AARN creates new regional structure

Regions designed to improve member communications and involvement

After months of consultation and discussion, the AARN Provincial Council voted in June to accept a new regional structure to take effect Oct. 1, 1999.

The new regional structure, which replaces the former district structure, has been created to accomplish the following goals:

increase personal points of contact and opportunities for member participation

improve two-way communication between the AARN and members and help implement AARN communication strategies

mobilize RN's influence on provincial health policies

raise the public profile of the AARN and enhance the nursing profession

improve service to members

recognize members' expertise and efforts to enhance the nursing profession

AARN regions

The six new regions have been designed to accommodate the following factors:

regional health authority boundaries

current lines of communication and transportation routes

number of RNs to be served

geographical centres where nurses work

money previously dedicated to the district structure

The AARN regional map, shown here, indicates where the six AARN regions are and how they relate to the 17 Alberta regional health authorities (RHAs).

AARN Regions

South Region

RHAs 1 & 2 (1,857 RNs)

Calgary/West Region

RHAs 3 & 4 (7,922 RNs)

Central Region

RHAs 5, 6 & 7 (2,435 RNs)

Edmonton/West Region

RHAs 8, 9 & 10 (7,802 RNs)

Northeast Region

RHAs 11, 12 & 16 (1,391 RNs)

Northwest Region

RHAs 13, 14, 15 & 17 (906 RNs)

Regional co-ordinator staff

The regional structure will also employ up to nine regional co-ordinators who will serve the RN members in their respective regions. The co-ordinators, all paid staff who report to the AARN Provincial Office, will establish, interact with and support a region-wide network of volunteer members, maintain communication with the regional membership and act as an information resource and link. Another role for the regional co-ordinator will be to promote an understanding of the contribution of the nursing profession and the role of the AARN. They may provide selected AARN services at the local and regional level, such as workshops on nursing practice standards and continuing competence. The co-ordinators will also organize activities such as regional Nursing Week celebrations, member recognition events and political action projects.

A key volunteer position will be the AARN member liaison, an individual who acts as an AARN information resource within specific settings and naturally-occurring groups of nurses.

The AARN is currently accepting applications for regional co-ordinator positions and hopes to have all co-coordinator hired by Oct. 1, 1999 (please see the advertisement for this position on page 22).

Copyright Alberta Association of Registered Nurses Jul/Aug 1999
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