Associate Director Phone: 777-8168 E-mail: sfitzgerald@cns.nf.ca Office 1030 Sharon graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing from Memorial University School of Nursing. She obtained a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Memorial University. Sharon’s practice background includes adult nursing in medical-surgical and psychiatric settings. For 22 years she worked in basic nursing education in the role of educator and administrator. Since 2001 her main focus has been continuing nursing education. Currently she holds the position of Associate Director, Continuing Nursing Studies. In this position Sharon has a mandate to develop and maintain competency of RNs and LPNs across Newfoundland and Labrador by providing Re-entry, Professional Development and Post Basic Programs. This involves facilitating the development and delivery of programs based on needs identified through ongoing provincial needs assessments. Another major responsibility of this position is the administration of the Practical Nursing and Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Programs. For the past 4 years Sharon has been actively engaged as team member in an international project: Promoting Primary Health Care Nursing in Central America. This is a CIDA – funded project between the Centre for Nursing studies, Canadian Nursing Association and the countries of Nicaragua, Guatemala.

Awards and Honors

 '2005'              Appointed Chair, Practical Nursing Advisory Committee

Research/CIDA Funded Projects

'2007'                 Provincial Needs Assessment: : To Determine the Continuing Education Needs, Challenges & Supports of Registered Nurses in NL

'2006'                 Provincial Needs Assessment:  "To Determine the Continuing Education Needs, Challenges & Supports of LPNs in NL"

'2002-2008'       "Promoting Primary Health Care in Central America".  CIDA Funded Project in Central America, $4 million.

Publications '2005-2006'

 "Credit Recognition for RN Post Basic Programs".  Association of Registered Nurses of

Newfoundland and Labrador Access.

 "Opportunities for LPN Continuing Education".  Council for Licensed Practical Nurses

Pulse

Presentations '2005-2006'

 Benefits of Continuing Education:  Presentation to Perioperative Program, Eastern Health.

 Workshop on Preceptorship & Program Evaluation:  ENEC Faculty, Guatemala.

 Distance Education, Why it works/Getting Started:  Faculty of Medicine, San Carlos University, Guatemala City.

 ARNNL Conference:  Continuing Nursing Education:  Providing Opportunities to Study beyond the Entry Level.

 Challenges & Benefits of Distance Education:  School of Nursing Faculty, Cobán, Guatemala.

Innovations in Teaching

 Web CT Instructional Workshop

Professional/Community Contributions '2005-2006'

 Department of Health RN & LPN Scope of Practice Committee, Member

 ARNNL Focus Group:  Revisions to Standards for Nursing Practice in NL

 ARNNL Working Group:  Enhancing Services for Seniors

 ARNNL Working Group to provide feedback to Provincial Government on "Healthy Aging for All in the 21^st Century".

 ARNNL Working Group:  Policy paper to Advise on Long Term Care and Supportive Services Strategy for Seniors.

 CAUSE, Canadian Association of University Continuing Education, Member.

 ARNNL Nurse Practitioner Approval Committee, Member.

 ARCASN Atlantic Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, Member.

 HCEANL HealthCare Educators Association of NL, Member.

 CLPN College for Licensed Practical Nurses Education Committee, Member.

 CLPN Strategic Planning Sessions

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