As I prepare for my retirement this June, I write this final editorial with a full heart—and with a perspective that has become clearer to me over time.
For many years, I have had the privilege of leading an organization dedicated to supporting and advancing Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario. It has been meaningful, challenging, and deeply fulfilling work. I am proud of what we have built together, and of the role I have played in helping to strengthen the profession.
But as I prepare to step away, I find myself reflecting not on the work behind a desk, but on the work done at the bedside.
Because the truth is this: my role, important as it has been, pales in comparison to what nurses in direct care do every single day.
That understanding is not new to me—it has been shaped over a lifetime.
I grew up in a small town where my mother was a nurse, deeply respected in our community. She taught me that the most important aspect of nursing is the care we give—freely, without bias or judgment. We lost her to cancer 30 years ago, but people still tell me how much she meant to them.
Years later, when I was invited back to that same town to speak about practical nursing, someone said to me, “Your mom would be so proud of you.”
And while I knew that to be true, what struck me in that moment was this: her pride would have been greatest when I was at the bedside—caring for patients who trusted me and allowed me into their lives.
That realization has stayed with me.
It has guided how I have approached leadership, reminding me always that there is nothing I could do in this role that would ever be as important as the work you do every day.
I have been reminded of that truth again and again by nurses themselves.
I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together over the past twenty years—growth, recognition, investment, and progress for the profession.
I recall a visit to a busy emergency department, where an RN paused in the middle of her shift, brought a colleague over, and said to me, “This is my RPN colleague. I love working with her. She is amazing.”
Those moments say more than any report or policy ever could. Because those who work alongside RPNs understand their value in a way that is immediate, real, and deeply earned.
I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together over the past twenty years—growth, recognition, investment, and progress for the profession.
But I have always believed this:
If we, as leaders, ever allow ourselves to be seen as more important than the nurses who provide direct care, then we have lost sight of what truly matters.
What matters is the connection between a nurse and a patient, client, or resident.
What matters is the skill, judgment, and compassion you bring to your work—often quietly, and without recognition.
And what matters is the difference you make, every single day.
It has been an honour to represent you.
Thank you for trusting me with your voice. Thank you for the work you do. And thank you for reminding me, always, of what matters most.
Dianne Martin
Chief Executive Officer, WeRPN