12
STRENGTHENING NURSES’ VOICE
Improved professional responsibility process now available to all nurses, promises access to key decision makers and provides innovative twopronged approach for resolving PRFs
B
UILDING ON PREVIOUS GROUND-BREAKING CONTRACT language, BCNU has again negotiated a series of improvements to Article 59, the Professional Responsibility Clause. The proposed language will improve accountability and cooperation, and help nurses take their concerns to key decision makers through the newlyformed Nursing Policy Secretariat (NPS) and Nurse Staffing Secretariat (NSS). A new, two-pronged process will enable binding resolutions. PRFs that focus on staffing issues will now be referred to the Nurse Relations Committee (NRC) and, if necessary, the NSS, and on to arbitration if still not settled. Unresolved PRF issues not focused on staffing go to the Senior Review Committee (SRC) and, if required, to a health authority CEO and then the NPS. Two major gains are included in the proposed contract. Firstly, LPNs will now use the same Professional Responsibility Process (PRP) as RNs and RPNs. Secondly, nurses working in affiliates can now also take PRFs forward to the NPS if they remain unresolved after their employer’s board of directors has reviewed them. To enhance common understanding of the process, both BCNU and the employer will agree to deliver PRP education – to members and management – based on an agreed-
May 2016_Special Issue_final.indd 12
upon curriculum and co-facilitated by both parties. Standing members of the Professional Responsibility Committee (PRC) can now request and be provided access to documents and data needed to reach a satisfactory resolution. Also, every effort will be made to schedule members’ attendance at the PRC on a scheduled shift. If that’s impossible, members will be compensated at straight time. PRC members can now limit the number of attendees at a reasonable level – but the PRF authors will decide who will attend and speak for them. The PRC will also identify a time frame for reviewing the action items. If progress isn’t being made, the SRC may refer the matter to the NPS. Either party must notify the appropriate health authority CEO of their intent to make a referral. Within 14 days of receiving notification, the CEO will acknowledge receipt and communicate any resolution to the parties. If the SRC can’t make a unanimous recommendation, a written report outlining its findings will be issued to BCNU and the health authorities. Either party can then refer the matter to the NPS. Another important change concerns contract language that gives nurses the authority to call in additional staff when management isn’t available. The language has been moved, unaltered, from Article 59.08 to Appendix QQ – Additional Patient Demand. update
Conversation with manager
File PRF
PRC
OTHER ISSUES
TWO PRONGS An improved PRF process will allow PRFs that be referred to a Nursing Relations Committee (NRC) and, if ne Staffing Secretariat (NSS), and on to arbitration if still not sett
4/25/2016 11:49:21 AM