Our Nurses ‘Answer the Call'
Published Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Supervised Practice Experience Partnership
The Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) is a new partnership program between the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), Ontario Health (OH), the Ministry of Health (MOH) and approved hospitals. Launched in late January 2022, the focus of SPEP is for applicants to gain nursing practice experience in Ontario. Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre (TBRHSC) has been chosen as one of the SPEP hospitals. The program provides eligible Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) with the opportunity to meet their evidence of practice and language proficiency requirements needed to qualify for registration to practice as a nurse in Ontario. The ministry is supporting the implementation of the SPEP program in selected hospitals by providing funding for the salary and benefits of preceptors hired to support learners in the program and the learner. Already, we have four SPEP Learners, two RNs and two RPNs Candidates, beginning orientation in April 2022.
Participating partners must provide a nurse preceptor to supervise and guide the applicant. The role of the nurse preceptor is crucial to the program. Holding a current RPN, RN, and/or NP Certificate of Registration in the General Class or Extended Class with CNO. The preceptor is responsible to act as a resource, role model, mentor and supervisor. SPEP Learners require a minimum of 140 hours supervised practice. The SPEP Learners have already demonstrated entry to practice competence by meeting both the education requirement and having successfully passed their registration exam. The purpose of the supervised hours is for the applicants to obtain their Evidence of Practice requirement. Supervision and required hours are be based on the needs of the individual applicant. The organization may extend these hours to accommodate the individual as they see fit. At this time, the program is only offered to RPN and RN Candidates. RPN Candidates can be mentored by either a qualified RPN, RN, or NP, whereas RN applicants can only be supervised by a qualified RN or NP. Through frequent and purposeful check-ins, we hope to provide these Candidates with the time and knowledge they need to gain nursing experience.
Meet some of the dedicated nurses at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who deliver exceptional care to patients and families in our community.
Colleen Morrow, NP
I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years and a Nurse Practitioner for 11 years. Making a difference in the lives of my patients with end stage kidney disease in the dialysis department is both challenging and rewarding.
I assist with managing dialysis treatments that change according to individual’s needs, including patients with multiple chronic diseases requiring frequent adaptations to the plan of care. The most challenging part of my role as Nurse Practitioner is providing complex care that can rapidly change. The demands are high and the role can be intense. This work has honed my decision-making skills and has allowed me to develop interdisciplinary and practical knowledge of patient care.
I work with a fantastic team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) that includes another nurse practitioner, five nephrologists, two pharmacists and a pharmacy technician. Our team also includes dietitians, social workers, skilled registered nurses, biomedical technologist, dialysis aides and clerical staff. Everyone works hard as a team by simply sharing a common vision of providing the best health care for our patients. Collaboration amongst this skilled team has created a culture of fast-paced and ethical care based on patient quality of life.
Kathy Antier, RPN
I started my nursing career in 1997 working in homecare. In 2001, I landed a job at Port Arthur General Hospital (PAGH) on the 4W surgical unit. For the next three years I assisted Registered Nurses (RNs) with pre- and post-op care. When Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) opened its doors in 2004, the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) role changed for the better. We were given our own patient load in collaboration with the RN. Gradually, the RPN’s scope of practice expanded to where we are today - total patient care, medication administration, IV initiation, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and tube feeding, collaborating with the health team plus many more utilized skills. The growth of the RPN scope of practice is due to the expansion of the education. Today nursing students have the benefit of real life simulation labs that offer the opportunity to practice critical thinking and learned skills.
Since 2007, I have worked full time in the Emergency Department. I also have my own foot care business, and I am back working in the community. TBRHSC has given me the opportunity to serve on several committees, act as preceptor and do research, for that I am grateful. The opportunities for the RPN are endless, there will always be challenging days but the rewards are worth it.
Emily Delaney, RN
I have been working on the 3B Surgical Unit at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) for the past two years. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to the beginning of my nursing career, I am incredibly grateful and proud to be working alongside all of the compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking nurses on 3B.
Sondra Seibel, RN
I am a Registered Nurse with the Peritoneal Dialysis program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). I came to nursing as a second career and graduated from Lakehead University in 2016. I started working at TBRHSC in the Intensive Care Unit, and then in community working for Anishnawbe Mushkiki. During this time, I completed training as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). In 2020, I returned to TBRHSC where I entered my current role in Peritoneal Dialysis while also working casually with the Palliative Care program. In 2022, I joined the TBRHSC Nursing Practice Council and became the co-chair. In this role, I hope to bring strong advocacy, planning, and facilitation skills. I am very proud to be a nurse and I want to show that the skills we have as nurses are useful in all areas of health care – from the bedside to the boardroom.