In the Spotlight
Christine Johnson RN MN GNC(c)
Christine has been the Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Rehab and Geriatric Program at the Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg (HSC) since 2004. Christine started her career at Riverview Health Centre and then worked at the Seven Oaks General Hospital Geriatric Day Hospital. Before her current role, Christine worked as a clinician with the Geriatric Program Assessment Team.
Christine was recently recognized as Clinical Nurse Specialist of the Year by the CNS Interest Group of Manitoba.
"I have had wonderful mentors . . . I am appreciative of their influence and guidance in helping to shape who I am today."
Did you pick geriatric nursing or did it pick you?
I have always wanted to work in health care, and at the end of the day, nursing seemed to be the best fit for me.
In terms of geriatric nursing, I always had an interest and soft spot for this population. After becoming involved, I realized that geriatric nursing is challenging and cases can be quite complicated. This was exactly what I was looking for . . . the opportunity to problem solve. That, combined with the rich history and stories these people have to tell mean geriatric nursing is very rewarding and a great fit for me and my personality.
What prompted you to look at the Clinical Nurse Specialist role?
When I graduated from Bachelor of Nursing program, I didn't feel that my education was finished. Geriatric nursing was offered by the University of Manitoba Clinical Nurse Specialist stream, so I took this opportunity to move forward in attaining my educational goals.
Can you explain a little bit more about what a Clinical Nurse Specialist does?
Clinical Nurse Specialists practice in an advanced role. Advanced Practice Nurses at the HSC follow the Strong Model to guide practice, which includes research, education, publication/leadership, supporting systems and providing clinical expertise in a specialty area.
Most of my practice has been in geriatrics but I am trying to involve myself more in the rehab side of my role. To this end, I'm planning to write the Canadian Nurses Association Certification exam in Rehabilitation Nursing in 2016.
If you had one thing you wanted people to know about the CNS role, what would that be?
I think a lot of people really don't understand what the CNS does and the Advanced Practice Nursing group at HSC have really done a lot of excellent work in defining the role. Our roles are comprehensive, and we tackle issues from a variety of angles as indicated by the Strong Model. CNS are also unique in their individual practices and although there can be similarities on many levels, our roles are molded by the needs of the programs we work for.
How have opportunities shaped your nursing career?
I've been very fortunate to have had a number of really great opportunities throughout my career.
I started my career working at Riverview. Because it's a small facility, I was not only more visible but also had more mentorship and opportunity for growth available to me in that setting.
Another opportunity that comes to mind is working on the Geriatric Program Assessment Team shortly after it was first developed. The skills I acquired working for GPAT have been invaluable and applicable to my current role.
When the opportunity to be a CNS at HSC came up, it was a chance for me to show people what I could offer. Knowing few people when I had first arrived at HSC, I had to work at building rapport and trust with the staff. It has become very rewarding to know that since those humble beginnings that I've developed a reputation where people feel they can come to me if they need help with geriatric related issues.
Have you had mentors who have impacted your career or your work?
I credit Wendy Rudnick as being one of my early and great mentors. She was a manager on a unit at Riverview shortly after I graduated from the BN program. She was awesome to work for and really provided a lot of support during my more novice years.
Kathleen Klaasen was one person who really impacted my work. She supported me so much during a time which I considered to be a low point in my career. I am so very grateful for her ongoing support, friendship and credit her with keeping my career on track.
Finally, Bev Laurila, my current Director at HSC is another person I look to as a mentor. She has been the one constant in my career and prior to my coming to HSC our paths crossed many times. Bev is as passionate about the care of the older adult as I am and is a past president of the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association. Any time I've felt discouraged or needed somebody to give me support and guidance, Bev is the person I turn to.
What are you proud of?
I saw an opportunity to make delirium education at the forefront of people's minds. This led to the creation of the Delirium Tips of the Week. I send the tips out weekly but have taken a summer hiatus. I plan to resume them soon.
I have had a lot of positive responses but remember one occasion in which I was handling a display for the falls committee at HSC. A couple of nurses came up and said, "You're Christine Johnson. We read your delirium tips every week." Since the development of the tips I have received a lot email from people seeking advice about patients with delirium, emails from staff who are looking after aging relatives who see me as someone they can call and ask for advice.
I was in Prince Edward Island earlier this year for Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association conference, and did a presentation on the tips. I really did not think anyone would be interested in the presentation especially when it was the Saturday morning after the gala banquet. To my surprise, the room was packed and the feedback was awesome. One of the examples I provided evoked an emotional response, as was the case with one woman who approached me after my presentation. We chatted about some of the difficulties she had experienced with her father and she's now on my mail out list. Since then, other people who were at the PEI presentation have contacted me and now my tips are read by nurses from across the country.
What is a typical day like?
Every day is a different day, depending on what's going on. Some of my role takes place in the background, behind the scenes working on things like policy and guideline development. More recently I was involved in a research project looking at how nurses communicate patient information in an effort to see how that might be improved.
I am involved on a number of committees and am currently the Chair of the Older Adult Resource Committee and Falls Management Committee, so I am involved in many relative initiatives. Fortunately I have great clinicians on these committees who too are passionate about caring for the older adult and patient safety.
I am also involved in many regional committees and am currently the Co-Chair of the Excellence for the Care of the Older Adult Committee. More recently I became the Manitoba representative for the Canadian Rehabilitation Nurses Association. Before this I had held executive positions on the Manitoba Gerontological Nursing Association.
One aspect of my role I am really excited about is being part of the implementation of interprofessional practice and the work that is being done throughout the centre, especially in the development of interprofessional education.
I also help units with patients who may have issues with delirium and reactive behaviors that can often have detrimental consequences if left unchecked. There are likely many more examples of what I do but these are just a few. I always seem to be busy doing something and there is never a dull moment!
Can you talk a little bit about winning the award?
It took some convincing for me to agree to be nominated - I'm not good at being in the spotlight and never saw myself as someone who would stand out in this way. I always felt I was somebody who came in, did their job the best they could. Regardless, it was an honour to be nominated and nice to be recognized.
What did receiving the award inspire in you?
Receiving this award has shown that if you work hard to achieve your goals that anything is possible. It's given me the encouragement to look toward the future . . . to keep active, to set new goals and to keep moving forward.
What are your reflections on nursing?
I have never regretted my decision to go into nursing. There are so many opportunities for nurses to grow within the profession. I am proud to be a nurse and nursing has always been good to me.
As noted I recently had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Conference which reaffirmed why I am in the profession and especially geriatric nursing. The enthusiasm was palpable and helped me refocus on why this stream of nursing is imperative.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
At the Health Sciences Centre you can often feel like a small fish in a big pond. However I feel supported by my colleagues and have made many wonderful friends along the way, some who feel more like family. Also feeling valued and recognized for the work I do makes getting up worthwhile.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The patients and my interactions with them. Knowing I have helped in some way is very rewarding.
What has had a profound influence on your nursing practice?
During my career I have experienced some peaks and valleys, leading to my belief of the saying, what does not kill you makes you stronger. However I have had some wonderful mentors along the way who have listened to my rants and have shared in my triumphs no matter how big or small. I am appreciative of their influence and guidance in helping to shape who I am today.