Monday, June 21, 2010

Hi All
The next northern regional education meeting is on July 17th at Grace Hospital (see the flyer on the education section of the web page). This will be followed by the AGM. Just to remind you that we have two out going Officers myself as President and Sheree Gare as Treasurer. If you know of any heart soul that may be willing to take on one of these roles and/or you will consider it but want to know more please just give me a call.

Congratulations to Bev Hopper from North Shore Hospital who was the successful candidate for NZONA's representative on 'Team Cambodia 2010'. We wish her all the best on this exciting and challenging adventure. Watch this space I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from Bev.

Hope to see many of you on the 17th. Stay warm.
Regards Teena
NZONA President

Friday, May 14, 2010

Hi NZONA Members
The date for the Tauranga study day has been moved to July to allow for the AGM to follow after the session. Sorry for the inconvenience. I will let you know the date as soon as it is confirmed.
Regards Teena
NZONA President

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hi All
Early notice about the about the up and comming study days so you can get your leave applications in. The flyers with the mornings progammes will be posted on the web page soon.
Dunedin
29th May 2010 at the Hunter Centre
Topic :Upper Limb Injuries
Tauranga
26th June 2010 at Grace Hospital
Topic: To be announced

NB: The NZONA AGM will follow on from the Tauranga meeting on the 26th June. The AGM includes the election of members to Office. Are you a motivated person who is passionate about orthopaedics or know of someone who is, please give some serious thought to nomonation. We need a new President and Treasurer this year.
Regards Teena Robinson

Monday, January 11, 2010

Partner to build the future of nursing in Cambodia.

Cambodia is a country in South-east Asia that has endured much with corrupt political regimes in the past. Nursing has not developed the way it has in Western nations. Orthopaedic nursing in Cambodia centres mostly on trauma and related issues, with little done in the way of elective procedures.
Recently Kim Brooks was able to visit Sihanouk Hospital of HOPE in Phnom Penh. This hospital has a vision: to be part of the solution. Despite the work of the last ten years, there is still much to be done. The hospital is eager to establish a partnership with us in order to expand and build up nursing as a profession, including their own body of knowledge, skills and profile. The opportunities to assist are many.
It has been proposed the NZONA agree to establish a partnership with Sihanouk Hospital, to provide international links, help establish quality initiatives, identify and establish leadership among the nurses at the hospital, provide clinical leadership in the areas of orthopaedics, wound care and other areas on nursing expertise.
The NZONA membership are being asked to comment on this issue, especially whether we should sponsor a nurse to go with the next team in 2010 and be part of this development. The successful applicant would have the opportunity to travel to Cambodia to meet with the staff and to establish professional links that could be continued through e-mail links and other forms as the development progresses.
We would be grateful if you could post a blogg response or email us with your comments on this possible project ( email address on the web page). The association is hoping to make a decision on this by the end of February.
Thank you to those members who have already given feedback. I look forward to members comments.
Regards Teena Robinson
NZONA President

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Education Mornings

Hi All
There are two education mornings comming up. Both on the 28th of November. One in Rotorua and the other in Dunedin. So put them in your diary and watch out for the flyer that will be posted soon. Remember continuing education hours will be awarded!
Happy learning.
Teena

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Well a lot has changed in the world since I wrote my last blog with the question when to stay at home with a winter cold and when not to? H1N1 Flu has added to the debate and changed the rules some what. Tell me what is happening in your area.
Regards Teena

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Should I stay home from work today with a cold?

Here I am nose dripping, eyes streaming, head pounding and a sneeze that renews my commitment to pelvic floor exercises. If I stay at home today I know my colleagues will have a hard day ahead covering for me. Clinics are packed and the ward busy. They may or may not find another nurse to come in. However, if I go to work with my contagious rhinovirus I may infect my patients, those on the surgical ward and those at pre admit clinic with surgery scheduled in the next week or so. I may generously give this nasty little virus to my colleague causing a run of sick calls over the next week. It is truly a dilemma. What do all good nurses when they are faced with a dilemma? I Googled it. Not that I found a definitive answer as to ‘should I go or should I stay’, but I did find out some interesting facts from a web page http://www.commoncold.org/

Most common virus is the rhinovirus
Symptoms can develop 10 to 12 hours after exposure
Symptoms peak at 36 to 72 hours
One is most contagious in the first 3 days
The virus is transferred via droplets, skin and contaminated objects and surfaces.

Do you have a policy or guideline in your area to help you make that judgement call? Or do you have an understood culture that determines what the expected action is? I would love to have your comments as we head into another season of the common cold.

Teena Robinson