Darlene Vander Laan, RPN
1. Statement of Intent:
A little about myself:
* Graduated with a ‘Diploma with Distinction’ from Grant MacEwan College (MacEwan University) Psychiatric Nursing Program, in 2004
* Recipient of the CRPNA ‘Student Award for General Proficiency in all Aspects of Psychiatric Nursing’
* Have been employed as a RPN for 13 years, at Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury (CCMHBI), primarily on an Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Admissions unit, with additional experience working with clients on a Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Unit. I have also been employed for 12 years, as casual nursing staff, at the Red Deer Remand Centre Health Care Unit.
* Recently certified in Crisis and Trauma Response, through the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba.
* Currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Post-Diploma Degree Program, through MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta
Why I am interested in serving as a CRPNA Provincial Council Member:
Through working with my clients and their families over the past 13 years, I have been inspired to go forward in my profession as a RPN. I have continued to challenge myself in the life-long learning process, through both informal (personal readings, numerous workshops and on-line training) and formal education. I am passionate about finding ways to improve the lives of our clients and their families, and in developing cohesive, supportive and effective teams and leaders in Psychiatric Nursing. It is my hope that by serving as a CRPNA Provincial Council Member I will be better positioned to serve our clientele, and the public, by highlighting areas that may need improvement and through the application of best-evidence-based practices. I hope to thereby empower our clients and improve their recovery process, as well as empower staff in their efforts to work with our clients.
I am sincerely honoured and consider it a great privilege to work as a RPN with my clients and their families during the difficult times in their lives. I would consider it an excellent opportunity to become more involved in this profession, as an active member of the CRPNA Provincial Council.
2. Volunteer and/or Professional Activities:
Current membership in The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) and United Nurses of Alberta (UNA)
Volunteer Experiences
I have been volunteering for Canadian Red Cross within the Health Equipment Loans Program (HELP) and Disaster Management Program, since 2014. Prior to that, I have also had experience volunteering as: Board Member for the Conservative Party of Canada, Wetaskiwin EDA; Board Member for HOPE Christian Counseling Centre; canvasser for the annual Diabetes Association Campaign; Camp Nurse/Counselor at Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp; Basketball Facilitator at Alberta Hospital Ponoka (now CCMHBI); and as Art Teacher for various schools.
3. Special Skills, Abilities and Experiences that will benefit the CRPNA Provincial Council or Committees:
* I am passionate about working to the full scope of practice as a RPN, including highlighting areas that may restrict the scope of practice or may need improvement, and in finding equitable solutions to these issues.
* I am interested in developing a work-force of RPNs within employment settings, who would be able to teach and support each other, and various co-workers, of psychiatric nursing standards of practice, knowledge and skills, to improve team cohesiveness and improve the quality of care clients receive.
* I am passionate about giving the best-evidence-based care to clients, and have a strong desire to apply appropriate policies, procedures, and ethically sound principles.
* I am a positive and supportive team player.
* I have pursued on-going, life-long-learning throughout my career as a RPN.
* My studies have included the importance of a ‘Culturally-sensitive' approach to mental health care.
* I have researched the differences between the Codes of Ethics for LPNs, RNs and RPNs.
* I have studied the issue of bullying in the field of nursing, completed a research paper on this topic, and have been able to utilize and share this information with my colleagues.
* I have successfully worked through a ‘workplace health and safety’ issue, which resulted in safer working conditions for all staff.
* I have experienced and identified areas that need improvement when: submitting a Professional Responsibility Committee report; when accessing Alberta Health Services (AHS) legal team in regards to client issues; with issues surrounding client admissions to a psychiatric facility, under ‘the Public Health Act’ versus ‘the Alberta Mental Health Act’; and with the need for readily accessible (and appropriate) assistance and clear communication, for nursing staff during and immediately following various crisis situations, especially during evening/night/weekend hours within the psychiatric hospital setting.
* I have current, additional training in:
o Critical Incident Group Debriefing
o Dealing with Difficult People
o Counselling Skills – Introduction & overview
o Anxiety – Practical Intervention Strategies
o Trauma – Strategies for Resolving the Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress
o Walking Through Grief – Helping Others Deal with Loss
o Depression – Practical Intervention Strategies
o Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (verbal de-escalation strategies)
o And webinars in: Ethical Decision Making; Wellness Strategies – for the Helping Professional; Stress Management; Crisis Response Planning; and Trauma Informed Care.
4. Any Actual, Potential, Real or Perceived Conflict of Interest:
I do not have any matter which may affect my ability to act in the best interest of the CRPNA, or which may be or appear to be compromised by an outside interest.