About YRNA

The work of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association is carried out by a Board of Directors, seven standing Committees, and a small part time staff. We are supported by many member volunteers.

YRNA receives its mandate from the Registered Nurses Profession Act, (S.Y. 1992) and the Regulations and Bylaws passed pursuant to the Act. The staff, along with the Board of Directors and Committees, use a Business Plan to guide their work and advance the Vision and Missions and Core Values of YRNA.


Vision, Mission Statements and Core Values

Vision Statement

Registered Nurses of Yukon promote a healthy Yukon community through caring, leadership and the advancement of nursing excellence.

Mission Statement

As a self-regulating profession, registered nurses of Yukon collectively and as individuals protect the public interest by:

  • advancing nursing excellence
  • providing leadership
  • participating in the development of healthy public policy
  • providing information on roles and responsibilities to the public and to colleagues

Core Values

    Trust

    		 We value the trust of patients, colleagues and others. We accept that trust must be earned and maintained by being competent and reliable and by practicing ethically.
    Integrity We demonstrate our integrity by being honest and forthright in our dealings with others and accountable for our actions.
    Caring We strive to be caring and connected with our clients, colleagues and others, as well as ourselves.
    Respect We choose to respect others, the diversity of their beliefs and cultures, and demonstrate that through our actions and behavior.
    Collaboration We acknowledge the need to work with others to achieve shared goals.
    Professionalism We bring knowledge, skills, judgment and grace to our practice. 

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Board of Directors

The YRNA Board of Directors consists of 7 RN members as well as a Public Representative. The Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the Board. The Board holds regular monthly meetings. The Annual General Meeting of the association is held in Whitehorse in the spring.

Each position on the YRNA Board has a 2 year term, renewable for a second term, with the exception of the President-elect which is a 1 year position leading into a 2 year term as President followed by a 1 year term as Past President.

    Board Members for 2011-2012
    President Peggy Heynen, RN
    Present-ElectSean Secord, RN
    Treasurer Donna Rowland, RN
    Secretary Sue Starks, RN
    Member-at-Large Susanne Nageli, RN
    Member-at-Large Rachel Burkhart, RN
    Member-at-Large Vacant
    Public Representative Sylvia Riessner

Click here pdf.gif for a Board nomination form.

Board Responsibilities

The Board of Directors shall carry out the following items. The duties of the Board are outlined in more detail in section 7 of the Bylawspdf.gif of the Association.

  1. establish the goals, objectives and policies of the Association;
  2. approve the appropriation, investment and disbursement of the funds of the Association including the annual budget;
  3. prepare and submit to each annual meeting of the Association a financial statement of the operations of the Association for the past year;
  4. appoint the Executive Director/Registrar of the Association and authorize the appointment of such additional employees as the Board may consider necessary for the conduct the business of the Association, and prescribe the duties of such employees;
  5. generally direct and conduct the business and affairs of the Association;
  6. perform all duties as set out in the Act, By-laws, and Regulations.
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Committees

YRNA has 8 standing committees:

  • Registration Committee
  • Nursing Practice Committee
  • Education Approval Committee
  • Complaints Committee
  • Discipline Committee
  • Nominations Committee
  • Education Fund Management Committee
  • Nurse Practitioner Advisory Committee

Six of these committees derive their mandate from the Bylaws of the Association. The creation of a new Education Fund Management committee was authorized by Board resolution in January 2003. Part 8 of the Bylaws gives direction to the first six of these committees as do the Terms of Reference established by the committees themselves.


Registration Committee

Registration Committee Mandate:  The Registration Committee derives its mandate from the Yukon Registered Nurses Profession Act , the Yukon Registered Nurses Association Regulations and the direction of the Board.The mandate of the Registration Committee is to develop policies and procedures necessary for registration of nurses in Yukon; to make appropriate recommendations to the Board; to submit a written report before Board meetings; and to submit an annual report for publication.

Composition:  The membership of the registration and membership committee shall be three members appointed for two year terms, renewable at the Boards discretion. The registrar shall be a member in a non-voting capacity.

Terms of Reference:  The terms of reference for the Registration Committee shall be in accordance with the Act and shall be to make recommendations to the Board with respect to:

  1. management of examinations;
  2. requirements for registration and membership.


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Nursing Practice Committee

Nursing Practice Committee Composition:  The membership of the Nursing Practice Committee shall be five members from a variety of practice areas.

The Chairperson is an elected member of the Board of YRNA and serves for a two year term.

Standing committee members will be appointed for two year terms. An effort will be made to stagger the appointments of new members in order to provide continuity.

Individuals with knowledge and expertise in related practice areas will be invited to join the Nursing Practice Committee as needed for the duration of a specific project or initiative.

Meetings will be held at least 4 times each year at the call of the Chair.

Terms of Reference:  The Nursing Practice Committee will:

  1. Recommend standards of nursing practice for approval by the Board and review these standards every 5 years or more often as directed by the Board.
  2. Provide a report to the Annual General Meeting on committee activities and national trends in nursing.
  3. Serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of YRNA and YRNA members in matters related to nursing practice as deemed necessary or as requested by the Board or members.
  4. Serve in an advisory capacity to the Executive Director on specific regional issues on an ad hoc basis and nursing practice issues arising at a national level.
  5. Make recommendations to the Board on nursing practice issues affecting Yukon nurses.

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Education Approval Committee

In the case of a nursing program being offered in the Yukon, the Education Approval Committee would be involved in developing standards, criteria and procedures for the approval of such program. This committee is inactive at this time.


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Complaints Committee

Complaints Committee Mandate:  The Complaints Committee derives its mandate from the Yukon Registered Nurses Profession Act, the Yukon Registered Nurses Association Regulations, the Bylaws of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association, and the direction of the Board. The mandate of the Complaints Committee is to recommend policies and procedures governing the work of the committee; to review appeals and to make decisions; and to investigate complaints. The committee will submit a written report one month before the annual meeting and as necessary before Board meetings and will submit an annual report for publication.

Complaints Committee Composition:  The membership of the complaints committee shall be two registered nurse members and a public representative appointed by the Board for two year terms, renewable at the Boards discretion. The Board shall identify the Chairperson.

Terms of Reference:   The terms of reference for the Complaints Committee shall be in accordance with the Act and shall be to:

  1. recommend policies and procedures governing the work of the committee;
  2. review appeals under Section 12 of the Act and make a decision to:
    1. approve the appeal applicant for registration, or
    2. refuse the appeal, or
    3. approve a temporary permit with or without conditions.
  3. investigate complaints.

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Discipline Committee

Discipline Committee Mandate:  The Discipline Committee derives its mandate from the Yukon Registered Nurses Profession Act , the Yukon Registered Nurses Association Regulations , the Bylaws of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association, and the direction of the Board. The mandate of the Discipline Committee is to recommend policies and procedures governing the work of the committee; to hold all hearings in Whitehorse unless otherwise authorized by the Board; to maintain confidentiality; and to submit an annual report to the Board for publication.

Discipline Committee Composition:  The membership of the discipline committee shall be three persons, at least two of whom must be registered nurses, appointed by the Board for two year terms, renewable at the Boards discretion. The Board shall identify the Chairperson.

Terms of Reference:   The terms of reference for the Discipline Committee shall be in accordance with the Act and shall be to:

  1. recommend policies and procedures concerning the work of the committee;
  2. prepare for the Board an annual summary of the activities of the committee;
  3. hold all hearings in Whitehorse unless otherwise authorized by the Board;
  4. hold in confidence all sessions, documentation, and information received.

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Nominations Committee

Nominations Committee Mandate:  The Nominations Committee is a standing committee which derives its mandate from the Yukon Registered Nurses Profession Act , the Yukon Registered Nurses Association Regulations , the Bylaws of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association, and the direction of the Board. The committee will file with the Board a report of the nominations committee and the ballot for officers of the Association by February 15.

Nominations Committee Composition:  The Nominations Committee shall be two registered nurse members appointed for a one year term at the Annual General Meeting. The board shall identify the chairperson.

Terms of Reference:  (The following is an expansion of information in the YRNA Bylaws, Part 5.) The duties of the Nominations Committee shall be to:

  1. be informed of the date of the Annual General Meeting prior to the call for nominations;
  2. call for nominations by December 31 of each year;
  3. receive nominations for:
    1. president-elect, secretary, member-at-large outside of Whitehorse in odd numbered years;
    2. vice-president, treasurer, nursing practice chairperson, and member-at-large, Whitehorse in even numbered years;
  4. receive written nominations by February 1st of each year;
  5. check that each nomination includes the signature of the nominator and a written acknowledgment by the nominee that she/he is prepared to accept the nomination;
  6. prepare the ballot of officers with the list of nominees arranged in alphabetical order under the name of Board position sought;
  7. deliver the ballot of officers to the Board by February 15th so that it can be circulated to the membership at least 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

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Education Fund Management Committee

Mandate and Composition:  The Education Fund Management Committee functions as an arm of the Board of Directors of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association, and will take direction from the Board when required. The Committee will be comprised of members of the Association, and may at a later date include others to provide public input or additional expertise as deemed desirable. The addition of such members remains at the discretion of the Board, who will consider advice of the committee in this decision. Committee appointments will be for a two year term which may be renewed.

Terms of Reference: The committee will be responsible for the following:

  1. Administration of the three funds managed by YRNA under contribution agreements with the Yukon Territorial Government: the Continuing Nurse Education Fund, the Nursing Specialty Education Fund and the Nurse Refresher Fund.
  2. Development and regular revision of the priorities and policies that govern fund management.
  3. Development and revision as needed of the criteria for funding approval and disbursal of fund monies to applicants.
  4. Review and approval of forms for application, guidelines, and information to members, as prepared by YRNA staff.
  5. Establishment of a schedule of intake deadlines and committee review for applications.
  6. Implementation of application review and funding approvals according to these established policies and schedules.
  7. Maintenance of minutes and records reflecting decisions and procedures.
  8. Overseeing fund disbursal and accounting procedures by YRNA staff.
  9. May participate in decisions concerning investment of fund money, as advised by YRNA staff and consultants.

For more information on Education Funding contact the YRNA office.

Phone: 867-667-4062
Fax: 867-668-5123
E-mail: admin@yrna.ca

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Staff and Office Information

YRNA employs 3 part-time staff to carry out the work of the association.
Executive Director: Patricia McGarr, RN
Coordinator of Regulatory Programs: Cathy Bradbury, RN
Office Administrator: Laurie Hidinger


YRNA maintains an inventory of members interested in participation in our work activities. For more information, complete our
"Opportunities" form. pdf_gif

Office hours are Mondays - Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For more information about YRNA operations, contact the office by phone, fax, e-mail or letter:

Yukon Registered Nurses Association
204 - 4133 - 4th Avenue,
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1H8

Phone: 867-667-4062
Fax: 867-668-5123
E-mail: admin@yrna.ca

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Volunteer Opportunities


Volunteers are an important part of the successful operation of YRNA. Opportunities for volunteer involvement in YRNA activities range from participation on the Board or Committees to assistance with short term projects such as National Nursing Week or school Career Days. volunteer_pic
Print and complete the "Opportunities" form pdf_gif
and mail it to the YRNA office. YRNA will contact you when opportunities arise that match your areas of interest and expertise.


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YRNA Honourary Membership Policy

Honourary Membership is the highest honour which can be conferred on an individual by the Yukon Registered Nurses Association. This honour recognizes outstanding contribution to the advancement of the nursing profession at the territorial, national and/or international level. Honourary Membership does not provide RN status, nor include eligibility for elected office, nor the right to vote at Annual Meetings or elections.

Honourary Membership may be granted to individuals who have rendered distinguished service or valuable assistance to the nursing profession by having:

  1. promoted a positive image of the nursing profession
  2. actively contributed to the Yukon Registered Nurses Association
  3. demonstrated ability to influence nursing practice by leading, supporting and mentoring nurses
  4. shared their expertise with the nursing profession

Those submitting nominations for Honourary Membership must provide background information to show how the candidate has met the first of the above criteria and at least one of the others. In addition, five supporting signatures of YRNA members who verify that the nominee meets the criteria are required.

The call for nominations will be made in the summer and the fall newsletters. Nomination forms may be picked up at the YRNA office. The deadline for receipt of nominations for Honourary Membership is December 31st of each year. The nominations will be reviewed by the Board of YRNA to confirm eligibility.

Successful candidates for Honourary Membership will be selected based on a majority vote of the YRNA Board.

The Honourary Member will be awarded flowers and a certificate in a presentation made at the Annual General Meeting. In addition, the Honourary Member's name will be engraved on a plaque displayed permanently at the YRNA office.

Honourary Membership Nomination Form  pdf.gif

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