Hello Everyone,
I graduated the practical nursing program at Georgian College in 2021. I worked briefly in Long-Term Care after graduation, and am now working as an office manager for my family’s business. I am currently looking for part-time or casual employment and also looking for ways to further my knowledge. I am interested in learning more about nursing research. I am hoping to have a better understanding of how to apply current research to practice and how to create meaningful research, using reliable sources and proper formatting. When I attended nursing school in college, I always enjoyed writing research papers. I am excited to participate in this course and look forward to collaborating with everyone.
Thank you,
Megan

Hello Everyone
My name is April Plumton and I am a non-practicing RPN. I retired from nursing after spending 31 years practicing as a RPN in many different areas of nursing from Obstetrics/Gynecology and Newborn Care, Medical/Surgical, Long-term Care and my last years in nursing were spent working in Primary Care. While working in Primary Care I took an interest in diabetes and became one of the first RPN’s to become a Diabetes Nurse Educator. I helped implement the “Insulin Pump Program” at the clinic I worked for and was moved to coordinator of the program.
While working in Primary Care, I also had an interest in the Immunization, Well-Women, Smoking Cessation Program and I was also a RNAO Smoking Cessation Best Practice Champion.

I am interested to learn more about nursing and health research as I noticed that there is very little research done by or related to RPN’s. Realistically to introduce anything to RPN nursing we need to back it up with research which I learned while working on a awarded, RPNAO Leadership/Clinical Practice Fellowship on “Enhancement of the Role of the Registered Practical Nurse within Primary Care”.
I have a background in Community Health sitting on local committee’s and as a council member, chair of the Elections and Appointments Committee and Disciplinary Committee member, Panel Chair for the College of Nurses of Ontario. Recently I am on the Health Services Advisory Committee, Vic-Chair, Carman Cemetery Brighton ON and Growing Abilities Supportive Housing Inc. Chair for Ontario.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am happily married, have two sons one is a reporter for CBC Toronto and my other son is developmentally delayed and still lives at home with my husband and I. We also have two cats, Archy and Ottis.

Hi, my name is Marissa, and I’ve been an RPN since 2019. I currently work at a tertiary mental health hospital, providing inpatient treatment and rehabilitation for individuals experiencing psychosis. I also serve as co-chair of our facility’s nursing council, where research has become a recurring topic of interest among members.
Recognizing a gap in RPN representation within the council, my fellow co-chairs and I saw an opportunity to lead meaningful change. We applied for—and were awarded—the RPN Fellowship Grant to launch a research initiative focused on amplifying RPN voices. This exciting step is what brought me to this course.
While I’ve engaged in research before, this is my first time doing so specifically as a nurse and for nurses. I hold a B.A. in Health, Aging and Society from McMaster University, where I explored health systems, social determinants of health, and aging across the lifespan. That academic foundation equipped me with the tools to advocate for policy reform that supports healthier aging and equitable care.
This fellowship and course represent a unique opportunity to merge my clinical experience with my academic background. I’m eager to deepen my research skills and contribute to a project that not only elevates RPN perspectives but also strengthens our role in shaping the future of nursing.

Hello everyone,

My name is Brandon, and I’ve been an RPN since 2012. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles, starting in long-term care and home care before moving into the hospital, where I’ve spent more than 10 years in the Emergency Department. Alongside this, I’ve been teaching RPN clinical at St. Clair College for the past eight years, which has become one of my passions.

During COVID, I balanced working in the ED and teaching with supporting local vaccine clinics. That experience eventually led me to lead vaccine clinics full-time in Toronto and the surrounding areas. Afterward, I took on travel nursing contracts in Northern Ontario and Northern Saskatchewan, which gave me valuable insight into healthcare in more remote communities.

Currently, I’m back in school full-time in the RPN to BScN bridging program at St. Clair College/University of Windsor, now entering my final year. I was also recently awarded the RPN Fellowship grant and will be working alongside Dr. Edward Cruz, the Associate Dean of Nursing at the University of Windsor, on a research project supporting research education in Ontario’s practical nursing programs.

I’m taking this course because research is becoming a big part of my academic and professional journey, and I want to strengthen my knowledge and confidence in this area. I’m looking forward to learning with all of you and seeing how research can continue to shape our nursing practice.

Hello everyone My name is Helena and I have been an RPN since 2018. I have experience in many different areas of nursing, Emergency department, medicine, surgery, LTC, retirement, Ministry of long term care, Mental health and now currently working in reactivation care. I am excited to learn more about research and happy for the opportunity to be a part of this learning experience.