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Where am I now and where am I going? Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University NURS 250: Exploration of Professional Nursing Practice

Where am I now and where am I going?

My name is Michaela Johnson, I am a wife, mother, and nurse. Having to provide a brief description of one-self proves to be harder than imagined, because out lives

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can’t be boiled down to one role. We are such complex beings; how do I accurately depict who I am in just a few paragraphs? This will an overview of the things that help define me. The things that most define me are being a wife, mother, and a nurse. Who I am I have been married for 6 years, to my wonderful Husband Sam. I married Sam when I was 20 years old and we have both grown so much in the past six years. I chose to mention being a wife because I take great pride in the role of a wife. I try my best to be a good partner for Sam by bring an equal partner, honest and committed. I hope I can help him achieve all his life goals. Sam recently graduated Law school in April from the University of Alberta. So much of our marriage has been consumed by school, it has become a huge part of our lives and identities. It has been an adjustment for us as a family that he is no longer a student. However, we do look forward to the next chapter in life. My role as a wife has influenced my role as a mother as I apply those same attributes with my children. Motherhood is one of the most defining parts of my life. It affects every aspect of my life, and every decision that I make. I have been a mom for nearly 4 years. I have two adorable red headed boys. Liam is about to turn 4 and Wells is 18 months old. I often tell people that, “the days are long, but the years are short”. Parenting is the most challenging but most rewarding aspect of my life. I hope to be able to raise responsible and kind children. My toles as a wife and a mother have taught me valuable skills that have helped me to be a compassionate and dedicated nurse. I have been an LPN since August 2014

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and employed at the Lois Hole Women’s Hospital since September 2014. I was fortunate to get hired from my preceptor placement. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a women’s health nurse. At the Lois Hole I am able to work in many different units. I float to the postpartum, gynecology and day-surgery units. LPN’s have a large scope of practice in my specific area. We are responsible for patient care, family communication, performing necessary skills, communicating with the care team, educating patients and families and we are also patient advocates. I find a great deal of satisfaction in being able to interact with people, and with my current position I can do so on a daily basis. I enjoy being working with my hands and not only my brain. In women’s health I do have the opportunity to perform many skills. I feel respected and safe in my current role and feeling safe is such an important need as humans. This really makes it a positive experience going to work instead of dreaded one. As much as I do love being an LPN there are a few things that do frustrated me. I often feel that as an LPN I receive less respect than the RN staff receive. I feel as though patients and or families value LPN’s opinions less. It can also become frustrating having to increase our scope without pay compensation. Transition I am anxious for the transition from LPN to RN. I closely align with the Kurt Lewing framework for change mentioned in Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perceptions. I only decide to make a change when the, “Driving forces predominate” and I am more hesitant to make a change or slower to make such change when, “restraining forces predominate” (Blais & Hayes, 2015,p.289). Before I decided to return to school I closely examined the, “The forces operating for and against the

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change” (2015,p.289). Although I have already decided to make the change, I am fully prepared to encounter things that will be difficult to let go of as an LPN. I do feel a strong sense of, “Pride in an existing professional identity” (Melrose & Wishart, 2012,p.112). I have noticed the narrative the CARNA portrays about LPN’s can sometimes be construed as negative. Since I feel a since of pride from my current LPN profession, I will have a difficult time agreeing with or even tolerating such comments. I am painfully aware of the limitations I face as an LPN, however I like other LPN’s have, “Loved the hands-on connections with patients [my] role provided”(2012,p.110). If I am placed as charge nurse, I may have a difficult time letting go of the hands-on aspect of floor nursing that I find very rewarding. I agree with the sediment that, “Change is most threatening in the presence of insecurity.” (2015). I hope that during my transition from LPN to RN ,I can try to adapt the thinking Brené Brown has that ,“Vulnerability is not weakness. I define vulnerability as emotional risk, exposure, uncertainty. It fuels our daily lives. Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” (Brown, 2010). Conclusion Changes occur one small step at a time. I am anxious for my transition from LPN to RN. Being a wife, mother and nurse have shaped me into the person I am today. I am a more capable, loving, loyal and honest. I will be better prepared for my transition because of these things.

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References Blais, K. K., & Hayes, J.S. (2016). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives(7th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.

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Melrose, S., & Wishart, P. (2013). Resisting, reaching out and re-imagining to independence: LPN’s transitioning towards BNs and beyond. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 10(1),107113. https://auspace.athabascau.ca/bitstream/handle/2149/3383/ijnes-20120033.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y TED. (2010, June). Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability [Video]. TEDxHouston. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.ht ml...