Glossary

An approach directed toward individuals or groups that aims to reduce the harms associated with certain behaviors. Harm reduction approaches greatly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with risky health behaviors. For example, implementing an evidence-based, client centered approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with addiction and substance use, without necessarily requiring people who use substances from abstaining or stopping.

A patient safety incident that resulted in harm to the patient.

A state of complete physical, mental (spiritual) and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.

All those who are involved in providing care; they may include professionals, personal care attendants, home support workers and others.

Deliberate attempts by governments to substantially change health policies, structures, and processes with the objective of improving their functioning or performance.

Members of the intraprofesssional and/or interprofessional team and/or community supporting client care. This also includes the health and other government sectors, representatives from private, voluntary, and non-profit groups, as well as Indigenous and traditional healers.

Differences in health status that occur among population groups defined by specific characteristics. Socio-economic status, Aboriginal identity, gender, ethnicity, and geographic location are the important factors associated with health disparities in Canada.

Absence of unfair, avoidable, or remediable differences in health status among groups of people. Health equity is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being.

Health human resources (HHR) – also known as human resources for health (HRH) or health workforce – is defined as "all people engaged in actions whose primary intent is to enhance health."

Differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources among different population groups, arising from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.

The ability to access, comprehend, evaluate and communicate information as a way to promote, maintain and improve health in a variety of settings across the life-course.

The events occurring as a result of a health intervention. They may be measured clinically, self-reported, or observed.

Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behaviour towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions.

A critical behaviour or requirement of nursing practice. Without it, client safety would be jeopardized.

Historical trauma refers to the collective and cumulative emotional, psychological, and spiritual wounding experienced by a group across generations (intergenerational), resulting from significant and targeted historical injustices. These events – such as conlonization, forced displacement, Canadian Indian Residential Schools, and systemic racism – are widespread among a specific population, intentionally inflicted by the dominant group, and result in profound and lasting collective distress. Historical trauma is characterized by four interrelated dimensions: colonial injury, collective experience, cumulative effects, and cross-generational impacts (the “4 C’s). Its consequences persist across generations and continue to influence health, well-being, identity, and access to systems and services.

An approach that considers the whole person including their physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, cultural, and social needs rather than focusing solely on a disease or condition.

The time students spend in learning activities in a variety of settings (acute, long term care, and community), and may include orientation, pre and post conferences, and clinical experiences of an observational nature.

The rights of people as expressed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and as recorded in the CNA position statement, Registered Nurses, Health and Human Rights.

Failing to understand the nature of the treatment decisions to be made, as well as the consequences of consenting to treatment or declining treatment.

A physical or mental condition or disorder, suffered by a member, of such nature and extent that it is desirable in the interests of the public or the member that they no longer be permitted to practise nursing or that their practice be restricted.

An active and intentional operationalization of equity and diversity within organizations and communities to be welcoming, helpful, and respectful to everyone. Inclusion requires that every person within a community demonstrates the values and principles of fairness, and justice, and is open to and accepting of different perspectives, experiences, and cultures. Organizational inclusion requires identifying and removing barriers (e.g. physical, procedural, invisible, visible) that inhibit member participation or contribution.

For the purposes of program approval, an indicator is an objective measure used to assess whether an entry-level nursing education program has achieved the program approval standards. An indicator is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-limited.

A form completed by programs for the comprehensive review process. The form provides information and documentation to CNNB demonstrating that the program achieves all evidence requirements for each program approval indicator and standard.

The first inhabitants of a geographic area. In Canada, Indigenous peoples include those who may identify as First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and/or Inuit.

A diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. They encompass all digital and analogue technologies that facilitate the capturing, processing, storage, and exchange of information via electronic communication.

The process of giving permission or making choices about care. It is based on both a legal doctrine and an ethical principle of respect for an individual’s right to sufficient information to make decisions about care, treatment and involvement in research. Consent is considered informed when a person has been given all the information that a reasonable individual in similar circumstances would need to make a decision about treatment, intervention, or procedure, and when any additional questions they had were answered.

The ability to actively seek and develop new methods, new technologies, and new tools to promote health, prevent disease, improve quality of care of patients, and apply innovation to work through teamwork and reasonable support channels.

Adherence to moral norms that is sustained over time. Implicit in integrity is soundness, trustworthiness and the consistency of convictions, actions and emotions.

Historic and contemporary trauma that has compounded over time and been passed from one generation to the next. The negative cumulative effects can impact individuals, families, communities, and entire populations, resulting in a legacy of physical, psychological, and economic disparities that persist across generations. For Indigenous peoples, the historical trauma includes trauma created as a result of the imposition of assimilative policies and laws aimed at attempted cultural genocide and continues to be built upon by contemporary forms of colonialism and discrimination.

Health care professionals must be able to interpret diagnostic tests to develop a timely and effective treatment plan in today’s complex environment.