MEGGAN NANTONS E-PORTFOLIO

Meggan Nantons E-Portfolio

Norquest College
NFDN 2008-001-002-XL-2015
Assignment # 2 E-Portfolio
Instructor: Cindy Hoyme
April 24th, 2015

Meggan Nantons Nursing Portfolio

MEGGAN NANTONS E-PORTFOLIO

Table of Contents
PART A: PERSONAL PROFILE---------------------------------------------------------------------4
Personal Goals-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5, 6

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Personal Goal Statement-----------------------------------------------------------------------------6, 7
Personal Interests------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8, 9
Life Experiences---------------------------------------------------------------------------------10, 11
Education--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12, 13
Achievements---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14, 15
PART TWO: PROFESSIONAL PROFILE--------------------------------------------------------16
Philosophy of Practical Nursing---------------------------------------------------------------------17
Personal versus Professional Values----------------------------------------------------------------18
Resume & Cover Letter-------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
PN Program Appraisals & Evaluations--------------------------------------------------------21, 22, 21
Reflective Practice------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24
Leadership & Mentoring-----------------------------------------------------------------------------25
Scholarly Papers--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------26
Care Plans---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------27
Professional Goals------------------------------------------------------------------------------------28
C.P.R.N.E Study Plan--------------------------------------------------------------------------------29
Continuing Competency------------------------------------------------------------------------------30
References----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------31

Part A: PERSONAL PROFILE

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Personal Goals

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Personal Goals
Introduction
A goal according to the Oxford Dictionary is the object of an ambition or effort, and
is often what motivates people in their everyday decision making (Barber, Fitzgerald &
Pontisso, 2005). The purpose of having a goal is to give people something to strive for each
day in order to help focus one's life to have meaning and purpose. I have many personal goals
at present that influence my daily life. As a single mother, going through a difficult divorce,
and raising a four year old son, my main personal goal is to provide as much stability as I can
so that he may become a healthy well adjusted person. To this end, all my goals are directed at
being a good mother and role model to my son. Being an excellent parent also means doing
whatever I can to further myself educationally and career -wise, so that I can support myself
and my child. I want my son to learn that it is not only important to strive for excellence in all
aspects of life, but it is equally important that a person should enjoy ones profession. Thus,
besides focusing on being the best parent I can be, I have re-entered school and have
committed myself to focus my energies to become a nurse. I have wanted to become a nurse
for as long as I can remember, yet in the past, life took me in other directions and I have had
several other careers, all in the health care fields. I finally realized that I would never be
satisfied until achieving the majour goal of becoming a nurse. I love being around people, I am
caring, and I am a natural born 'helper'. Moreover, the field of nursing, health care, biology
and chemistry are natural interest areas for me.
Personal Goal Statement

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As an adult student, and a single mother, I have a newfound focus or goal and that is to
excel in the practical nursing program. Therefore the first goal I wish to achieve is to complete
the practical nursing program by studying as much as possible to achieve at least an 80 percent
average in all of my coursework. I believe I have the required experience to achieving 80
percent as I know from past courses how much time I need to contribute to each course to be
successful. However I feel there is an overall package that comes with becoming a nurse and I
believe it is also important for a nurse to have a strong sense of herself/ himself. I personally
have always struggled with low self esteem and this feeling of not being adequate, or smart
enough has possibly affected every aspect of my personal and professional life. However since
leaving a very controlling marriage, and finding my own voice, I have become to realize that I
am stronger than I ever gave myself credit for! I think working towards becoming secure in
my 'own skin' and decision making will be an excellent personal attribute in the nursing
profession. There are also goals in the practical nursing program I wish to fulfill such as
gaining a strong understanding and working knowledge of medication. Fortunately as a
nurses aide I was given some medication assistance training and dispensed pills from dosette
packs and helped individuals to check their blood sugar levels. I believe these experiences
although limited will ultimately help me when learning about medications and their
implementation.

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Personal Interests

Personal Interests

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In trying to describe what I like best I am at a loss for words because there is not
one particular activity I enjoy more than another. I try to strive for balance in my life
and enjoy physical activity as I find it is a great stress reliever. I enjoy hiking, running,
lifting weights and playing tennis. I also take pleasure in reading and going to the
library as it is enjoyable for both me and my four-year old son. When I am not too busy
studying I often go to see a movie with friends, especially comedies as they force me to
laugh and not dwell on the hardships I have gone through this year. I also enjoy
painting and playing guitar and find both these hobbies to be a good outlet in which I
can express myself.

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Life Experiences

Life Experiences

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While my life experiences have influenced my overall personal growth I also think my
prior employment as a nurses aide will also help me in my pursuits to becoming a practical
nurse. As a nurses aide I have helped people contend with disabling conditions such as
Muscular Sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, and Dementia and each client has taught me how
similar disease processes can affect people in very different ways. It also has taught me how
each persons body responds differently to treatment. I have always enjoyed looking after
others as a child and would often volunteer to look after children affected with Down
syndrome during recess. On several occasions I also volunteered to help the elderly to do arts
and crafts during Christmas and summer break in care facilities. It was these experiences that
gave me insight into what the elderly and those with mental disabilities contend with each day.

Education

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Education
While my life experiences have shaped who I am today, so did my education. After
high school I became an accredited health care aide and later also got my diploma in dental

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assisting. Working as a nurses aide in hospitals and in home settings has also taught me
several things such as administering enemas and suppositories, changing colostomy bags, using
lifts and administering tube-feeds. Working as a dental assistant will also be of assistance to
caring for a clients oral health, especially where denture- care is a topic of concern to the
physically compromised client.

Achievements

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Achievements

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Although I have achieved certain scholastic goals I believe my biggest achievement to

date is giving birth to my now four year old Jackson. I feel as a person I have grown
substantially from this experience and he has taught me how to be patient and understanding of
others needs. Before having Jackson, I had a difficult time understanding how parents could
carefully listen to their sons or daughters while they were having temper-tantrums in the
middle of a store. I also had a hard-time understanding how some parents remained calm after
hearing hours of pleading from their kids over a toy. After having my son however I have
learned to be more patient with others and myself. If there is one accomplishment that I value
the most in life it would be giving birth to and growing as a person because of my son Jackson.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

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Philosophy of Practical Nursing

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While ones personal profile is fundamental to the making of an e-portfolio, so is a
professional profile and subsequently ones beliefs. Beliefs according to the Oxford Canadian
dictionary are a persons convictions [or] a firm opinion (Barber, Fitzgerald, Howell &
Pontisso, 2005) and when positively applied to a designated profession can be a powerful tool.
If I were to relate my own beliefs in accordance with the practical nursing profession, I would
emphasize the importance of competency and confidentiality as well as client advocacy. The
College of Licensed Practical Nursing Association for one believes that the practical nurse
should demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical
judgment required for the provision of safe, competent and ethical nursing care (Standards of
Practice, 2004). I too believe in the above professional standards and consequently feel that
a nurse has an obligation to be diligent in his/or her actions whether he or she is administering
medications, charting a clients progress or communicating with another healthcare provider. I
also believe that a nurses responsibility is to advocate for the client particularly when they are
unable to help themselves. I believe that a clients information must remain confidential as
outlined in professional guidelines. In summary I feel the standards of practice are vital to
those in the practical nursing profession and include (1) knowledge (2) accountability (3)
patient safety (4) continuing competence (5) collaboration and (6) leadership (Standards of
Practice, 2004). The standards of practice furthermore are important to the practical nursing
profession for several reasons. For one they give nurses consistency among varied skill sets,
set out clear guidelines as to what is to be expected of them and provide a governing body to
which nurses are accountable.
Personal versus Professional Values

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To conclude if I were to compare both my personal and professional values I would

have to say there would be more similarities than differences. Both personally and
professionally I value accountability from myself and others, and believe in the old adage that
one is only as strong as the weakest link. Accountability is essential in the healthcare domain,
and doing what is expected of an individual is paramount when peoples lives are at risk.
Similarly ones personal life is closely based upon the support of other people and if others do
not act in the manner they promise much hardship can become of it. I also strongly believe in
the act of collaborating with others when making personal or work based decisions. For one I
believe people are more receptive to others when the general mood is one of cooperation rather
than opposition. For example in a hospital type setting a patients needs are best assessed when
visited upon by the entire health team (physiotherapists, nutritionists, nurses, physicians) as
opposed to just the doctors and the nurses. Similarly I think personal decisions should be made
in collaboration with those they affect, if the best decision is to be made. An example of this
would be if I were in care of a patient whose health status had changed dramatically for the
worse I may first call an ambulance and then consult with the patients family followed by a
discussion with their family physician.

Conclusion

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In summary I feel my experience as a nurse-aide has given me insight into the

importance of client-centered care. I have also enjoyed working with other disciplines such as
physiotherapists and occupational therapists. I feel developing a good working relationship
with all team members not only creates a positive working environment but also should
ultimately provide the optimum care for clients which should be my most important goal.

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Resume & Cover Letter

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Meggan Nanton
10503-48 Ave
Edmonton, AB T6H0C1
780-982-8288[Website]

Alberta Health Services

Human resources
1007-107st
Edmonton, AB
T6F 5F3
Dear Heather:
Shannon Smith suggested that I contact you regarding the 0.6 Pracical Nursing for the
position in community care in Strathcona County, Alberta. I think you will find although I am a
new graduate I have had much experience as a healthcare aid working in the community of
Strathcona County and feel I would be an asset to your team.
As you will see from the enclosed resume, I have had almost four years working in healthcare
prior to finishing my practical nursing diploma as a nurse aid. As a nurses aid I routinely
perform dressing changes, empty and change ostomy bags and perform intermittent
catheterization under the authority of the nurses in the region. I also feel I would be an asset to
your team as I am quite familiar with the rural areas in Strathcona County such as Ardrossan
and Cooking Lake. I therefore do not have a problem locating peoples homes in this region.
Furthermore I feel I could be of benefit to the people of Strathcona as I am hard worker and
find value in building trusting relationships with both clients and their families.
If you have questions, please contact me at 780-982-8288. I look forward to meeting you to
further discuss employment opportunities at the Alberta Health Services, in the Community
Care Division.
Sincerely,

Meggan Nanton

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Meggan Nanton, P.N

10503-48th Ave. Edmonton, AB T6H 0C2
(780)982-8288 meggansutherland@hotmail.com

Graduate of the Practical Nursing Program as of August 2015.

Patient advocate; upholds the highest standards of patient care
Keen observation, communication and intervention skills.

Adapts easily to changing environments and work schedules.

Nurses Aide Experience

We Care Home Health Services
present

07/2013-

Four Corners Health Services, Edmonton, AB

06/2013

01/2012-

Stay at Home Mom

01/2012

01/2006-

Health and Sciences

12/2005

02/2005-

Carewest Nursing Home, Calgary, AB

12/2004
South Victoria Home Support, Victoria, BC
12/2004

We Care Home Health Services

07/200403/2002-

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Medication administration
Routine dressing Changes
AM care and patient transfers
Catheter Care
Colostomy Care

Four Corners Health Services, Edmonton, AB

Medication administration
Dressing Changes
AM Care and Patient transfers
Emptying of catheter bags/changing colostomy bags

Carewest Nursing Home, Calgary, AB

AM Care and Patient transfers

Emptying of catheter and colostomy bags
Assisting patients to eat/assisting patients with oxygen
machines
Implement required nursing procedures from the care plan.
Observed and reported any changes in the patients condition.

Education & Certifications

Practical Nursing Graduate: Norquest College summer of 2015.
Heart and Stroke Foundation: First Aid Certificate for Health
Professionals
Two Years of Studies: Camosun College, Victoria BC 2000-2004
Home Support Attendant Certificate: Camosun College, Victoria BC
1998

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References Available on Request

Practical Nursing
Program Appraisals and Evaluations

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Appraisals and Evaluations

The first appraisal I received was from the faculty of Health Sciences at the Home
Support Attendant Program in Victoria B.C in December of 1998. I was 22 years of age at this
point in my life and I remember looking at this reference thinking it was my ticket to freedom
from minimum wage jobs as well as a symbol of happiness that would allow me a certain job
satisfaction. I chose this evaluation furthermore because I was proud of my newly acquired
skills and felt honoured that the strong faculty at Camosun College considered my experiences
valuable. The second appraisal shown above is from my medicine practicum with the Norquest
College Practical Nursing Program, otherwise known as course NPRT 2101, carries out at the
Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. This practicum while challenging, helped me to
grow as a practical nursing student and I was able to use this experience to refine my skills in
injections and sterile technique.

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Reflective Practice

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Reflective Practice
If I were to look back on my practical nursing experience I would have to say the most
humbling of experiences was writing my first reflective practice in NFDN 1002.

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Leadership & Mentoring

T.B.A.

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Scholarly Papers

T.B.A.

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Care Plans

T.B.A.

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Professional Goals

T.B.A.

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C.P.R.N.E. Study Plan

T.B.A.

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Continuing Competence

T.B.A.

References

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Barber, K., Fitzgerald, H., Pontisso, R. (2005). Oxford Canadian English (pp.65, 264). Oxford
University Press. Don Mills, Ont.
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. (2004).CLPNA standards of practice.
Retrieved from http://www.clpna.com/Portals/0/Files/doc_CLPNAEthics-Standards.pdf