Linda will be retiring from ISoN at the end of 2019 after 15 years of committed work with our School and nursing education. Her many roles at the school include faculty lecturer, clinical supervisor, and Nursing Director of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
            
Why did you choose to become a nurse?
Actually, I ended up in nursing after a mix up at the CEGEP. Once I got in I enjoyed it and completed my DEC and later my baccalaureate – always felt I needed to challenge myself – taking on more advanced practice – but my love was clinical practice. Hence when the role of NP came up I help develop the practice with the building of an in house program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) in 1991. The practice was recognized by the Order of Nurses of Quebec (ONQ) in 1993 and eventually became a pilot project in 1997. I was fortunate to attend Stonybrook University in Long Island New York to complete my master in 2000 (recognition of in house program). I joined a committee with the ONQ and the Collège des médecins du Québec to develop the guidelines and education for the practice in 2001, after nine years practicing.
What is your area of expertise or specialization and why?
I initially started working with adults and moved into neonatology in my third year of nursing. The moment I walked into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) I knew this was for me. The ever-developing field of neonatology was challenging, it required dedication and a passion to succeed. I transferred to the MCH for more challenges. I soon took on roles as team leader, transport nurse and educator. I had a brief sprint into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for about three years returning to my first love neonatology. There I continued to advance taking roles of clinical instructor, ECMO coordinator – eventually moving into a nurse practitioner role. This enables me to have my first love of clinical practice, an advanced practice role and an opportunity to continue expanding into new programs, research and nursing education.
What motivated you to join the faculty at the Ingram School of Nursing?
With the introduction of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at Ã山ǿ¼é (first program at Ã山ǿ¼é and currently the only program in Canada) in 2005, though I had helped in developing the new program I initially was only involved with the clinical supervision and as a lecturer. I became the nurse Director for the program in 2007. My main goal was to assure the practice would continue to grow. I have been with the program now for more 15 years. We have had three successful accreditations (5 years).
What do you love the most about your job?
Working with the students, teaching and supervising clinical practicum, having the ability to adapt the program as needed, seeing the graduates move into their practice and later coming back to teach.
What are the top three things you want people to know about nursing in general?
- Nursing is a career, not a job. If you choose this pathway, it is because you are passionate about caring, learning and challenges.
- Nursing requires commitment, dedication, and selflessness.
- Nursing brings many rewards, satisfaction in a job well done, adrenaline highs and lows, laughter, sadness and teamwork and comradery
Anything else you want to include?
My belief is that in life YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO!