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In June 2008, CFPNA became the 40th emerging nursing group of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). Recognition as an emerging group was the first formal step in the process required to develop a national certification program for family practice/primary health care nurses in Canada.
The following higlights the history of events that lead to the development of the CFPNA:
- 1982, Terry O-Neil, RN, practiced in London, Ontario at the Family Medical Centre of St.Jospeh's Hospital. Terry had a vision to form the Ontario Family Practice Nursing Group (OFPN).
- June 1982, Terry O'Neil with a dedicated group of nurses from London, Ont. organized the first family practice nursing conference "Current Trends and Future Goals". The conference was a success and group consesus was to continue to hold an event every two years.
- OFPN became a well established group with membership expanding to include a small number of nurses from outside of Ontario as well.
- June 2006, an open forum held with Dr. Louise Nasmith and participants at the OFPN conference in Toronto, sparked the movement to establish a national organization for family practice nurses.
- Dr. Nasmith published an article "Family practice nurses: Unsung heros", in support of the integral role family practice nurses have in providing primary care services to patients/families.
- October 2007, family practice nurses showcased their role at the Family Medicine Forum (FMF), held in Winnipeg. A social evening at the event once again engaged nurses and a decision was made to from a national group.
- October 2007, CFPC & CNA released a joint vision-statement on inter-professional care
- June 2007, Family Practice Nurses Association of Nova Scotia was formed, Carol Todd, RN elected president.
- June 2008, an open forum was once again held at the OFPN conference. Participants voted on a name for the national group and elected thier executive: Ann Alsaffar, President (Ontario), Patsy Smith, Vice-President (Nova Scotia), Carol Todd, Secretary (Nova Scotia), Annie Dickson, Treasurer (Ontario), Michelle Allard, Membership (Manitoba), April Frego, Education (Manitoba), Marilyn Howlett, Public Relations (Alberta).
- June 2008, CFPNA officially recognized as an emerging group by the CNA.
- July 2008, first teleconference meeting for the CFPNA executive.
- September, 2009, Manitoba Primary Care Nurses Association was formed, co-chairs, April Frego, RN, CDE and Michelle Allard, RN, BN.
- January 2010, CFPNA recognized as an associate group by the CNA.
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