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Michael Hogard always knew he wanted to be a nurse. In high school he volunteered at his local hospital so frequently that he won a service award from the mayor.
Now, years later, Michael is realizing his childhood ambitions with a career in registered practical nursing.
Michael graduated from the Practical Nursing program at Confederation College and got a job at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. He’s been with the hospital for eight years – first on a busy medical floor, and more recently in their Emergency Department, which treats more than 100,000 patients every year. Nearly a decade into the profession, Michael still loves every minute of it. |
“For me it’s about helping people and solving problems,” he says. “I see hundreds of patients come through the Emergency Department every day, each with their own, individual crisis. It makes me feel good to be a part of the solution. I can really show my skills as a nurse and a leader.”
And Michael’s leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed. After serving on the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Discipline Committee for more than three years, Michael has recently been elected by his peers as one of seven RPN representatives to the CNO Council.
The CNO Council helps sets the direction for the regulation of the nursing profession in Ontario, and establishes the goals, objectives and policies of the college. During his three-year council term, Michael says he hopes to contribute to good decisions that improve the quality and safety of nursing practice and support effective self-regulation.
“Unlike many jurisdictions, Ontario has rightly recognized nurses as autonomous medical professionals,” says Michael. “That recognition gives us a lot of professional opportunity, but it also comes with responsibility. We need to ensure that nurses have the tools and support they need to effectively self-regulate and perform their jobs in a way that brings the greatest benefit to the patient.”
The CNO Council meets quarterly, and Michael is set to attend his first meeting this June.
“I’m excited to bring the voice of my fellow registered practical nurses to the CNO Council so we can find progressive solutions that make the entire nursing team the best it can be.”
Want to learn more about SEIU Local 1 Canada RPNs who are making a difference? Visit Nursing Week 2011. |