Professional Responsibility Process Redesigned
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in the 2019 – 2022 Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) contract outlines an alternative process to address professional practice problems. Although the professional responsibility (PR) process was restructured under Article 59 of the previous contract, it was clear that a new process needed to be developed to separate staffing concerns from professional practice concerns.
The new process focuses on practice problems related to Nursing Standards of Practice and intends to solve practice issues collaboratively at the local level.
As per the MOA, BCNU has already undertaken a great deal of work towards developing a new PR process including:
- a review of all PR forms filed between December 1, 2017 and April1, 2019 to identify those related to practice problems and preparing reports specific to health authorities
- a review of all outstanding PR forms with regional PR Advocates; scheduling one-on-one calls with members, as necessary
- progress made on the Senior Review Committee's expedited files
- hosting a provincial PR Advocate Day
In the months ahead, the PR Working Group—comprised of representatives from the union and the employer—will meet to start work on a new PR form, joint guidelines and education, and a communication plan to inform members of the new process.
Until the new PR process is complete and the joint education and resources have been developed, members are to follow the process outlined in the Professional Responsibility MOA and use the current PR form, as required.
BCNU will continue to communicate regularly with regional PR Advocates as to the process and joint education.
Members will be kept informed of updates to this process and other developments related to contract implementation through member bulletins and eNews, sent via email to their personal address.
For further questions, contact your regional PR Advocate or email prp@bcnu.org.