October 2025: Note From the Executive Director

Greetings! We've noticed that although you have been following the work of the Association of Professional Nurses of Saskatchewan (APNS), you are not one of our paid members. This newsletter is intended to bring you some information on the work, reach, and benefits of the Association - and to encourage you to join us in keeping APNS as the unified voice of nursing professionals (NPs, RNs, RPNs and LPNs, including students and retired nurses) to create more inclusive, resilient and compassionate healthcare for present and future generations.

As a member-driven Association, the work that APNS does is powered by its members. As a member, you have the opportunity to volunteer on/chair our strategic committees, task forces, communities of practice (CoPs), and be elected as a member of the Board of Directors. Most importantly, you have the opportunity to engage in and support the work of advocacy for the growth of the profession for all nurses in Saskatchewan. These are more than service opportunities. It’s a chance to co-create the future of nursing in Saskatchewan, amplify member voices, and build a more connected, inclusive, and impactful APNS. 

What's Happening at APNS?

On October 31st, all existing non-paid memberships will expire to allow us to launch a new membership portal that better supports the work of the Association.  We will do a soft launch between October 15th and 31st to enable us to settle into the swing of things. We invite you to consider supporting the Association today with a paid membership - our members are the Association. Join us to strengthen our unified voice for nursing in the province. We are indeed stronger together.

Bonuses

• You will receive a 25% discount on your first-year of membership if sign up for membership between October 15 and October 31. Put in your designation ( RN, RPN, LPN, or NP) as the promo code.

• Sign up now  to receive free membership for the rest of the year 2025.

• When you sign up for membership you will be entered in our draw for multiple prizes including gift baskets from Co-operators, Baskits Inc., and APNS.

Membership Benefits

There are several membership benefits. Key benefits include:

1. Support from the Board of Directors, our Executive Director and staff, and members identified as experts by the Association to advocate for issues that concern nursing.

2. Voting privileges to elect committee members and our Board of Directors as well as the ability to be nominated for these positions.

3.  Virtual workshops, seminars and educational offerings to encourage professional development and to meet requirements of annual continuing competency programs.

4.  A perks program with Co-operators which includes exclusive rates from Co-operators on home insurance and many more.

5. A perks program with Endless Savings which offers hundreds of exclusive discounts to chain retailers, services, and travel providers at no cost to our members.

6. A 20% discount on all continuing education courses from the Canadian Healthcare Education Network

Our members, through consultation, have indicated that the educational benefits are critical for their professional development. We have held two webinars so far, an informational webinar in September dubbed 'Fireside Chat with Del'  and an educational Trauma-informed care webinar in October. These were both well attended and highly rated - and we have a lineup of more webinars coming up over the next few months. Watch our website for topics and how to sign up!

 Additionally, we are currently engaged in strategic sessions to consider additional benefits that can be offered to our members. These include:

1. Member-only newsletters.

2. Online access journals and other nursing resources such as Lexicomp Drug Reference.

3. Ability to represent the Association at events and conferences (free event/conference registration and other perks).

4. Virtual member spaces for communities of practice and open forums to address pertinent issues facing nurses in all designations across the province.

5. Ability to be nominated for  and receive awards of excellence through the Nursing Excellence Recognition program.

6. Discounts on paid events such as webinars and conferences.

7. Opportunities to share your expertise in the creation of evidence-informed policies.

8. Exclusive member-only events.