www.gnaontario.org

 The Gerontological Nursing Association
Ontario serves a membership of over 1800
Gerontological Nurses in 11 chapters spanning the province of Ontario.
 Our Mission - To make a positive difference in the lives of older people and the nurses who care for them.

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 each older person is unique the ability to function and maintain independence and mastery is essential for older persons sustaining relationships facilitates older persons in coping with health care experiences
Gerontological nursing practice is derived from a specific and evolving body of knowledge
As gerontological nurses we must advocate on behalf of the older adult

What is Gerontological Nursing?

It is about caring
 We provide creative, compassionate and individualized care
 We incorporate the concepts of prevention, rehabilitation and palliation

It is about Quality of Life
 In the community, in hospitals, in long term care
 We promote optimal health in older persons

It is about recognizing that each older person is unique
 Each has values, goals, strengths, limitations, rights and responsibilities
 Each older person influences, and is influenced by societal attitudes, culture, spiritual beliefs and the environment

It is about maximizing independence
 We identify strengths, and work to enhance and maintain these
 We identify limitations and provide support as needed

It is about being person-centred
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We promote mutual goal setting and decision making among older persons, family and nurse
We encourage and provide opportunity for the older person to exercise rights and responsibilities

It is about respect and dignity
 We respect the older person’s need for dignity and privacy

 The GNA was established in 1974 in Toronto
 Incorporated in 1979 - non-profit association
 Governed by our by-laws and board policies
 We are an affiliate group with the RNAO
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We are an interest group with the RPNAO
Our membership is comprised of RN’s, RPN’s and associate members (students & PSW’s)
 Our members work in acute care, LTC, community, psychogeriatrics, academia

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Provincial Board – president, presidentelect, past-president, secretary, treasurer, membership chair, professional advocacy chair, all chapter presidents
Local Chapters - 11 across the province – all with an executive
 Hold regular meetings and educational events
 In addition, the annual conference is hosted by chapters on a rotational basis.

GNAO and CGNA
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Effective the 2011-2012 GNA
Ontario will form a con-joint relationship with the Canadian
Gerontological Nursing
Association (CGNA)
The voices of Ontario’s gerontological nurses will now be recognized provincially, nationally and internationally.
CGNA www.cgna.net

 Annual conference
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Education and research funding grants
Standards – statement of philosophy - 6 core standards – reviewed every 5 years
 Support nurses in achieving their GNC(C)
 Advocacy - involvement with government, community & partnerships with other nursing associations

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The peer-reviewed journal of the
Canadian Gerontological
Nursing Association (CGNA)
Published online four times a year and available to all GNAO members
Issues that focus on topics identified as key to gerontological nursing practice
We encourage our members to take an active part in submitting items for publication.

Gerontological Nursing
The Essence of Nursing