The College Connection Podcast

Social media is prevalent in today’s society and can be an exciting and valuable tool when used wisely. In availing of the opportunities social media provides, RNs and NPs are required to adhere to standards related to communication, professionalism, and the code of ethics regardless of whether social media use is of a personal or professional nature. Maintaining privacy, confidentiality, therapeutic relationships, professional boundaries, and public trust are required of the RN and NP and may be at risk where social media is in use. Our Director of Professional Conduct Review, Brenda Carroll, joins the College Consultants to answer common questions and highlights some key considerations for RNs and NPs to think about when engaging with social media platforms.

The RN Act defines “conduct deserving of sanction” to include:Professional misconductProfessional incompetenceConduct unbecoming a Registered NurseIncapacityUnfitness to engage in the practice of nursingActing in breach of the Act, the Regulations, or the Code of EthicsThe spectrum of what the term encompasses is wide-ranging and covers many different scenarios, all which are dependent on the Conduct in question. From a minor infraction to the most serious situation, Kelly Kean and Michelle Carpenter speak with Director of Professional Conduct Review, Brenda Carroll about what Conduct Deserving of Sanction really means.

In the second part of our conversation with the Information & Privacy Commissioner, a wide range of topics are covered from RNs/NPs using smartphones and recording devices in practice, the ransomware attack on Newfoundland and Labrador’s public health system, obligations for self-employed RNs/NPs, aspects to consider when RNs/NPs engage in virtual care, and a number of situations which outline the principles of privacy and professionalism. Join Consultants and Podcast hosts, Michelle Carpenter and Kelley Kean for this episode of the podcast: Professionalism, Privacy, & Confidentiality …A Conversation with the Commissioner. Postproduction note: this episode of the College Connection was recorded on March 23, 2024. On April 11th it was announced that Mr. Harvey would be resigning from his position as Information and Privacy Commissioner in Newfoundland and Labrador after having accepted the position of Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia. To learn more about the OIPC visit https://www.oipc.nl.ca/ The PHIA toolkit discussed in this episode can be found here https://www.oipc.nl.ca/files/PHIAToolkitSmallCustodians.pdf

All RNs and NPs are responsible to act when they witness unsafe and unethical situations that adversely impact the quality of client care. Questions often arise from RNs & NPs about their Duty to Report and when to contact the College. Our Director of Professional Conduct Review Brenda Carroll joins the College Consultants to answer common questions regarding Duty to Report and much more. For more information on the Duty to Report, click HERE

In episode 2, Podcast hosts (and College Consultants) Michelle Carpenter and Kelly Kean speak with special guest, Michael Harvey, Information & Privacy Commissioner Newfoundland and Labrador for an in-depth discussion about patient privacy and confidentiality. This episode highlights information which RNs and NPs should know about the PHIA (Personal Health Information Act) and includes answers to common questions about health information and privacy. Post production note: this episode of the College Connection was recorded on March 23, 2024. On April 11th it was announced that Mr. Harvey would be resigning from his position as Information and Privacy Commissioner in Newfoundland and Labrador after having accepted the position of Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia. To learn more about the OIPC click here.  

The final episode of 2023 will provide RNs and NPs in NL with an overview of how Alinity works for annual licensing renewal, logging your CCP, and why it’s important to keep your profile up to date. Please note for video demonstrations it it may be helpful to visit the College Website or visit our YouTube Channel .

Dr. Robin Devey-Burry, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador joins Kelly and Michelle and provides an overview of an on-going research study focused on new graduate nurses’ mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and the supportive resources they require.

This podcast/education event will provide listeners with an overview of the process that occurs when the College receives an allegation related to a registrant’s practice or conduct that is alleged to be unacceptable and deserving of sanction. The Director of Professional Conduct Review (PCR) will discuss the College’s authorization, in the interest of public protection, to intervene when practice is unacceptable and the responsibilities of RNs and NPs to report professional misconduct to the College.Guest: Brenda Carroll, Director of Professional Conduct Review at the College of RNs