2011 Rita McGregor Excellence in Nursing Education / Preceptor Award

Recipient: COLLEEN SWENSON, LPN

Presented at the 2011 CLPNA Spring Conference at the Celebration and Awards Dinner by Rita McGregor, retired Director of Professional Practice of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).

by Rita McGregor

Colleen Swenson, LPN (left) receiving the 2011 Rita McGregor Excellence in Nursing Education / Preceptor Award from Rita McGregor. (Photography: Carolyn Black)

Colleen Swenson, LPN, has always been well respected and recognized within the community stream of nursing as an Educator and Leader.

In 1992, she was the Coordinator for a site providing care to a number of clients requiring additional supports to remain in a community setting. In this role, she over saw the direct care provisions provided by both LPNs and Health Care Aides. Her focus on quality and client choice was demonstrated by ensuring best practice and enlisting feedback from the clients and then using that information to develop ongoing education for the staff. She has always taken a “true client-focused” case management approach in her practice.

Recently, Colleen joined AHS Integrated Supportive Living, Clinical & Consultative Services and her manager states, “She was truly a rare find!”. Initially starting out as a colleague, her vast wealth of experience and commitment to our team’s growth had her assuming the role of Team Lead within a few short months.

She holds certification as an Instructor/Trainer in many courses such as Acquired Brain Injury, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and CPR, and is also a NorQuest College Tutor for the Health Care Aide program. This LPN continually challenges herself to grow professionally and successfully became a trained investigator for our client complaint process.

She has recently been approached by a Consultant to assist with program development for specific health care specialties and they are currently developing Senior Leader sessions, for staff working with addictions and dementia clients.

An LPN coworker says,

"Working with (Colleen Swenson) is a motivating experience. Her enthusiasm and energy are profoundly contagious. She is extremely organized, hardworking and never loses her unfailing positive attitude! She is our fearless leader! It is gratifying to find a leader/educator that is so keen to learn from those she leads as she is to share her own ideas!”

This LPNs passion is obvious as she greets each day with a smile, patience, respect and a twinkle in her eye. She is kind, approachable and well-liked by all who meet her. Her integrity is demonstrated daily in her interactions and desires to provide the best learning opportunities for staff. Student evaluations further confirm this.

Colleen Swenson is a remarkable woman and outstanding LPN who is greatly deserving of this recognition by winning the Rita McGregor Excellence in Nursing Education/Preceptor Award.

NOTE: Colleen Swenson was not able to attend the 2011 Celebration & Awards Dinner and received her Award at a later date.

2011 Rita McGregor Excellence in Nursing Education / Preceptor Award

Recipient: COLLEEN SWENSON, LPN

Presented at the 2011 CLPNA Spring Conference at the Celebration and Awards Dinner by Rita McGregor, retired Director of Professional Practice of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).

by Rita McGregor

Colleen Swenson, LPN (left) receiving the 2011 Rita McGregor Excellence in Nursing Education / Preceptor Award from Rita McGregor. (Photography: Carolyn Black)

Colleen Swenson, LPN, has always been well respected and recognized within the community stream of nursing as an Educator and Leader.

In 1992, she was the Coordinator for a site providing care to a number of clients requiring additional supports to remain in a community setting. In this role, she over saw the direct care provisions provided by both LPNs and Health Care Aides. Her focus on quality and client choice was demonstrated by ensuring best practice and enlisting feedback from the clients and then using that information to develop ongoing education for the staff. She has always taken a “true client-focused” case management approach in her practice.

Recently, Colleen joined AHS Integrated Supportive Living, Clinical & Consultative Services and her manager states, “She was truly a rare find!”. Initially starting out as a colleague, her vast wealth of experience and commitment to our team’s growth had her assuming the role of Team Lead within a few short months.

She holds certification as an Instructor/Trainer in many courses such as Acquired Brain Injury, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and CPR, and is also a NorQuest College Tutor for the Health Care Aide program. This LPN continually challenges herself to grow professionally and successfully became a trained investigator for our client complaint process.

She has recently been approached by a Consultant to assist with program development for specific health care specialties and they are currently developing Senior Leader sessions, for staff working with addictions and dementia clients.

An LPN coworker says,

"Working with (Colleen Swenson) is a motivating experience. Her enthusiasm and energy are profoundly contagious. She is extremely organized, hardworking and never loses her unfailing positive attitude! She is our fearless leader! It is gratifying to find a leader/educator that is so keen to learn from those she leads as she is to share her own ideas!”

This LPNs passion is obvious as she greets each day with a smile, patience, respect and a twinkle in her eye. She is kind, approachable and well-liked by all who meet her. Her integrity is demonstrated daily in her interactions and desires to provide the best learning opportunities for staff. Student evaluations further confirm this.

Colleen Swenson is a remarkable woman and outstanding LPN who is greatly deserving of this recognition by winning the Rita McGregor Excellence in Nursing Education/Preceptor Award.

NOTE: Colleen Swenson was not able to attend the 2011 Celebration & Awards Dinner and received her Award at a later date.