Alumna Spotlight: Joelynne Radbourne

Joelynne Radbourne (BSN’12) (MN-NP’19) is a nurse practitioner (NP) at the All Nations’ Healing Hospital in Fort Qu’Appelle, SK. She specializes in Women’s Health.

In April 2021, Radbourne was recognized by the International Nurses Association as a Top Nurse Practitioner.

We sit down today to learn more about the path Joelynne has taken to this point in her nursing career.

Q: What made you choose nursing?  

I truly believe everything happens for a reason. When my first daughter was born premature, it required my family to spend a lot of time in hospital. During that time, I got to experience the medical system from both the patient and family perspective and I realized the impact bed side nursing has on patient care. The nurses provided amazing support, empathy, education, and guidance in one of the most trying times a parent can experience. This inspired me to pursue a nursing career and give back to my community, providing the same family-centered patient care we were given during our NICU stay.

Despite the amazing care we received, our daughter passed away from a rare genetic condition. I have her to thank for inspiring my passion and for me to use this lived experience to guide my patient interactions; a unique patient perspective not all providers have.

Before becoming an NP, I worked as a registered nurse (RN) in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I guess in some ways, I came full circle from my initial experience that inspired my passion for nursing. I really feel the stars aligned and guided me to a career I was meant to be a part of.

Q: What encouraged you to pursue graduate studies and become a nurse practitioner?  

During my undergraduate program, one of my instructors was an NP and she sparked my interest for autonomous advanced practice nursing, but I needed experience as an RN before pursuing a graduate degree. As I progressed through the first years of my RN practice, my desire to learn and do more remained. My RN position in the NICU provided the opportunity to work alongside two wonderful neonatal nurse practitioners. Both were amazing mentors and encouraged me to pursue my desire to advance my scope of practice.

I applied to the University of Saskatchewan (USask) nurse practitioner program and I truly feel this was the best decision I have ever made. Although graduate education is demanding and tiresome, it also provides immense opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

Q: Can you describe your time as a graduate student – what was the highlight, most difficult part of the program, etc.?  

I loved my time in the program! My highlight was clinical placements. USask provides diverse and varied clinical experiences. Every preceptor had a unique approach to NP practice. The preceptors were knowledgeable, approachable, and skilled in their clinical areas. I still remember one of my hardest preceptors. To this day, I hear her in my mind asking, “Why is that the right answer?”. I learned so much about NP practice, safe patient care, and clinical guidelines from her. I didn’t realize the impact she had on me until I was a practicing NP.

As an adult learner, the delivery of the program (Webex classes, in-person experiences, and a structured curriculum), was the learning model best suited for my needs. USask provided the ability to learn through simulation labs, in-person patient experiences, and direct hands-on teaching from experienced nurse practitioners. The education was incredible.

The most difficult part of the program was balancing student and personal responsibilities. I had a young toddler when I started the program. Being a mother, RN, and NP student at the same time was a struggle. I also had two surgeries during my program, one of which had numerous complications. The faculty was very supportive during this time, providing guidance, additional time for assignment completions, and connected me with student resources to ensure I successfully completed my degree. I didn’t feel like a number – the faculty care about the wellbeing of their students and strive to provide every opportunity for success.

Q: Describe your last two years in practice as a nurse practitioner.

My passion is Women’s Health. I am a member of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. I have completed both my pessary and intrauterine device (IUD) education, I sit on the board for the Saskatchewan Cervical Screening Task Force as the nurse practitioner representative for the province, and I have completed HIV and Hepatitis C provider education. I was recently appointed to the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association Council as a member at large representing advanced practice nursing, am a member of the Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners, and I currently sit on the Nurse Practitioner Education Conference Board, planning the annual educational conference for NPs within Saskatchewan.

In partnership with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Saskatchewan Cervical Screening Task Force, I am part of the knowledge translation committee, where I am currently developing provider education material for the new Saskatchewan cervical screening guidelines coming this fall. My role is to provide education to health care providers across Saskatchewan regarding the new guidelines.

Q: If someone is considering becoming a nurse practitioner, what would you tell them?

Graduate studies requires determination and perseverance, but there is tremendous value practicing within an autonomous nursing role. NP practice within Canada is continuously evolving, requiring continuing education, so you will be a lifelong learner within the realm of medicine.

Being an NP incorporates an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, so don’t be afraid to network - building a supportive team is essential. We rely on our partnerships and networks, including pharmacists, specialists, physiotherapists, and our fellow NP colleagues to be successful in practice.

NPs practice through the application of a nursing lens, drawing from our RN experience and bedside nursing skills to provide a unique perspective to the practice of medicine. I would encourage exploring RN positions that provide a comprehensive practice experience before applying to the NP program.

And finally, the learning curve between RN and NP scope is greater than I initially realized. Take every opportunity to ask questions during your studies and don’t forget to enjoy the graduate journey!

Q: Congratulations! You were recently recognized by the International Nurses Association as a Top Nurse Practitioner. What does it mean to you to receive this award?

To be recognized within my practice as a health care leader is astonishing. I am honoured and blessed to have been given the opportunity to be educated as an NP and share my passion with the people of Saskatchewan.

I contribute my accomplishments to the guidance and support of my colleagues, preceptors, and patients. Each experience and patient interaction has taught me how to provide excellent patient care. I believe in partnering with my patients in their health care experience, learning from them, and creating a management plan that suits the unique needs of each patient.

Q: Outside of being a nurse practitioner, what else are you passionate about?

Giving back to the community is something I really value and through my actions, I hope to inspire my daughter to also give back as she grows. Over the years, I have volunteered and taken part in many fundraising events across Saskatchewan, including Muscular Dystrophy Canada, Regina Humane Society, Perinatal Loss Walk Regina, and Run for the Cure. I also sit on the Board of Directors for the Montessori School of Regina.

I am a from a large Métis family of six children; the first person within my family to attend University and complete a degree. This is an accomplishment I am very proud of, as Métis and Indigenous students are underrepresented within University environments.