Inter-professional connectedness

Introduction of self

Hello fellow classmates, I am looking forward to be working with all of you this semester, as we begin our graduate degree in Health Studies. I am so excited to be starting a new chapter in my life in continuing my educational studies. This is a little bit daunting, as this is my first Master’s Degree. 

My name is Nina Arboine and I am from Barrie,Ontario. I work as a Registered Nurse here at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre on the Inpatient Cancer and Palliative Unit. I have always had a passion caring for patients with those  facing  end-of-life care. It is such rewarding  and honourable work. I have been working on the unit for the past fourteen years. 

I graduated from Lambton College with a diploma in Practical Nursing and began my nursing career as a unit staff nurse at the BlueWater Health Hospital and in my Community with Bayshore Home Health in Sarnia, Ontario with Palliative patients. From here, I had obtained my undergraduate from the University of York with a degree in Bachelor of Science of Nursing. I wanted to further my education with obtaining my undergraduate degree in order to work with more complex patients and to have the opportunity to work in other departments of the Cancer Care Program. 

Health Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that will provide me with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary health issues, the biological and social determinants of health, health humanities, and the impact of policy on health and well-being. My decision to purse a Masters in Health Studies is to turn my focus on researching social, historical, political and the economic processes that shape people’s health and well-being, including how people mobilize to bring about progressive social change. In addition to, understanding the analyst of how culture factors mediate health practices and in turn shape health outcomes through traditional, customs, rituals, and concepts of health, illness and disease. 

I am hoping that this program will be a stepping stone to transitioning into the community health sector and to assist in future goals in becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Digital Identity Room

I may be the only one who does not engage in Digital Identity both professionally and personally. But looking forward to creating social platforms from a professional stand point. Signed up for Linked In and excited to start working on it.

Social Media Audit

It’s always interesting when googling ones own name,  what one will expect (or unexpectedly)  to find. In my own Google search, I came across my name in the Observer from my home town of Sarnia, ON. It was in the funeral announcements from my late brother who passed 4 years ago. In addition, under “Steadman Brothers”  (another funeral announcement) my name  was associated to the passing of my friends son who died at only 10 months due to health complications because I wrote a comment on their web page.

As I continued to search, my name appeared on LinkedIn which I newly signed to. A Pinterest account  where I am not active. I only signed up so I can scroll onto others accounts to get inspired on how to decoration my home, as well as recipe ideas. Moreover, my name appeared on the Ontario Sunshine List. I am not fond of this Public sector salary disclosure, as I feel my salary is personal. Not all discipliners in healthcare or non-health care jobs have their salary exposed. 

An unexpected surprise, may name was highlighted separately about a book called “ I will not be erased: our stories about growing up as people of colour. The author shared my first name Nina, as she was Nina Dahmani. The other author shared my last name, as she was Neillah Arboine (who is actually my niece). While I did not come across with another who shared my full name, but rather parts of my name. 

When I clicked on images, 3 photos of me appears: 2 professional and 1 person which I used on my Pinterest account. The 2 professional photos was from the Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy (CAET).  I was previously enrolled in two of there programs. The first was to specialize in Wound, Ostomy and Continences program and the second program was in Leadership in Wound Care.  As for my personal photo, I was with a bunch of my friends all dressed up and getting ready for an evening out. 

The following attachment when I clicked on my professional photo,lead me to my presentation from my Leadership in Wound Care program.

I do not have a Twitter, Instagram, tiktok account. Additionally, I have deleted my Facebook account 7 years ago simply because I wasn’t active on it. At that time of having Facebook, my account was public. I would post comments on friends/families accounts about birthday wishes, congratulations and random comments of their photos. I used it took mainly keep in touch with long distance friends and family. I had uploaded some photos of myself like completing the Warrior Dash or trips with family.

I do have a Snap Chat account for personal usage. Only close family and friends are added. I mainly use it for leisure reading of random post. For example “ The Braid Up” to see different hair styles or “Gangster Granny” who post with her grandson and his friends of random stuff that they do.  With my younger cousins, I will send funny filtered photos which they can see once and one additional time if they replay and then its automatically self deletes. I also play little games with them on it too. I also use it a communication, via messaging or phone calling and i can see them when we talk. Its a nice app to have for myself.

But overall, I am not really into social media platforms. While I think they are great tools in ways to connect with others both professionally and personally. And Its nice to have, especially to connect with others who are long distance. I believe the art of physical human connection is becoming more lost (Before COVID-19 occurred). I would rather pick up the phone and have a conversation.  Does anyone else have thoughts about this? 

Professionalism Audit

As a practicing Registered Nurse, I am required to maintain my membership with the College of Nurses of Ontario on an annually bases.  I have a responsibility for practicing in accordance within the laws, regulations and standards governing the nursing profession of Ontario, and to engage in continuing education in order to meet the standards of nursing care in Ontario. It is mandated with The College of Nurse of Ontario that all practising nurses must have a professional liability protection. This is automatically included in my membership. Moreover, the College of Nurses of Ontario supports nurse in articulating and promoting practice standards in order to protect the public. 

From my perspective, the College of Nurses of Ontario aims to ensure that nurses are meeting the expectations to have the necessary knowledge, skill and judgement to provided safe care, however their focus leans towards protecting and serving the public. I do not necessarily always feel that my own professional body is protecting nurses. As an examplar, (for confidential reason I am limited to elaborate in details) a group of nurses that I work with are undergoing a law suit. One particular nurse is being charge with assault/elderly abuse on a patient in accordance to a witness family member. This is a false accusation because I happened to be with that nurse assisting in care and no assault/elderly abuse had taken place. This nurse is so loving, kind and goes the extra mile for each person she cares for. It’s heartbreaking. Because of this speculation, our College of Nurses will not support her legal matters and she is required to find her own legal representation. As nurses, we pay into this mandatory membership, and yet there is limited to no support when mattes of this situation occurs. 

While, I am not an active member with the Canadian Nursing Association, I previously obtained my CNA designation in Oncology. Therefore, I hold the title Certified in Oncology Nursing (C)anada, CON(C). It is a nationally recognized nursing specialty credential for Registered Nurses (and slowing opening to Registered Practical Nurses) to demonstrate advance knowledge in a specific area to nursing.  

I interact with other profession on a daily bases at work. These include but are not limited to our Pharmacists, Social Workers, Dieticians, Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist, Physicians, Respiratory Therapist, Laboratory, Facilities, Laundry, Porters and so much more. Each disciplinary member has an interconnected role when we look at the patient and family from a patient centre care model. For instance, I may be required to connect with the Radiation Therapist about a patient receiving treatment and have to provide report to ensure treatment is safe based on patients condition and signs/symptoms. Or I may need to connect with the Physiotherapist if I notice a patient who previously ambulated independently, but not requires assistance and perhaps a walker for safe mobility measures. While nurse are more often than not the primary person caring for patients, nurses do not work alone, we work have a great support system in place to help provide exceptional care to patients and their families.