I Dare You to Drink the Vinegar

The past 18 months has forced Canadians to navigate a health crisis unlike any most have seen in their lifetime. COVID-19 has challenged people around the world to change the way they live their lives to curb the spread of a deadly virus. Canadians were challenged to work together, and they did. In the fight against COVID-19 many gaps in the healthcare and social welfare system we illuminated. The more than  50 000 nurses  in BC are front and  centre  in this fight.  Erosion of nurse jobs is not a new phenomenon . For decades  public trust and value of nurses has been high , while funding cuts risk safe workplaces, adequate training, and support for competent practice within  nurses'  full scope.    A year ago, amidst lockdowns, and bombardment of new information about illness and death rates, the public was unsure and afraid of what the future would hold.  The collective health of the nation was in flux, and a collective voice stoo...

I have been a Registered Nurse for more than a decade (since 2008 to be precise). One of the ongoing challenges that I have experienced is the nursing shortage. What does this mean? In supply and demand terminology it means that the supply of Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses (in provinces that have them), and Licensed Practical Nurses (or Registered Practical Nurses if you live in Ontario) is less than the number of positions that are needed. In practical terms, this means there are not enough nurses to provide the care needed for all people in Canada utilizing the healthcare system. Only recently have I learned that the nursing shortage is not unique to the 21st century, and it is a global issue. This is clearly a huge issue. Let's take a little journey to think through this issue with a focus on Registered Nurses in Canada.   A Short Exercise in Thinking Through the Issue Background and Overview  There is a critical shortage of many health care prof...

I hadn't talked to anyone outside of work in four days. Going out last night was a strenuous task. The idea of leaving my apartment and meeting new people, hanging out with a friend from my Margaret House days seemed like a well-conceived plan but it didn't translate well into practice.  I'm not sure why but lately I find myself not having the energy to make new social relationships. This lack of interest in being social combined with hanging out with three people slightly my junior in different places in their lives boozing while I remained sober proved an unpleasant combination. I found myself being increasingly irritating by being told that I am incredibly fascinating because I: "don't emote". What the fuck does that mean anyway? That's not a compliment. Well, I'll fucking tell you right now: To express emotion, especially in an excessive or theatrical manner. That's not a fucking compliment...Especially when this is followed up with, "You ...