Deadline: All submissions must be received by March 1, 2025, 5pm EST

Prizes:

• The winning video will be featured at the 29th ORNAC National Conference in Calgary, AB, May 21st-25th, 2025!

• Complimentary conference registrations will be awarded to contributors. If a team submission has more than three (3) contributors, the team must allocate the complimentary registrations. All team members will be acknowledged.

• Prizes are non-transferable and will only be awarded to ORNAC members/associates who contributed to the submission.

• Contributors will be required to sign a media release form granting ORNAC permission to use, display, and share their submission for promotional and educational purposes.

Judging Criteria:

Your submissions will be judged by the ORNAC Standards Committee and the ORNAC Board of Directors based on the following criteria:

Relevance: The annual theme is highlighted with enthusiasm and passion.

Best Practices: The content reflects best practices and adheres to the ORNAC Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Registered Nurses (current edition).

Inspiration: The content inspires.

Communication: The topic is presented in a clear, concise, and confident manner.

Creativity: The video has creative elements.

Production: Video quality is clear, easily visualized, and the sound can be heard clearly.

We can’t wait to see your creativity and passion in action! Let’s celebrate the incredible contributions perioperative nurses make every day.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@ornac.ca

Good luck to all participants!

Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season

On behalf of the ORNAC Board of Directors, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season.

As we reflect on the past year, we are truly grateful for your unwavering support and dedication to ORNAC’s mission, vision and core values! Your engagement, feedback, and contributions have been instrumental in advancing perioperative nursing across Canada.

We hope this holiday season brings you moments of rest, joy, and celebration. Here’s to another year of collaboration and continued success together in 2025!

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Join us for Dr. Sean Christie's presentation on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room. November 26th 2024 at 7PM ET. Check you emails for details!

2024 Perioperative Nurses Week (PNW) November 10-16th!

Happy Perioperative Nurses Week (PNW) ! The ORNAC Board of Directors wishes to recognize all perioperative nurses across Canada for their essential role in ensuring patient safety and providing high-quality care each and every day! Keep an eye on your inbox and be sure to follow ORNAC on social media for updates! 

Download the PNW poster here: 2024 PNW Poster EN

This value letter was created to help departments understand the benefits of supporting their periopertaive nurses to attend the 2025 ORNAC Conference. Click here to access it: ORNAC Conference Website

Perioperative Nurses Week (PNW) is a time to celebrate and recognize the incredible contributions of perioperative nurses. The theme for this year is Empowering Teams, Enhancing Outcomes – Highlights the critical role perioperative nurses play in fostering teamwork and driving positive surgical outcomes. Continue to visit our website for contests, events and updates!

Call for Abstracts is OPEN for ORNAC’s 29th National Conference being held in Calgary, Alberta, May 21-25, 2025! The conference theme is Evolving our Profession: Ignited by Learning and Unlearning. This conference will explore the subthemes of Clinical Practice, Education & Professional Development, Research & Innovation, Leadership, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Interested in submitting an abstract? Click 2025 Conference for more details and the submission form. NEW Submission deadline: November 15, 2024, 12 midnight ET.

 

ORNAC’s 2024 Perioperative Nurses Week Written Contest is LIVE until October 27! What does this year's theme, "Empowering Teams, Enhancing Outcomes – Highlights the critical role perioperative nurses play in fostering teamwork and driving positive surgical outcomes" mean to you? We want to hear your ideas! Submit a 500-word max essay for a chance to win. Members & Associates check your emails for more details.

New webuinar!  October 17 at 7 pm ET. We are pleased to have Solventum presenting on "Optimizing Perioperative Normothermia: The Role of Temperature Monitoring in Enhancing Patient Recovery.” Members, please check your emails. Registration deadline is October 15 at 5 pm ET.  Please note that this webinar will be in English.

Perioperative Nurses Week (PNW) is a time to celebrate and recognize the incredible contributions of perioperative nurses. The theme for this week plays a significant role in setting the tone for celebrations, activities, and communications across the country. 

Help us decide the theme of this year’s Perioperative Nurses Week and be a part of something special! Submit your theme ideas by September 29th, 2024, Midnight ET for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Check your emails for instuctions.

ORNAC would like to send our deepest sympathies to the family of John Flower. John remained connected with ORNAC after the passing of his father Lorne Flower, who was "instrumental" in the initial start up of ORNAC when it was being formed in 1983. In 2003 John established the Lorne Flower Memorial Award. The award recognizes Lorne’s contributions to ORNAC as the first Chairman and his lengthy leadership of the National Exhibitors Association of Canada (NEAC) and is presented at the ORNAC National Conference. The award acknowledges a past or present ORNAC Board member who made an outstanding contribution to the Board and to perioperative nursing in Canada.

https://thewhig.remembering.ca/obituary/john-wilson-flower-1090248135

Thank you ORNAC members for attending ORNAC's 2024 Virtual Education Day & AGM! 

There were close to 160 participants in attendance for the Education Day. The day was filled with engaging speakers. Thank you to the conference committee for organizing a successful event!

Members can find the AGM recording through their profile.

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Congratulations to the  recipients of the 2024 Perioperative Educational Bursary provided by ORNAC and Johnson & Johnson Medical Products!

ORNAC’s next webinar is scheduled for April 18th, 2024 at 7pm EDT! We are pleased to have Dr. Joshua Hahn presenting “Back to Basics: Anesthesia in the Perioperative Environment.” Members, check your emails to register.

THANK YOU TO ALL DELEGATES AND SPONSORS OF OUR 2023 CONFERENCES! 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN CALGARY, AB IN 2025!!

WINNERS OF THE 2022 VIDEO CONTEST

Congratulations to RACHELLE LESY et al from Brandon, MB

Link to winning video (please note, not downloadable)

WINNER OF THE 2022 WRITTEN CONTEST

Congratulations to DAWN MLADEN from Binbrook, ON

Winning Essay

Congratulations to the 2023 Perioperative Nurses Week Written Contest Winners!

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed many historic challenges faced by nurses, including unsafe and untenable workloads, and was accompanied by an emerging urgency to confront and tackle injustices such as racism and discrimination within nursing and across health systems.

What has been your experience over the past few years? Complete this survey to help CNA examine the Canadian nursing landscape.

The survey represents an excellent opportunity for you to help shape the future of the nursing profession. The findings will help inform the development of strategies to address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including racial discrimination, and ultimately to improve patient outcomes.

Why was this survey created?

CNA has had a longstanding interest in the conditions of nurses’ practice settings, including the basic working conditions, professional practice issues, and inequities confronting nurses. This survey is the result of collaborative efforts in this area.

With an intent to make a difference in dismantling traditional equity barriers, CNA applied for, and was awarded, funding from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research to better understand the conditions of the regulated nurse workforce during and before COVID-19. The funding included surveying all regulated nurses across Canada to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of nursing services, and experiences of racial discrimination and other injustices in all the domains of nursing.

This is the first study of its kind to examine the pan-Canada landscape of nursing with particular attention to racial discrimination experiences by all regulated nurses.

We invite and encourage you and your colleagues to take the survey today. The findings will help inform our advocacy work and if we can recruit many nurses to participate, we will be able to create an historic document.

The survey takes roughly 45 minutes to complete. After you start the survey, you can stop and come back to it if needed.

CNA is working with Dzifa Dordunoo (University of Victoria), Josephine B. Etowa (University of Ottawa), and Lisa Bourque Bearskin (University of Victoria) on this survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact dzifa@uvic.ca.

This research has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Board at the Office of Research Services, University of Victoria. The research ethics protocol number is 22-0151.

Volunteers needed

Secondary Traumatic Stress, Job Satisfaction, Anxiety, Depression and Coping among Pediatric Perioperative Nurses: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Study investigator: Catherine Falvo, RN, Masters of Nursing student
Supervisor: Michelle Lobchuk, Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Email: michelle.lobchuk@umanitoba.ca

Study purpose
I am a Masters of Nursing student who is collecting online information about secondary traumatic stress, coping, job satisfaction, anxiety, and depression in pediatric perioperative nurses who have been exposed to traumatic events. With the assistance of the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC), I am recruiting interested nurses to participate in my study. It will take 20 minutes to complete six questionnaires.

You may qualify if you:

• are a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• provide direct patient care to pediatric patients aged 0 to 17 years
• work primarily in an operating room setting
• are able to speak, read and write in the English language; and,
• have been exposed over the past month to any or all the following traumatic events in your workplace, such as:
  • your direct exposure to a pediatric traumatic event,
  • you heard about a colleague’s exposure to a pediatric traumatic event,
  • your direct exposure to workplace bullying or violence, and
  • you heard about a colleague’s exposure to workplace bullying or violence.

Participation is completely voluntary. If you decide to participate, you will be offered a $20 Amazon gift card. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Catherine Falvo, urbanikc@myumanitoba.ca

This research has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus.

2024 Virtual Education Day

May 11th, 9:15am - 4:15pm EDT

The 2024 ORNAC Virtual Education day is open for registration for ORNAC members!

For details of the event, view the poster.

Not a member? Join ORNAC today!

Membership expired? Renew!

If you wish to update your profile, get your tax receipts, and/or use the member discount codes, log in to you Member Profile via the Member Log In (top right hand corner)  or through www.ornacmembers.ca . Click on  Update.

As always, should you experience any issues, please contact us at info@ornac.ca

Membership in ORNAC automatically makes you a member of your Provincial Council, with a portion of your registration fee ($30.00) being returned to your council** to help support local and provincial initiatives. 

To JOIN as NEW MEMBER  or NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER (Retired RN, LPN/RPN, Healthcare Associate) or to RENEW/UPDATE your membership:

Click on the Member Log In (top right hand corner of the site). You should be taken to a new page with the address https://ornacmembers.ca  

• Renewing members enter your Username and Password 
• New members will complete the 4 pages for registration and follow the prompts for username and password creation.

**IMPORTANT:  Please pay special attention to the Province, Region and Membership Type fields and REVIEW prior to SUBMITTING  asyour Provincial Council depends on your chosing the correct region for per capita funding.

As always if you experience any difficulties in logging in, have any questions re: joining or renewing, or for  general assistance, please contact: info@ornac.ca

ORNAC is pleased to announce that Kara Gillies has accepted the position of Executive Director!

Kara has over 20 years of experience as an Executive Director in a variety of healthcare related settings!

Kara's expertise in working with not-for-profit groups will be an asset for ORNAC! Welcome Kara

ORNAC is seeking reviewers for the 2025 ORNAC standards- 17th edition!

Call for Reviewers (click here)