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.