Mission
To illuminate the link between the environment and health, and to promote healthy sustainable environments through nursing leadership.
Cost of Interest Group: $20 for RN/NP and FREE for student members of RNAO 2024-2025 membership year!
ONEIG represents RNs in Ontario who wish to work together, towards improving environmental health. Our objectives include engaging, educating (in the most broad sense) and empowering RNs to take actions as individuals, partners, and in communities, with ongoing support from membership in ONEIG.
Environmental health issues are ecological and global. Nurses in Ontario must organize together as a group, to have a more effective venue with which to participate and influence all levels of government, including nationally and internationally.
Environmental health may not be a part of the RN’s job description, or outlined in the duties and responsibilities for employment. Incorporation of environmental health issues into the nursing scope of practice is an emerging issue. RNs would benefit from having a forum for open discussion, and debate, to better understand the opportunities for environmental health in the delivery of nursing interventions.
Hands off the Greenbelt
In fall 2022, ONEIG and RNAO staff worked together to respond to bill 23, guided by evidence presented by experts in housing, environment, and planning. We put together an Action Alert asking the government to keep 'Hands Off the Greenbelt" and withdraw/repeal bill 23 and submitted an official response to the committee responsible for public consultation. The ONEIG executive and members have continued to advocate through multiple channels and partnerships.